Director of Forsyth Institutes Center for Clinical and Translational Research wins Ross Award
ADA recognition honors significant contributions in clinical research
Las Vegas — The director of the Center for Clinical and Translational Research at the Forsyth Institute has won the American Dental Association’s 2020-21 Norton M. Ross Award for Excellence in Clinical Research.
“I am truly honored and humbled to receive such a prestigious award as a recognition of my dedication to clinical and translational research,” said Hatice Hasturk, D.D.S., Ph.D. “I am very fortunate to work with a wonderful team, colleagues and students who all have contributed to the success of our Center for Clinical and Translational Research at the Forsyth Institute. I have a deep passion for oral biology and dental research, overall public health and the education of our young generation of dentists. The Norton M. Ross Award for Excellence in Clinical Research recognition motivates me further to continue with this passion.”
In a letter announcing Dr. Hasturk’s selection, ADA President Daniel J. Klemmedson, D.D.S., M.D., recognized her “seminal work on the link between periodontitis, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes” and the clinical trials she has led “into some of today’s most pressing issues, including the potential link between periodontitis and Alzheimer’s disease.”
Dr. Hasturk has authored more than 100 articles in peer-reviewed journals, and as director of the Center for Clinical and Translational Research, she oversees the translation of oral health research into clinical use. She is also an adjunct associate professor at the Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine and a diplomate of the American Board of Periodontology.
“All in all, a truly impressive résumé,” Dr. Klemmedson said. “Your influential and forward-thinking work places you among the leaders of the profession.”
Dr. Hasturk was honored Oct. 11 during an awards ceremony at SmileCon, together with 2019 winner Laurie K. McCauley, D.D.S., Ph.D., dean of the University of Michigan School of Dentistry.
Presented annually since 1991, the Ross Award recognizes an individual who has made significant contributions in clinical investigations that have advanced the diagnosis, treatment or prevention of craniofacial, oral or dental diseases, as well as outstanding research endeavors in other areas. Because of complications brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Hasturk’s award spans two years instead of the typical one year.
The award honors the memory of Dr. Norton Ross, a dentist and pharmacologist who spent most of his career in academic and research positions and elevated clinical research to higher scientific standards. It is supported by Johnson & Johnson Consumer Inc. Recipients receive $5,000 and a plaque.
For more information on the award, visit ADA.org.
