2025 James T. Mellonig Regeneration Research Award presented to Joelle McRee, DDS, MS
The 2025 James T. Mellonig Regeneration Research Award has been awarded to Joelle McRee, DDS, MS, for a project completed with Claire Coleman, DDS, DMD, during their residency in the periodontics program at the School of Dentistry.
Both McRee and Coleman, 2025 graduates of the program, completed a study titled: “Healing following ridge preservation using demineralized allograft particles or fibers alone, and combined with xenograft.” The work has already been accepted for publication in the Journal of Periodontology (J Periodontol. 2025 Jul 24. doi: 10.1002/jper.11374. Online ahead of print), just three months after their graduation.
This project represents the largest randomized controlled trial ever conducted on healing after ridge preservation and was funded by Geistlich. Its findings promise to advance clinical therapies in periodontal regeneration.
“I am truly humbled to receive this award. Dr. Mellonig’s research has profoundly shaped the field of periodontal regeneration, and his legacy of excellence continues to define the standard in San Antonio. I am deeply grateful to my faculty mentors and fellow residents, whose guidance and collaboration were instrumental in completing this large study. Being recognized at the national level is a true reflection of the outstanding training we receive as residents. This experience has reinforced my belief that research is what drives periodontics forward and advancing the technologies and treatments we ultimately provide to our patients,” said McRee.
Established in honor of James T. Mellonig, DDS, MS, this award is among the most prestigious distinctions in periodontics, recognizing original research that advances regenerative therapies. Mellonig, founder of the School of Dentistry’s periodontics program and a pioneer in periodontal research, left a legacy that continues to inspire innovation.
This award highlights not only McRee’s and Coleman’s dedication and innovation but also the enduring legacy of Mellonig, whose vision continues to inspire new generations of periodontists.
