Alexandria, VA, USA – The International Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research (IADR) has announced Jacqueline Hecht as the 2024 IADR Distinguished Scientist Award in Craniofacial Biology Research. Hecht, from UT Health Houston, USA, was recognized during the Opening Ceremonies of the 102nd General Session of the IADR, which was held in conjunction with the 53rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research and the 48th Annual Meeting of the Canadian Association for Dental Research, on March 13-16, 2024, in New Orleans, LA, USA.
Hecht is Director of the Center for Craniofacial Research and a Distinguished Teaching Professor at UT Health Houston, where she completed her PhD in 1988. Her postgraduate training included an MS degree in Human Genetics and Genetic Counseling from the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center and a PhD in Epidemiology from the University of Texas School of Public Health. She is Board-Certified in Genetic Counseling and Medical Genetics and has served as a Genetics Consultant for various hospitals in the Greater Houston area for more than 30 years.
Hecht has extensive clinical experience in complex birth defects involving craniofacial anomalies, as well as a variety of genetic bone disorders and dwarfing conditions. She is an expert on the genetic causes of musculoskeletal and craniofacial disorders and has been invited to present her research findings around both national and international events.
Hecht is the recipient of the Barbara Bowman Distinguished Texas Geneticist Award from the Texas Genetics Society in 2007, the REACH Research Award from the Multiple Hereditary Exostoses Research Foundation in 2011, the President’s Scholar Award in 2015, and the Distinguished Professional Woman Award in 2016 from the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston. She was elected to the University of Texas Academy of Health Science Education in 2012.
The IADR Distinguished Scientist Award in Craniofacial Biology Research recognizes individuals who have contributed to the body of knowledge in craniofacial biology over a significant period, and whose research contributions have been accepted by the scientific community. It is one of the 17 IADR Distinguished Scientist Awards and is one of the highest honors bestowed by IADR. The award consists of a monetary award and a plaque.
About IADR
The International Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research (IADR) is a nonprofit organization with a mission to drive dental, oral, and craniofacial research for health and well-being worldwide. IADR represents the individual scientists, clinician-scientists, dental professionals, and students based in academic, government, non-profit, and private-sector institutions who share our mission. Learn more at www.iadr.org.