Periodontist Dr. Jung-Chul Park from South Korea has been named the winner of the 18th André Schroeder Research Prize. This annual prize awarded by the International Team for Implantology (ITI) carries a cash endowment of 20,000 Swiss francs and was presented on April 6 during the ITI Congress North America in Chicago.
Dr. Park received the award for his study on the “acquisition of human alveolar bone-derived stromal cells using minimally irrigated implant osteotomy: in vitro and in vivo evaluation”. Together with his co-authors Jane C. Kim, Yong-Tae Kim, Seong-Ho Choi, Kyoo-Sung Cho, Gun-Il Im, Byung-Soo Kim und Chang-Sung Kim, Dr. Park aimed to evaluate the osteogenic differentiation capacity of human alveolar bone-derived stromal cells obtained from the bone chips trapped within drill flutes during implant osteotomies.
“Stem cells are regarded as the future of medical and dental treatment. We all know that this area still needs lots of research before we can actually utilize the stem cells obtained from the patient, however, it is very important to know that these cells are relatively easy to access. Now we will have to see what clinicians and researchers do with this. I expect very interesting ideas to follow our study”, commented Dr. Park.
After studying biochemistry, Dr. Park graduated from Yonsei University in Seoul with a degree in dentistry in 2005 and was awarded his PhD from the Dental College at Yonsei University in 2012. He is currently in London, England at the UCL Eastman Dental Institute taking part in the ITI Scholarship program.
“My team and I are very honored that our work was judged to be the best by the ITI Research Committee”, said Dr. Park who accepted the prize from ITI President Daniel Buser in front of an audience of 1,200 congress participants.
About the André Schroeder Research Prize
The André Schroeder Research Prize is awarded annually and carries a cash endowment of 20,000 Swiss francs. It is one of the most prestigious awards in the field of implant dentistry and is awarded to independent researchers for the advancement of dental research and development. The aim is to promote new scientific findings in implant dentistry, oral tissue regeneration and related fields.
The award was established more than 20 years ago and is presented in honor of the late Professor André Schroeder (1918-2004), the founding ITI President, who pioneered implant dentistry and whose lifework contributed significantly to modern dentistry.
The 2014 André Schroeder Research Prize will be presented at the ITI World Symposium in Geneva, Switzerland. Submissions are being accepted until October 15, 2013. Click here for more information.
