Change is in the air as the American Academy of Periodontology gears up to welcome its new Editor-in-Chief (EIC), clinician scientist and leader Dr. Effie Ioannidou. Dr. Ioannidou has been selected as the new EIC of Journal of Periodontology (JOP) and Clinical Advances in Periodontics (CAP), and begins her new role tomorrow, July 1. Dr. Ioannidou will rely on the strong foundation retired EIC Dr. Kenneth Kornman established for both journals while contributing a fresh, innovative perspective to AAP's esteemed publications.
When searching for a new editor, the Academy interviewed many impressive candidates. The goal was to choose a person who possesses not only the ideal experience and knowledge, but also something extra that schooling and work experience does not always give you--passion, enthusiasm, and a commitment to constant growth. Dr. Ioannidou is an individual who possesses all of these qualities.
Dr. Ioannidou has a diverse educational background, having studied in both Greece and the United States. She earned her DDS at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece, and completed her Master of Dental Science degree and her periodontal training at the University of Connecticut (UCONN). She has been a faculty member of UCONN School of Dental Medicine since 2002, and currently serves as professor and interim chair of the Division of Periodontology. Something that many individuals can easily notice about Dr. Ioannidou as they get to know her is the desire to continue her growth at an upward trajectory. This desire has led Dr. Ioannidou to be selected as chair of the Department of Orofacial Sciences at the University of California San Francisco (UCSF), where she will begin her term on Aug. 1, 2023.
Being involved in multiple areas has allowed Dr. Ioannidou to make a positive impact on the field of periodontics. She is currently the president-elect of the American Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research (AADOCR) and director of the Dental Clinical Research Center at UCONN Health, and she was an associate editor of JDR Clinical & Translational Research from 2017 through mid-2023.
Aside from her extensive past experiences and knowledge, Dr. Ioannidou brings a deep passion for scientific publishing and knowledge dissemination to the position of EIC. In outlining her vision for the AAP's journals during the interview process, she demonstrated a firm commitment to helping researchers understand that clinical relevance is what makes scientific work significant and underscored her philosophy that the core priority of the AAP's journals is to improve the oral and systemic health of the public.
Members can learn more about this new era for the AAP's publications in upcoming issues of JOP and CAP and other AAP media.