Prof Dr. Joaquín Urbizo Vélez | Dentistry | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Joaquín Juan Urbizo Vélez is an eminent Cuban academic and researcher in the field of stomatology and oral pathology. With a career spanning over five decades, he earned his Doctorate in Stomatology from the University of Havana in 1970 and later specialized in Anatomical Pathology. He has held prestigious academic ranks, including Full Professor, Professor Emeritus, and Consultant Professor. As an Investigador Titular and member of several national and international scientific societies, he has played a pivotal role in advancing dental pathology and oral oncology research in Cuba. His scholarly contributions include groundbreaking research on oral mucosal diseases, biomaterials for implants, and premalignant lesions. His leadership in collaborative international projects and mentoring of scientific and clinical trainees has left a lasting impact on dental science education and research in Latin America.

Profile

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🎓 Education

Dr. Urbizo Vélez began his academic journey with a Doctorate in Stomatology from the University of Havana in 1970. He continued his specialization by earning the First and Second Degrees in Anatomical Pathology from the Ministry of Public Health in 1984 and 2005, respectively. Recognized for his teaching excellence, he became an Auxiliary Professor in 1977 and a Full Professor in 1998. He was later honored as Professor Emeritus in 2021. His academic distinctions include a Master’s degree in Odontogeriatrics (2015) and a Doctorate in Dental Sciences (2012), underlining his commitment to lifelong learning. Additionally, he has received honorary and associate memberships in several academic societies across Cuba and Latin America, including a Professor Honoris Causa title in Education from Universidad de Aquino in Bolivia (2004). His sustained contribution to academic development is further highlighted by his membership in the UCM-H Commission of Scientific Degrees (2021).

🧪 Experience

Dr. Urbizo Vélez has over 50 years of professional experience in academia, research, and healthcare. As a faculty member of the University of Medical Sciences of Havana, he contributed significantly to the advancement of oral pathology, serving in various academic capacities from Auxiliary Professor to Full Professor and eventually as Professor Emeritus and Consultant. He has mentored numerous students and specialists, supervising scientific student groups, postgraduate theses, and residency completion works. His clinical and academic roles have included coordination of collaborative research with international centers like Ariminum Research and Dental Education Center in Italy. His career is marked by leadership in implementing preclinical evaluations of biomedical materials and by his active role in establishing protocols in dental implantology and cancer detection. Recognized nationally, he was awarded the “Premio Anual de la Salud” for applied research and designated as an “Investigador Titular” by Cuba’s Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment (CITMA) in 2022.

🏅 Awards and Honors

Dr. Urbizo Vélez’s academic and scientific excellence has been widely recognized through numerous honors and distinctions. He was named Professor Honoris Causa by the Universidad de Aquino in Bolivia (2004) and awarded the title of Professor Emeritus by the University of Medical Sciences of Havana (2021). His scientific achievements earned him the prestigious title of “Investigador Titular” by the National Commission of Scientific Categories (CITMA) in 2022. Among his earlier recognitions are his appointments as Member of Honor of the Association of University Professors of León, Nicaragua (1990), and as Associate or Full Member of various Cuban scientific societies in the fields of stomatology, pathology, and maxillofacial surgery. His project on biocompatible porous ceramics derived from marine coral was recognized as a Scientific Achievement by the Cuban Academy of Sciences. Additionally, his research contributions earned the “Premio Anual de la Salud” in 2006 for outstanding applied health research in Cuba.

🔬 Research Focus

Dr. Urbizo Vélez has a prolific research portfolio centered around oral pathology, mucosal diseases, oral cancer, and biomaterials for dental applications. His early research included studies on aphthous ulcers, histopathological changes in pulp tissues, and comparative studies on the oral mucosa of smokers versus non-smokers. He conducted extensive research on lichen planus and premalignant lesions of the oral cavity. His later work focused on the histological impact of tobacco smoke condensates, the use of marine-derived ceramics and synthetic hydroxyapatite in bone implants, and biological evaluation protocols for biomedical devices. Notably, he led Cuba-Italy collaborative research projects on tissue regeneration and peri-implant reconstruction. He has guided numerous student research projects, clinical case studies, and biomaterial trials, significantly advancing both theoretical understanding and clinical applications in dental pathology and oral oncology. His research is distinguished by its integration of clinical observations, laboratory experimentation, and translational approaches in dental health sciences.

✅ Conclusion