Alexandria, VA, USA – The International Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research (IADR) has announced Elia Beniash as the 2024 IADR Distinguished Scientist Award in Basic Research in Biological Mineralization. Beniash, from the University of Pittsburg, PA, USA, was recognized during the Opening Ceremonies of the 102nd General Session of the IADR, which was held in conjunction with the 53rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research and the 48th Annual Meeting of the Canadian Association for Dental Research, on March 13-16, 2024, in New Orleans, LA, USA.
Beniash is a Professor and Chair in the Department of Oral Biology, and co-director of the Oral and Craniofacial Sciences graduate program at the University of Pittsburg School of Dental Medicine. He holds an MSc in Zoology and Biology from the St. Petersburg State University in Russia and a PhD in Structural Biology and Chemistry from the Weizmann Institute of Science in Rehovot, Israel.
From 2002-2007, Beniash was a staff member at the Forsyth Institute in Boston, Massachusetts, and an instructor at the Harvard University School of Dental Medicine. He is also a member of the American Chemical Society and the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Beniash’s scientific interests include biomineralization, the structural/functional relationships in supramolecular assemblies, bioinspired materials, and tissue engineering.
In addition to more than 100 peer reviewed papers and book chapters, Baniash’s article, “Transient Amorphous Calcium Phosphate in Forming Enamel” received the Journal of Structural Biology Top Cited Article Award (2009-2011). His work, which has resulted in 11 patents as well as invited lectures in national and international conferences, has contributed to the understanding of changes occurring in mineral and organic phases during initial stages of enamel biomineralization processes in vivo.
The IADR Distinguished Scientist Award in Basic Research in Biological Mineralization is supported by Unilever Oral Care and is one of the 17 IADR Distinguished Scientist Awards and it is one of the highest honors bestowed by IADR. The award consists of a monetary award and a plaque, and is designed to stimulate, encourage, and recognize basic research in the field of biological mineralization.
About IADR
The International Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research (IADR) is a nonprofit organization with a mission to drive dental, oral, and craniofacial research for health and well-being worldwide. IADR represents the individual scientists, clinician-scientists, dental professionals, and students based in academic, government, non-profit, and private-sector institutions who share our mission. Learn more at www.iadr.org.