Dr. James T. Mellonig Regeneration Research Award

The Dr. James T. Mellonig Regeneration Research Award recognizes excellence in original research by a resident in the specialty of periodontics that advances clinical therapies in periodontal regeneration. The scholarship was created through a transformational gift from Dr. Jo Rummelhart in honor of Dr. Mellonig and the National Naval Medical Center's Periodontics Residency Program in Bethesda, Maryland, which Dr. Rummelhart completed.

Dr. Rummelhart served on the AAP Foundation Advisory Council from 1993-1998, is active in the AAP, receiving an AAP Special Citation in 1993, and is a veteran of the US Navy and alumna of the Naval Dental School Bethesda, studying under Dr. Jim Mellonig. Dr. Rummelhart was the US Navy's first female periodontist and served 10 years of active duty. She maintained a private practice in Madison, WI for 18 years, has taught at a local hospital for two decades, and upon her retirement from private practice, joined the adjunct faculty at the
University of Iowa.

Donate in memory of Dr. Mellonig here.

WHAT IS AWARDED?

$10,000 will be awarded to the recipient. The award is not to be used to replace support that would have normally been provided by the recipient's institution.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE?

Applicants for the $10,000 award must be second or third year periodontal residents in US accredited programs or recent graduates having received their certificate in periodontics within the past three years as of the application deadline. Applicants also must have completed original research as a lead researcher/first author and produced a manuscript that potentially advances clinical therapies in periodontal regeneration. The research may deal with any aspect of hard or soft tissue regeneration that advances or supports clinical therapies in the natural dentition or with dental implant use.The manuscript must be accepted for publication if not yet published.

Applicants must be members of the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) and be citizens of the United States or have permanent resident status, who intend to pursue careers in periodontics in the United States, either in private practice, academia, or industry.

HOW DO CANDIDATES APPLY?

Candidates may apply by June 1st through the link below.

Award Application

ABOUT DR. JAMES MELLONIG

Dr. James T. Mellonig earned his DDS from Marquette University Dental School. In an illustrious 20-year Naval career, he completed his Certificate and Masters of Science degree in Periodontics at the Naval Dental Postgraduate School in Bethesda, MD (1974), served with the Navy's Medical Research Institute among other tours of duty and eventually, became the Director of the Navy's Advanced Educational Program in Periodontics. Dr. James Mellonig is professor emeritus of dentistry and former director of the Advanced Education Program in
Periodontics at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio.

He served as president of the American Academy of Periodontology in 1996, and has earned numerous awards and honors, including the AAP's Gold Medal in 1999 and its inaugural Outstanding Educator Award in 2003. He has been a guest lecturer at various universities and conferences throughout the world. His research areas of interest include periodontal regeneration, bone allografts, bone inductive proteins, endosseous dental implants and guided tissue regeneration.

View a brief video about Dr. Mellonig here.

WHAT IS THE SELECTION PROCESS?

A selection committee appointed by the president of the AAP Foundation will review applications and select one award per year.