Professor Malcolm Snead, DDS, PhD, a faculty member at the Center for Craniofacial Molecular Biology, has been awarded the title of doctor philosophiae honoris causa by the University of Oslo. Snead received his PhD in pathology at the University of Chicago and DDS degree at Loyola University before joining USC as a postdoctoral researcher and soon thereafter as a faculty member. He currently serves as Chair of the Division of Biomedical Sciences in the Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC.

In the presentation of the honorary degree by University of Oslo Vice Dean Linda Hildegard Bergersen, Snead was lauded as “one of the major contributors to the molecular biology revolution in dentistry,” particularly for his groundbreaking study of enamel matrix proteins. Bergersen went on to say that Snead’s “outstanding contribution to the promotion of dental sciences” has built the foundation for “better diagnostics, new treatments of dental related diseases and improved biomaterials.”

Asked about the award ceremony, Snead expressed his gratitude for the hospitality he was shown during his visit, including a white-tie reception. “Nothing you do in your professional life prepares you,” Snead explained, “for the fact that your colleagues at another institution are recognizing that you did something useful for the academic world. I do research for a selfish reason—because it’s interesting!”

Clearly, Snead is not alone in finding his studies interesting, as this well-deserved award attests. All of us at the Center for Craniofacial Molecular Biology express our congratulations to Dr. Snead on this prestigious honor and extend our best wishes for his continued success. Fight on!