Jung-Chul Park wins 2013 Andre Schroeder Research Prize

Basel, Switzerland — 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, and 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.RELATED |American Academy of Periodontology issues report on peri-implant disease risk factors, diagnoses, and clinical implicationsRELATED |I'll have a maxillary anterior implant to go; please hold the periodontal treatment “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 Oct. 15, 2013. Further information is available on the ITI website.About the ITI The International Team for Implantology (ITI) unites professionals around the world from every field of implant dentistry and related tissue regeneration. As an independent academic association, it actively promotes networking and exchange among its membership. ITI fellows and members, who now number more than 15,000, regularly share their knowledge and expertise from research and clinical practice at meetings, courses, and congresses with the objective of continuously improving treatment methods and outcomes to the benefit of their patients. In more than 30 years, the ITI has built a reputation for scientific rigor combined with concern for the welfare of patients. The organization focuses on the development of well-documented treatment guidelines backed by extensive clinical testing and the compilation of long-term results. The ITI funds research as well as scholarships for young clinicians, organizes congresses, and continuing education events and also publishes reference books such as the ITI Treatment Guide series.