Alexandria, VA – The American Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research (AADOCR) has announced Vivek Thumbigere Math as the 2026 recipient of the AADOCR William B. Clark Fellowship. Thumbigere Math, from the University of Maryland, Baltimore, was recognized during the Opening Ceremonies of the 55th Annual Meeting of the AADOCR, which was held in conjunction with the 104th General Session of the International Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research (IADR) and the 50th Annual Meeting of the Canadian Association for Dental Research on March 25-28, 2026 in San Diego, CA.
Thumbigere Math is a board-certified periodontist and Assistant Professor at the University of Maryland School of Dentistry (UMSOD), where his research focuses on the molecular and clinical pathways linking oral and systemic diseases. He earned a Ph.D. in Oral Biology and completed a residency in periodontology at the University of Minnesota, where he investigated clinical, epidemiological, and biomarker correlates of bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (BRONJ).
He subsequently completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) under the mentorship of Dr. Martha Somerman, where he uncovered the first causal link between a mutation in the interferon regulatory factor 8 gene (IRF8) and multiple idiopathic cervical root resorption. Since joining UMSOD, he has established a well-recognized program at the intersection of periodontitis, osteoimmunology, and systemic disease. Currently, his laboratory is investigating how periodontitis contributes to inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), particularly in older adults.
The AADOCR William B. Clark Fellowship was established to support clinical researchers in periodontology. The $5,000 fellowship is in memory of the late William B. Clark, Professor of Oral Biology and Director of the Periodontal Research Center at the University of Florida and is supported by P&G Professional Oral Health, Crest + Oral-B.
About AADOCR
The American Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research is a nonprofit organization with a mission to drive dental, oral, and craniofacial research to advance health and well-being. AADOCR represents the individual scientists, clinician-scientists, dental professionals, and students based in academic, government, non-profit, and private-sector institutions who share our mission. AADOCR is the largest division of the International Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research. Learn more at www.aadocr.org.
