Dr. Dianne Rekow, Professor and Chair of the Department of Basic Science and Craniofacial Biology and Director of Translational Research, was elected President of the American Association for Dental Research (AADR) at the AADR/IADR annual meeting in March.

Dr. Rekow says that her objective as President is to capitalize on the creativity of researchers from multiple disciplines to develop approaches that will optimize collaborations, reenergize connections among research groups, and expand the dynamics of the AADR to match the needs of science and the membership.

"AADR is an exceptional organization of energetic and productive researchers," said Dr. Rekow. "It facilitates the exchange of ideas and innovations among scientists from different disciplines in academia and industry. It creates opportunities for synergistic research leading to paradigm shifts and critical advances aimed at improving oral, craniofacial and systemic health. I am humbled and honored to serve in this leadership role, and hope that our new initiatives spur ever more exciting advances."

In March, Dr. Rekow presented testimony before Congress on behalf of the AADR-ADEA in support of government funding for oral health research being conducted by the NIH and the NIDCR; general and pediatric dentistry residency training programs; and access to dental care initiatives.