Genco receives AADR Distinguished Scientist Award

World-renowned scientist Robert J. Genco has received the Distinguished Scientist Award from the American Association for Dental Research (AADR) in recognition of his outstanding contributions to periodontal disease research.

He received the award, presented once every two years, last week at the association’s 45th Annual Meeting and Exhibition in Los Angeles. As a recipient, Genco received $5,000.

“I am honored to receive this award, which recognizes work done not only by myself, but many colleagues at UB,” says Genco, SUNY Distinguished Professor of Oral Biology, Periodontics and Microbiology in the UB School of Dental Medicine.

Formerly chair of the Department of Oral Biology for 25 years and current director of the Periodontal Disease Clinical Research Center, Genco and his colleagues were among the first to report a connection between gum disease and heart disease and stroke, and led studies relating periodontitis to diabetes and obesity.

Genco, also director of UB’s Office of Science, Technology Transfer and Economic Outreach, has been the primary investigator on multimillion-dollar grants and has demonstrated success in commercializing both his discoveries and those of others.

Genco’s work focuses on understanding oral diseases. Most recently, his lab studied the effects of periodontal infections as they increase the risk for heart disease and lower glycemic control in diabetics.

He has earned numerous awards throughout his career, and most recently received the 2012 Distinguished Scientist Award from the American Academy of Periodontology.

Genco has held editorial positions with 11 scientific journals, and has edited or co-edited 10 books, and authored more than 325 scientific articles and publications. He is also a past president of both the AADR and International Association of Dental Research.

A 1963 graduate of the UB School of Dental Medicine, Genco received a doctorate in microbiology and immunology from the University of Pennsylvania in 1967.