Cun-Yu Wang elected to membership in the Institute of Medicine (IOM) of the National Academies
Noted dental researcher, Cun-Yu Wang, professor and chair of the division of oral biology and medicine and No-Hee Park Endowed Professor at the UCLA School of Dentistry, has been elected to membership in the Institute of Medicine effective October 1, 2011.
Established in 1970, the Institute of Medicine is an independent, non-profit organization, which provides authoritative advice on issues of human health and medicine, including oral health. Election to the Institute of Medicine is considered one of the highest career honors among health care professionals. Each year up to 65 new members and up to five foreign associates are selected by current members to join the organization. The Institute’s more than 1800 members volunteer their time, knowledge, and expertise to assist its mission of advancing the nation’s health.
“It is a great honor and pleasure to be elected to membership in the IOM. I came to the United States twenty one years ago from China. As my career developed, I received enormous help and encouragement from my friends, colleagues, students, and mentors. I would like to take this opportunity to thank them for their support, said Dr. Wang. “As a member of the IOM, look forward to the chance to be a volunteer in our community.”
A graduate of China’s Nanjing Medical University, Wang received his DDS from the Peking University School of Dentistry. He then completed a fellowship in immunology at the Forsyth Institute and earned a Ph.D. in genetics and molecular biology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Previously a member of the faculty at the University of Michigan, Wang joined the faculty of the UCLA School of Dentistry in 2007.
Dr. Wang’s research focuses on three areas related to human health: molecular signaling and therapeutics of cancer, molecular regulation of oral inflammation and infection, and molecular control of adult stem cell properties and craniofacial regeneration.
In 2005, the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research recognized the value of Dr. Wang’s work with a MERIT (Method to Extend Research in Time) Award for his ongoing investigation of oral cancer. In addition, he is the recipient of numerous honors from the International Association for Dental Research.
“Dr. Wang’s selection as a member of the Institute of Medicine is an extraordinary honor both for him and the UCLA School of Dentistry. I regard him as one of the foremost scientists working in the field of dental research today,” said No-Hee Park, dean of the dental school.
The UCLA School of Dentistry is dedicated to improving the oral health of the people of California, the nation, and the world through its teaching, research, patient care and public service initiatives. The school provides education and training programs that develop leaders in dental education, research, the profession and the community; conducts research programs that generate new knowledge, promote oral health and investigate the cause, prevention, diagnosis and treatment of oral disease in an individualized disease prevention and management model; and delivers patient-centered oral health care to the community and state.