Winter 2012 - Columbia University College of Dental Medicine

Remembering Irwin D. Mandel '45
Family, friends and colleagues gathered at a commemoration on
September 14th to celebrate the life and achievements of Professor
Emeritus Irwin D. Mandel, who died in May. The roster of speakers
included former students, colleagues, friends and family members,
who commented on the enormous influence Dr. Mandel had on
generations of students and the major role he played in shifting the
focus of dentistry from repair to prevention.
“Irwin fit the definition of a renaissance man...
widely read, erudite, scholarly, incredible sense
of humor, a polymath whose expertise seemed
to know no bounds. Amongst his 250 publications
are several dealing with the caricature of
the dentist in literature, theater and film; the
history of toothpicks; and the story of the 18th-
century scientist John Hunter, who was credited
with the naming of the teeth.”
Commemoration speaker Dr. Daniel Malamud,
director, HIV/AIDS Research Program, NYU College of Dentistry
Honor Dr. Mandel's Pioneering Work
By Supporting Oral Health Research
The Irwin D. Mandel Research Endowment Fund was established
in 1992 as a tribute to Dr. Mandel’s years of service to Columbia
and its students and to his significant impact on research in the
field of oral health. The Fund supports pilot studies and research
projects for new investigators at the College. Contributions honoring
Dr. Mandel may be directed to the fund by calling 212-342-5612
or by giving online at https://giving.columbia.edu/giveonline.
2 primus Notes | WINTER 2012
(ABOVE) Speaker Lawrence Tabak ‘77, Principal Deputy
Director, NIH.