Seven achieve AO Fellowship Status

Arlington Heights, Ill., March 12, 2021 – Seven individuals were recognized today as achieving Fellowship status in the Academy of Osseointegration (AO) during the Opening Symposium of its 2021 Virtual Annual Meeting.

Fellowship is obtained by demonstrating a commitment to the field of osseointegration. Reflecting the importance of science and service embodied in its founding principles, AO established a Fellow membership category to honor members who have excelled in both academics as well as service to the Academy. Because the COVID‐19 pandemic forced the Academy to cancel its 2020 meeting all individuals who achieved Fellowship in the past two years are being recognized. The newest AO Fellows include:

Riad Almasri, DDS, in private practice, Dallas, TX, is also an adjunct faculty member at Nova Southeastern University College of Dental Medicine, where he received his specialty certificate in prosthodontics and served as chief resident. A member of the Academy since 2010, Dr. Almasri has served on AO’s Young Clinicians, Research Submission and Allied Staff committees, and is member of the Osseointegration Foundation’s Titanium Society. He presented at the Young Clinicians’ luncheon during the 2019 Annual Meeting, and provided oral scientific and oral clinical presentations in 2017 and 2018, respectively.

Joseph Y K Kan, DDS, MS, is a professor in the Department of Implant Dentistry at Loma Linda University. A current board member who joined the Academy 28 years ago, Dr. Kan has served on numerous committees and chaired Program Committee for the 2018 Annual Meeting Los Angeles. He has authored at least 19 scientific
articles published in the International Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Implants (JOMI) and the International Journal of Periodontics & Restorative Dentistry (IJPRD), the two official journals of AO. In addition, Dr. Kan has presented countless times at AO Annual Meetings throughout the years.

Gustavo Mendonca, DDS, MSc, PhD, is a clinical associate professor of dentistry at the University of Michigan School of Dentistry, Ann Arbor, MI. A member since 2008, he has served on the Research Submission, AO/OF Research Grants and E‐poster committees. Dr. Mendonca has presented e‐posters at annual meetings every year from 2008 through 2012 and in 2014, as well as basic science abstracts in 2008, 2009 and 2018 (all of which received AO Best Presentation awards). He was twice awardedm the Basic Research Grant from the Osseointegration Foundation in 2011 and 2015, the AO/IADR Innovation in Implant Sciences Award in 2015, and the William R. Laney Award in 2011.

Alireza Moshaverinia, DDS, MS, PhD, FACP, is a tenure track assistant professor at the UCLA School of Dentistry, Los Angeles, CA. An active member since 2013, Dr. Moshaverinia has served on the Academy’s E‐ poster and AO/OF Grant Review committees. He was also a recipient of the Osseointegration Foundation Basic Science Research Grant award in 2016, and the Best Oral Scientific Research award in 2015. Dr. Moshaverinia has been published 82 times in peer reviewed journals, books and chapters, including JOMI. He has presented at 50 conferences and invited seminars, including an e‐poster presentation at the Academy’s Annual Meeting in 2018, and an abstract presentation in 2015. Dr. Moshaverinia also holds nine patents.

Zeev Ormianer, DMD, is the head of the Department of Oral Rehabilitation at Tel Aviv University. A prosthodontist who has been a member of the Academy since 1997, Dr. Ormianer has served on its Clinical Innovations Committee as well as the Global Program Development Committee. He has presented numerous times on behalf of the Academy and authored at least 25 implant‐related articles in various journals.

Alessandro Pozzi, DDS, MSc, entitled full professor in oral sciences by the Italian Ministry of University and Research, is adjunct associate professor at the Goldstein Center for Esthetics and Implant Dentistry of Augusta University and guest lecturer in the Continuing Education in Implant Dentistry Program at UCLA. An active member since 2012, he has served on the Academy’s Website Education, Research Submission, and Membership committees. He has served as presenter during the 2016 Opening Symposium, a Morning with the Masters session, and Lunch and Learn during the Academy’s 2016 Annual Meeting. Dr. Pozzi has also conducted several e‐poster presentations at the 2013 and 2105 Annual Meetings, oral presentations in 2014 and 2015, and presented at the South African Academy of Osseointegration outreach meeting in 2018. He has authored or co‐authored four published textbooks in addition to writing chapters on implant dentistry. He has contributed 35 articles in peer reviewed journals including JOMI. Lastly, Dr. Pozzi has held 38 plenary program presentations in international academies and associations.

Robert C. Vogel, DDS is a general practitioner from Palm Beach Gardens, FL and has served on the Academy’s board of directors since 2017. A member of the Academy since 2001, he has contributed to its Allied Professional Staff, Clinical Innovations, William R. Laney Award, and Annual Meeting Program committees. Dr. Vogel has presented numerous times at AO meetings and as part of its webinar series. He has also authored multiple articles in JOMI and other scientific journals.

About Academy of Osseointegration

With approximately 4,000 members in more than 70 countries, AO is recognized as the premier international association for scientists and professionals interested in osseointegration and implant dentistry. AO serves as a nexus where specialists, generalists and scientists can come together to evaluate emerging research, technology, and techniques; share best practices; and define optimal patient care using timely science and evidence‐based methods. Like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and Instagram @AcademyOsseo; @AcademyofOsseointegration on Linkedin; and subscribe to us on YouTube.