Emeritus Professor Saman Warnakulasuriya has been announced as the recipient of the IADR Distinguished Scientist in Global Oral Health Research Award. Professor Warnakulasuriya received the award from the International Association for Dental Research (IADR) during the opening ceremonies of the virtual 100th General Session & Exhibition of the IADR on June 22 2022.

The award is one of the highest honours bestowed by IADR.

Professor Warnakulasuriya is an emeritus professor of Oral Medicine and Experimental Pathology at King’s College London and was the Chairman of the Oral Medicine Division at King’s College Hospital and at Guy’s Hospital, London between 2005 -2015.

He spent his academic life contributing to international research on oral cancer (leading as a PI on numerous projects and jointly with multicentre groups), advancing the science and innovating discoveries made (both in the laboratory and in the clinic). Professor Warnakulasuriya is a leading internationally recognised expert on human carcinogens, especially tobacco, alcohol and areca nut that cause mouth cancer, and his contribution to translational research is widely acknowledged.

Professor Warnakulasuriya was a previous recipient of the 2014 IADR Distinguished Scientist in Oral Medicine & Pathology. A fellow of King's College London, he was awarded an OBE in 2008 for services to Medicine and Health Care. He has served on several committees of the World Health Organization, the International Agency for Research on Cancer, the National Institute of Clinical Excellence, UK, the Department of Health UK, and served as president of the Metropolitan Branch of the British Dental Association.

The Global Oral Health Research Award is supported by GlaxoSmithKline, and is one of the highest honours bestowed by IADR.