Dr. Yu Zhang Recipient of the 2025 IADR Distinguished Scientist Wilmer Souder Award

Yu Zhang, PhD

Philadelphia – Penn Dental Medicine’s Dr. Yu Zhang, Professor in the Department of Preventive & Restorative Sciences and Director of Restorative Research, has been recognized for his leadership in advancing the field of dental materials as the 2025 recipient of the International Association for Dental Research (IADR) Distinguished Scientist Wilmer Souder Award.

The IADR Wilmer Souder Award recognizes excellence in the field of dental materials research among those scientists who, through research in this field, bring about outstanding advances in dental health. Established and supported by an endowment provided by IADR’s Dental Materials Group, the award is intended to confer the highest honor in the field of dental materials research and is one of the 17 IADR Distinguished Scientist Awards.

Applying a background in physics and material science, Zhang is a highly respected researcher in the area of dental ceramics, with a focus on zirconia. His work has involved tailoring the composition and microstructure of zirconia, using a gradient approach to combine it with porcelain to make it more esthetic and better cement bonding while improving its durability. Applying the same gradient approach to calcium phosphate glass and zirconia, Zhang has also produced a strong material that promotes bone integration while repelling microbes. In addition, he is working on developing new protocols for ductile machining and ultrafast sintering of ceramics.

Zhang was also recognized by the IADR in 2023 with the IADR Dental Materials Group (DMG) Peyton-Skinner Award. This annual award honors scientists who throughout their careers have made outstanding contributions to innovation in dental materials