Luis Daniel Sansores España named recipient of the 2026 IADR Norton Ross Fellowship

The International Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research (IADR) has announced Luis Daniel Sansores España, IADR Chilean Division, as the 2026 recipient of the IADR Norton Ross Fellowship. Sansores España, from the University of Chile, was recognized during the Opening Ceremonies of the 104th General Session of the IADR, which was held in conjunction with the 55th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research and the 50th Annual Meeting of the Canadian Association for Dental Research on March 25-28, 2026 in San Diego, CA, USA.

Sansores España completed his undergraduate studies in Dentistry and his specialty in Periodontics at the Autonomous University of Yucatán in Mexico. He is currently a Doctoral Candidate in Dental Sciences at the University of Chile, supported by the National Agency for Research and Development (ANID).

Throughout his doctoral studies, he has been an active collaborator in the Oral Microbiology and Immunology Laboratory led by Dr. Nicolas Dutzan and Dr. Loreto Abusleme. In this role, he contributes to the development of high-impact research projects and publications particularly focusing on the molecular pathways involved in periodontal diseases.

Bridging the gap

Sansores España has served as a professor in the periodontics postgraduate program in his hometown in Mexico, bridging the gap between clinical specialization and academic development. His scientific interests are centered on mucosal immunology, with a specific focus on the role of epithelial intercellular junctions in the pathogenesis of periodontal diseases, alongside broader interests in oral immunology and microbiology.

His award-winning project, “Effect of JAK1 and JAK2 Activation on the Regulation of Gingival Epithelial Intercellular Junctions and the Subgingival Microbiome in Periodontitis,” seeks to identify novel regulatory mechanisms to restore the integrity of the gingival mucosal barrier to develop innovative adjunctive therapies for periodontal treatment.

The IADR Norton Ross Fellowship allows a dental or postgraduate student to obtain training and experience in dental or related research. It is awarded every other year and rotates among the IADR Divisions. The IADR funds the Fellowship to the amount of $2,800 to be provided to the successful candidate.