# Endowed Awards & Distinguished Lectures ## Endowed Awards & Distinguished Lectures IMPACT Celebrating leadership, discovery, and mentorship across the HSDM community. ![Lecture hall with attendees ](/sites/g/files/omnuum6001/files/styles/hwp_21_9__1920x825/public/2025-11/IMG_5135%20copy.jpg?h=63e82b76&itok=K7do1A1i) Harvard School of Dental Medicine’s highest honors recognize individuals whose achievements embody the values that have guided HSDM for more than a century — leadership in science and education, a spirit of innovation, and a deep commitment to mentorship and service. These signature programs honor those who are shaping the future of oral health while inspiring the next generation of dental leaders. Through lectures, recognition, and celebration, we highlight the remarkable impact of our alumni, faculty, and global collaborators. ## The Goldhaber Award Lecture and Award Ceremony ![headshot](/sites/g/files/omnuum6001/files/styles/hwp_1_1__360x360_scale/public/2025-11/goldhader.jpg?itok=7BSME7kx) Dr. Paul GoldhaberAmong HSDM’s most prestigious recognitions is the **Paul Goldhaber Distinguished Lecture & Award**, presented annually to a scientist or educator of distinction whose work in dentistry or medicine has earned international recognition. Established in 1989, the award commemorates the late dean emeritus **Dr.** **Paul Goldhaber**, a pioneering leader in dental education and biomedical research. Dr. Goldhaber helped chart the course of modern dental medicine through influential leadership roles with the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, the American Dental Education Association, the International Association of Dental Research, and the Institute of Medicine. As a scientist, he was renowned for advancing knowledge of bone biology and the mechanisms of bone resorption in diseases such as periodontitis, rheumatoid arthritis, and osteosarcoma — discoveries that reshaped how oral and systemic conditions are understood and treated. Today, the Goldhaber Distinguished Lecture & Award continues his legacy, spotlighting those whose work exemplifies excellence in scientific discovery and the transformative power of mentorship. 2025 Awardee ### Dr. Luisa DiPietro Dr. Luisa DiPietro, a global leader in wound healing and tissue regeneration. A Professor of Periodontics and Director of the Center for Wound Healing and Tissue Regeneration at UIC, she has spent more than two decades advancing the science of oral tissue repair while mentoring the next generation of clinician-scientists. Learn more about Dr. DiPietro east ![Group photo ](/sites/g/files/omnuum6001/files/styles/hwp_1_1__480x480/public/2025-11/IMG_3011.JPG?h=1ff446f1&itok=rBgECRTq) ## Past awardees [### Leader in tissue regeneration research named Goldhaber Award recipient ](/news/2025/10/leader-tissue-regeneration-research-named-goldhaber-award-recipient) October 14, 2025 The Award recognizes outstanding research accomplishments in oral and systemic health ![headshot](/sites/g/files/omnuum6001/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2025-10/Luisa%20D..jpeg?itok=hXG9jTWP) [### Modern implant dentistry focus of Goldhaber Lecture ](/news/2024/09/modern-implant-dentistry-focus-goldhaber-lecture) September 11, 2024 Dr. Daniel Buser, an internationally renowned implant surgeon, will deliver the 2024 Goldhaber Lecture at HSDM, recognized for pioneering work in Guided Bone Regeneration (GBR) and advancing implant dentistry. ![Daniel Buser headshot.](/sites/g/files/omnuum6001/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2024-09/Buser.jpg?itok=qSoilYh-) [### Goldhaber Award honors distinguished craniofacial researcher ](/news/goldhaber-award-honors-distinguished-craniofacial-researcher) September 22, 2023 Dr. Yang Chai, a leader in the field of craniofacial development, has been named this year’s Goldhaber Award recipient. The Goldhaber Award recognizes an individual who is held at the highest international esteem in their field related to oral and... ![0-dr.chai_.png](/sites/g/files/omnuum6001/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/dental/files/0-dr.chai_.png?h=3a80d2d8&itok=G2fS-avL) [### Goldhaber Award Honors Dr. Peter Polverini ](/news/goldhaber-award-honors-dr-peter-polverini) November 08, 2022 Peter Polverini, DMSc77, PD77, a distinguished alumnus of HSDM and a leader in the field of vascular and cancer biology, has been selected as this year’s Goldhaber Award recipient. Polverini currently serves as the Jonathan Taft Distinguished University... ![Headshot of Dr. Polverini](/sites/g/files/omnuum6001/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/dental/files/polverini-award.jpg?h=d3119364&itok=qq4bInnR) arrow\_back arrow\_forward ### 1990–2024 awardees expand\_more **2024** — Daniel Buser **2023** — Yang Chai **2022** — Peter Polverini **2021** — Ichiro Nishimura **2020** — *No recipient* **2019** — *No recipient* **2018** — Paul Sharpe **2017** — Anne Marie Kuijpers-Jagtman **2016** — Laurie McCauley **2015** — Teruko Takano Yamamoto **2014** — *No recipient* **2013** — Ray Williams **2012** — John Greenspan **2011** — Martha Somerman **2010** — Irma Thesleff **2009** — Per-Ingvar