Crest and Oral-B Promising Researcher Award

Crest and Oral-B Promising Researcher Award is sponsored by ADA Foundation. This annual award promotes and recognizes excellence in oral health research, providing $5,000 to a promising researcher focused on preventive dentistry. Eligible candidates may be involved in basic, translational, or clinical research.

Award funds enable the recipient to attend scientific conferences to further their knowledge or skills or present findings.

ADA Foundation Award Programs | ADA Foundation ADA Foundation Award Programs The Crest and Oral-B Promising Researcher Award **Award application period now open through September 18, 2026** The Crest and Oral-B Promising Researcher Award The ADA Foundation Crest and Oral-B Promising Researcher Award promotes and recognizes excellence in oral health research.

This annual award provides $5,000 to a promising researcher focused on preventive dentistry. Applicants and Eligibility Requirements: Eligible candidates may be involved in basic, translational or clinical research. Award funds will enable the winning candidate to attend one or more scientific conferences to further their knowledge or skills or to present findings.

Award funds can be used for expenses such as conference registration fees, travel expenses, meals and lodging. Degree candidates must conduct oral health research in preventive dentistry while enrolled in one of the following degree programs at an eligible institution: D. D.

S. /D. M.

D. and Ph. D.

dual degree Advanced Dental Education M. P. H.

, M. S. or equivalent Applicants are not required to be members of the American Dental Association.

Apply for the Crest and Oral-B Promising Researcher Award . *Applicants will be taken to a third party website and will need to create a login to apply. The 2025 Crest and Oral-B Promising Researcher Award Recipient: BDS, MSc, MJDF, PhD (Cand.)

Dr. Merna Gress is a PhD candidate in Oral Health Sciences at the University of Michigan School of Dentistry and a recipient of the 2025 Crest and Oral-B Promising Researcher Award. Her research focuses on oral-derived mesenchymal stem cells and their extracellular vesicles, with an emphasis on immunomodulation and regenerative strategies for inflammatory oral diseases.

In parallel, her research program extends to dental pulp stem cells, investigating their neuroregenerative potential to support functional regeneration. Dr. Gress earned her master’s degree in Oral Biology from New York University as a Fulbright Foreign Student Scholar and holds a Bachelor of Dental Sciences degree from the British University in Egypt.

Her work bridges basic science and translational dentistry, aiming to advance biologically driven therapies that improve oral and systemic health outcomes. In addition to her research, Dr. Gress is actively engaged in professional leadership and mentorship within national and international dental organizations.

Through her academic, service, and research efforts, she exemplifies the mission of the Crest and Oral-B Promising Researcher Award by advancing innovation, scientific excellence, and the future of oral health research.

The Dr. David Whiston Leadership Award **Award application period now open through July 6, 2026** The Dr. David Whiston Leadership Award The Dr. David Whiston Leadership Award provides $5,000 to a deserving individual to cover the costs associated with attending a leadership program offered by the American Management Association or a course approved by the ADAF.

The award funds can be used to pay for: Tuition and fees for the course selected; The individual selected for this award will be eligible to attend a number of programs offered by the American Management Association (AMA). AMA programs are offered in most major cities in the U.S., making travel easy. AMA courses can be viewed here: www.

amanet. org . Alternatively, the award recipient may propose a course with comparable content by a different provider for advance written approval by the ADAF.

Applicants and Eligibility Requirements: Applicant must be a dental student, dentist, dentist pursuing graduate studies, dental resident enrolled in an accredited dental school education degree or certificate program, or an early-career dentist within 10 (ten) years of graduating dental school.

Selection will be based on leadership skills that advance the dental profession through community engagement, service to the profession, and/or scientific advancement of oral public health. Applicants are not required to be members of the American Dental Association. Apply for the Dr. David Whiston Leadership Award .

*Applicants will be taken to a third party website and will need to create a login to apply. The 2025 Dr. David Whiston Leadership Award Recipient: BDS, MDS, MPH, FRSPH, FICD, FACD, D-ABDPH The ADA Foundation proudly presented Dr. Salma Elwazeer, BDS, MDS, MPH, FRSPH, FICD, FACD, D-ABDPH , with the prestigious Dr. David Whiston Leadership Award of 2025 .

Dr. Elwazeer, Assistant Professor and Director of Public Health Education and Interprofessional Education (IPE) at the Hunt School of Dental Medicine , Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso, is recognized for her outstanding leadership in advancing dental public health education.

She played a pivotal role in developing and is currently directing the innovative Community Health Certificate Curriculum , integrating public health, interprofessional collaboration, and Spanish-language training into dental education. A nationally respected leader and mentor, Dr. Elwazeer’s work exemplifies the spirit of service, innovation, and collaboration that the Dr. David Whiston Leadership Award was created to honor.

For questions about the Awards, contact us at foundation@ada. org or 312. 440.

2763 .