Ann Arbor, MI — January 7, 2010 — Dr. William Giannobile, a professor of dentistry at the U-M School of Dentistry and director of the Michigan Center for Oral Health Research, has been named editor-in-chief of the Journal of Dental Research. The monthly magazine is a major peer-reviewed scientific journal of the International Association for Dental Research, an organization with nearly 11,000 members worldwide.

The journal disseminates new knowledge and information on all sciences relevant to dentistry and to the oral cavity. The worldwide publication is read by dentists; oral, dental, and craniofacial researchers and clinical scientists; oral and dental policy makers; dental educators; and research scientists. Giannobile, who begins his five-year term in April, will be responsible for a range of editorial duties including reviewing and accepting manuscripts.

“It’s a great honor and privilege to be named and to serve in this important role,” said Giannobile, who is a William K. and Mary Anne Najjar Endowed Professor of Dentistry at the School of Dentistry. Giannobile has had editorial responsibilities previously, including being an associate editor of two journals and serving on the editorial board of several publications including the Journal of Periodontal Research, the Journal of Clinical Periodontology, and the International Journal of Periodontics and Restorative Dentistry.

Giannobile received his dental degree from the University of Missouri in 1991. He earned both a Doctor of Medical Sciences degree and a certificate in periodontology from the Harvard School of Dental Medicine in 1996 and completed postdoctoral training in molecular biology at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute and the Harvard Medical School in 1998. He began his teaching career at the University of Michigan School of Dentistry in 1998 as an assistant professor. Currently, he is a professor in the Department of Periodontics and Oral Medicine and a professor of biomedical engineering at the College of Engineering.

In addition to teaching in classrooms and clinics and conducting research, Giannobile is an advisor to undergraduates, graduates, master’s students, and postdoctoral fellows; has authored or coauthored more than 100 articles for research and scientific publications, more than a dozen textbook chapters, and more than 60 abstracts. He holds three patents for his work and has made more than 120 presentations at scientific and research forums worldwide. He completed his sabbatical year in 2006 as a visiting professor at the Biotechnology Institute of Regenerative Medicine at the University of Genoa Medical School in Genoa, Italy, and at the School of Dentistry at the University of Milan, Italy.

IADR President David Williams said, “Dr. Giannobile was appointed editor-in-chief after an extensive international search process. He comes to JDR with an exceptional research and science background, and I’m certain that he will continue the standard of excellence that has been set by previous editors of the Journal.”

American Association for Dental Research President Grayson Marshall agreed. “Dr. Giannobile is highly regarded throughout the dental, oral and craniofacial research community,” he said. “We are honored to work with such a talented scientist and I trust that the JDR will be in good hands under his editorship.”

Giannobile succeeds Anthony Smith who has served as editor-in-chief of JDR since 2004.