Barnet M. Levy
BornJanuary 13, 1917
Scranton, Pennsylvania
DiedMarch 7, 2014(2014-03-07) (aged 97)
Mexico City
Scientific career
FieldsOral pathology
InstitutionsColumbia University; University of Texas Dental Branch at Houston; National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM)

Barnet Mortimer Levy (January 13, 1917 – March 7, 2014) was an American oral pathologist and professor at universities in the United States and Mexico. Levy worked to integrate basic science research into dentistry, believing that oral health should not be separated from other aspects of health. He co-authored an influential textbook, co-founded a research institute in Texas, and served in national leadership roles, including the presidency of the International Association for Dental Research and the American Academy of Oral & Maxillofacial Pathology.

Biography

Born in Scranton, Pennsylvania, Levy earned an undergraduate degree and a DDS degree from the University of Pennsylvania. After completing a master's degree in bacteriology and pathology at the Medical College of Virginia (MCV), Levy taught at MCV and at the Washington University School of Dental Medicine before joining the dental faculty at Columbia University in 1949. He moved to Texas in 1957 and joined the faculty of the University of Texas Dental Branch at Houston. He became a co-author of a widely known dental reference, A Textbook of Oral Pathology.[1]

In 1964, Levy co-founded the Dental Science Institute (DSI) at the UT Dental Branch and he served as its first director. The DSI was established to study treatments for periodontal disease and dental caries. A major focus of the institute was on oral health in the aging population.[2] While in Houston, Levy also served with other institutions, particularly within the Texas Medical Center. He was the faculty president of the University of Texas Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences at Houston in 1982–83.[3] He chaired the City of Houston Board of Health and consulted at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center and the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Houston.[4] The DSI was dissolved in 1995.[5]

Levy held leadership positions in several national organizations. He was a member of the Committee on Dentistry at the National Academy of Sciences.[1] In 1965–66, he was the president of the International Association for Dental Research.[6] He was the president of the American Academy of Oral & Maxillofacial Pathology in 1969.[7] He was named editor of the Journal of Dental Research (JDR) in 1976. He had previously served as an associate editor for the Journal of Oral Pathology.[8]

Late in his career, Levy was on the faculty of the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), first as a visiting professor and then as the Dr. Ignacio Chavez Distinguished Professor.[9] The Biblioteca Dr. Barnet M. Levy is the postgraduate library at UNAM's dental school.[10] The school hosts an international conference on periodontal biology that is named after him.[11] Levy took sabbatical leave to work at the Salk Institute and also held an adjunct faculty appointment at Texas A&M University.[2]

In retirement, Levy lived in Englewood, New Jersey.[1] In 2014, he died in a Mexico City assisted living facility. He was buried in Englewood, next to his wife Henrietta.[4]

References

  1. 1 2 3 D'Souza, R. N.; O'Neill, P.; Arzate, H.; Robertson, P. B. (1 July 2014). "A tribute to the life of Dr. Barnet M. Levy". Journal of Dental Research. 93 (7): 613–615. doi:10.1177/0022034514537275. ISSN 0022-0345. PMC 4293733. PMID 27455533.
  2. 1 2 Robertson, P. B.; O'Neill, P. (September 1, 1997). "Mentoring: The gift of Barnet Levy". Journal of Dental Research. 76 (9): 1527–1528. doi:10.1177/00220345970760090301. ISSN 0022-0345. PMID 9294485. S2CID 37863527.
  3. ↑ "Former Faculty Presidents". University of Texas Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences at Houston. Retrieved December 21, 2015.
  4. 1 2 Dr. Barnet Levy, 97, remembered as legendary dental researcher. University of Texas Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences at Houston. March 28, 2014. Retrieved December 21, 2015.
  5. ↑ Allen, Don L. University of Texas Dental Branch at Houston. Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved December 21, 2015.
  6. ↑ "IADR Presidents 1949–1974". International Association for Dental Research. Archived from the original on December 22, 2015. Retrieved December 21, 2015.
  7. ↑ "All Past Presidents". American Academy of Oral & Maxillofacial Pathology. Archived from the original on December 22, 2015. Retrieved December 21, 2015.
  8. ↑ Hine, Maynard K. (May 1, 1976). "Dr. Barnet Levy named editor of Journal of Dental Research". Journal of Dental Research. 55 (3): 319. doi:10.1177/00220345760550030101. ISSN 0022-0345. PMID 773988. S2CID 39211186.
  9. ↑ Robertson, Javier P. (September 2008). "La investigación en la Facultad de Odontología, UNAM: Relato de una experiencia" (PDF). Revista Odontológica Mexicana. 12 (3): 116–119. Retrieved December 21, 2015.
  10. ↑ "Biblioteca Posgrado" (in Spanish). National Autonomous University of Mexico. Retrieved December 21, 2015.
  11. ↑ "X Reunión Internacional sobre Biología Periodontal" (in Spanish). National Autonomous University of Mexico. Archived from the original on December 22, 2015. Retrieved December 21, 2015.
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