Brånemark **2008** — Lawrence Tabak **2007** — Robert Genco **2006** — George Zarb **2005** — Walter Cohen **2004** — Sigmund Socransky **2003** — Charles Bertolami **2002** — Marjorie Jeffcoat **2001** — John Greene **2000** — Gideon Rodan **1999** — Harold Slavkin **1998** — Robert Ledley **1997** — Robert Gorlin **1996** — Jeanne Sinkord **1995** — Ronald Gibbons **1994** — Harold Loe **1993** — *No recipient* **1992** — Jens Jørgen Pindborg **1991** — Joseph Henry **1990** — Eiko Sairenji --- ## Professor Donald B. Giddon Memorial Lecture in Behavioral Medicine and Dentistry ![giddon.jpg](/sites/g/files/omnuum6001/files/styles/hwp_1_1__360x360_scale/public/dental/files/giddon.jpg?itok=M9CKf00z) Dr. Donald B. GiddonThe **Professor Donald B. Giddon Memorial Lecture in Behavioral Medicine and Dentistry** honors the legacy of the late **Donald B. Giddon, DMD59**, **PD62**, a distinguished scholar, educator, and advocate whose work transformed how oral health is understood within the broader context of human health and behavior. Trained in both dentistry and psychology, Dr. Giddon helped pioneer an interdisciplinary model of care that recognizes dentists as oral physicians who contribute to patients’ overall well-being. Over more than six decades in academic medicine — including leadership roles at NYU College of Dentistry, Tufts, Brown, the University of Florida, and Harvard School of Dental Medicine — Dr. Giddon advanced research on the relationships between behavioral factors, stress, and oral disease. He was known for his intellectual rigor, generosity, and an unwavering commitment to elevating the profession through scientific discovery and education. This annual lecture celebrates his enduring influence on teaching, research, and clinical practice, and continues to highlight the critical role of behavioral sciences in advancing oral and craniofacial health. 2026 Awardee ### Dr. Jennifer Webster-Cyriaque Dr. Jennifer Webster-Cyriaque is the acting director of the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) at the National Institutes of Health. An accomplished clinician, researcher, and leader, she joined NIDCR after serving for more than two decades as a faculty member at the University of North Carolina’s schools of dentistry and medicine. ![headshot](/sites/g/files/omnuum6001/files/styles/hwp_1_1__480x480/public/2026-02/Jennifer_Webster_Cyriaque_headshot.jpg?h=16c51636&itok=1cSjSBEX) ### Past awardees expand\_more **2025** — Dr. Paul Krebsbach, **lecture:** *"New Insights into Oral Cancer: How Mammalian EAK-7 Triggers Alternative mTOR Signaling"* **2024** — Dr. Janice Lee, **lecture:** *“A Paradigm Shift – Modular Integration to Predict Facial Development”* **2023** — Dr. Tanya Smith, **lecture:** “*The Tales Teeth Tell**”*** **2022** — Dr. Lisa Jamieson, **lecture:** *“Indigenous oral health inequities and the role of intersectionality”* **2021** — Dr. Richard Watt, **lecture:** *"The Lancet Commission on Global Oral Health"* **2020** — *Cancelled* **2019** — Dr. Daniel Zlott, **lecture:** *“Pharmacy’s Future: A Look Back– What Dentistry Can Learn from Pharmacy’s Experience”* **2018** — Dr. Bruce Donoff, **lecture:** *“Immunity to Change vs. the Discomfort of Thought”* **2017** — Dr. Donald Giddon, **lecture:** *"Revolution Redux, 150 Years After Beginning The First University Dental School”* **2016** — Dr. Marko Vujicic, **lecture:** *“What Dentistry Can Learn from Wayne Gretzky”* **2015** — Dr. Bruce McEwen, **lecture:** *“The Brain on Stress–Epigenetic Mechanisms of Brain Plasticity Through the Life Course”* **2014** — Dr. Wendy Mouradian, **lecture:** *“The Intersection of Dentistry and Medicine in the Future”* **2013** — Carroll-Ann Trotman, BDS, **lecture:** *"Targeting and Improving Soft Tissue Functional Outcomes for Craniofacial Rehabilitation”* **2012** — Dr. Stephanos Kyrkanindes, **lecture:** *"How Pain Affects Growth in Young Children"* **2011** — Dr. Robert C. Coghill, **lecture:** “*Brain Mechanism Supporting the Construction of Sensory Aspects of Pain”* **2010** — Dr. Victor Johnston, **lecture:** *"Facial Beauty and Sexual Selection"* **2009** — Dr. Janice Kiecolt-Glaser, **lecture:** *“How Stress Kills”* ## Save the Date: 2026 Student Research Day The Professor Donald B. Giddon Memorial Lecture in Behavioral Medicine and Dentistry traditionally concludes Student Research Day**,** a signature HSDM event celebrating scholarship and discovery. Each year, graduating students present their research through interactive poster sessions, demonstrating the breadth of inquiry that advances dental education, research, and patient care. Join us for next year’s Student Research Day and the Giddon Lecture. [### Student Research Day ](/event/student-research-day)April 7, 2026 | All day | REB Lobby In Person Student Research Day is an annual event where graduating dental students showcase their scholarly work, engage with peers' research, and connect with faculty and staff through interactive poster sessions. ![student presenting to attendees](/sites/g/files/omnuum6001/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2025-10/Research%20Day%202026.jpg?itok=_k0pBdKN)