Dr. Elliot V. Hersh, Professor of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and Pharmacology, University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Science, Philadelphia, USA, has been named the 2007 recipient of the Pharmacology, Therapeutics, & Toxicology Research Award, presented today during the Opening Ceremonies of the 85th General Session of the International Association for Dental Research (IADR), convening at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center
Over the years, Dr. Hersh has sustained an active program of funded research in the areas of analgesics and local anaesthetics used in dentistry. He is an author of numerous peer-reviewed articles in the scientific literature, and has contributed book chapters and performed editorial duties for various textbooks. In particular, Dr. Hersh has been very active in studying non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, from both clinical and basic science perspectives. Most recently, Dr. Hersh has investigated the local anaesthetic, articaine, and one outcome of that work is its recent approval by the US Food & Drug Administration.
Dr. Hersh has been very active in the IADR. In addition to regular presentations of research abstracts, he has been a speaker in several symposia. He has also organized symposia in conjunction with other IADR research groups, including one on antibiotic prophylaxis for infective endocarditis. He has served in every leadership role of the Pharmacology, Therapeutics, & Toxicology Group. Overall, Dr. Hersh has made an outstanding contribution to the field of clinical pharmacology. His contribution in research has guided the use of drugs in dental practice, which, in turn, has benefited the public.
The IADR Pharmacology, Therapeutics, & Toxicology Research Award consists of a cash prize and a plaque. Supported by Wyeth Consumer Healthcare, it is one of the Distinguished Scientist Awards conferred annually by the IADR, representing the highest honor the IADR can bestow.