Robert J. Genco, DDS, PhD, SUNY Distinguished Professor, director of the University at Buffalo Science, Technology Transfer and Economic Outreach (STOR) and UB professor of periodontics and endodontics is the recipient of the American Academy of Periodontology's (AAP) Distinguished Scientist Award for 2012.

The AAP Distinguished Scientist Award is presented to an academy member who has actively contributed to the basic science and/or clinical science of periodontology through published literature and has contributed to pre- and postdoctoral education.

Genco received the award in recognition of more than three decades of research, scholarship and service that contributed to the understanding, prevention and treatment of periodontal disease.

"I am pleased and humbled by this recognition. I have had a long and fruitful association with the American Academy of Periodontology, and to be honored by them is a highlight of my career. It is also recognition of the many colleagues I have had the honor of working with at UB and other universities," said Genco.

The AAP, founded in 1914, is an 8000-member association of dental professionals specializing in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases affecting the gums and supporting structures of the teeth.

Dean of the University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine, Michael L. Glick, DMD, said, "I am gratified to see my colleague and friend, Dr. Genco, receive this well-deserved award from the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP). His contributions to the University at Buffalo and the oral health community are immeasurable and continue to inspire researchers across the globe to pursue new discoveries that define excellence while improving quality of life."

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

Formerly chair of the Department of Oral Biology at UB's School of Dental Medicine for 25 years and also the 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 mellitus and obesity.

Genco has held editorial positions with 11 scientific journals, edited or co-edited ten books and authored or co-authored more than 325 scientific articles and publications.

He is a past president of the American Association for Dental Research and the International Association of Dental Research.

Genco has been the primary investigator on multi-million dollar grants from the NIDCR, and editor of the Journal of Periodontology and is a member of the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Science.

When former University at Buffalo president, John B. Simpson, named Genco interim provost in February of 2004, he noted that Genco was "one of UB's most distinguished professors, internationally recognized and highly regarded both within his field and the UB community as an accomplished scientist and researcher."

William V. Giannobile, DDS, MS, DMSc, chair of the Department of Periodontics and Oral Medicine at the University of Michigan School of Dentistry, who nominated Genco for the award said, "I believe that Dr. Genco is the ideal individual to be recognized for this award given his tremendous dedication not only to the AAP but to all of periodontology."

Genco has received many awards, including the American Dental Association's 2003 Norton M. Ross Award for Excellence in Clinical Research; the American Academy of Periodontology Gold Medal (1993); American Dental Association Gold Medal for Excellence in Dental Research (1991); Samuel P. Capen Alumni Award, the UB Alumni Association's most prestigious award (1990); William J. Gies Foundation Award from the American Academy of Periodontology (1983), and the George W. Thorn Award from the UB Alumni Association (1977).