Terrie Cowley, who co-founded and was president of The TMJ Association, died July 22, 2024. Through her lifelong advocacy and effective leadership, she transformed temporomandibular (TMD) research and the set of conditions they represent. In recognition of her contributions, two prestigious organizations—the American Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research (AADOCR) and the Orthopedic Research Society (ORS) —devoted special sessions of their 2025 annual meetings to recognizing Terrie’s impact and her ongoing inspiration to TMD research and advocacy.
AADOCR Annual Meeting: A Salute to Terrie Cowley
On March 12, 2025, the American Association for Dental, Oral and Craniofacial Research (AADOCR) Annual Meeting & Exhibition in New York City hosted A Salute to Terrie Cowley: An Indefatigable Leader for TMJ Research, a symposium organized by Drs. Hai Yao and Janice Lee, the session highlighted Terrie’s tireless efforts to advancing scientific discovery and patient advocacy for TMD.
The symposium featured presentations from leading experts, including:
- Millie Embree, DMD, PhD (Columbia University) – Stem Cells in Jaw Growth and Disease
- Don Nixdorf, DDS, MS (University of Minnesota) – Updates Related to MR Imaging of the TMJ
- Laura Iwasaki, DDS, PhD MSc (Oregon Health & Sciences University) – Mechanobehavior Scores for Prediction of TMJ Growth and Degeneration
- Eric Granquist, DMD, MD (University of Pennsylvania) – CT Imaging Morphology to Predict Outcomes Following TMJ Arthroplasty
A particularly poignant moment of the session came with remarks from Dr. Rena D’Souza, retired Director of the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, who emphasized how Terrie’s leadership helped shape national conversations on TMD research. She acknowledged Terrie’s unique ability to unite researchers, clinicians, and patients to drive meaningful change in the field.
Among those attending the symposium were Dr. Allen W. Cowley, Jr., President of The TMJ Association and Terrie’s husband; Deanne Clare, TMJ Association Administrator; and Alexandra Alger, TMJ Association Board Member. Their presence underscored Terrie’s deep impact on the TMJ community and the continued commitment to her mission
ORS Annual Meeting: Bridging the Gaps in TMJ Research
A month earlier, on February 8, 2025, the Orthopedic Research Society (ORS) Annual Meeting in Phoenix, AZ, also paid tribute to Terrie with a dedicated workshop titled Bridging the Gaps in Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Research. This session marked the first time ORS had focused on the TMJ, highlighting the importance of this complex and often-overlooked joint whose dysfunction and pain affects over 35 million people in the U.S.
The workshop showcased cutting-edge research from renowned scientists, including:
- Lucas Lu, PhD (University of Delaware) – Biomechanics of TMJ Condylar Cartilage: Insights into the Fibro-Hyaline Bilayer Structure
- Beth Winkelstein, PhD (University of Pennsylvania) – Insights from a Tunable Model of TMJ Pain: Translational Findings for Clinical Treatment
- Hai Yao, PhD (Clemson University) – Integrating Biomechanics and Cell Biology through Multiscale Modeling to Understand TMJ Pathophysiology
- Alejandro Almarza, PhD (University of Pittsburgh) – Tissue Regeneration Approaches for the TMJ
Dr. Allen W. Cowley, Jr. and Deanne Clare attended the workshop and witnessed firsthand the increasing momentum in TMJ research that Terrie helped spark. The session was both emotionally effective and scientifically significant, encouraging young investigators to further explore TMJ-related challenges. The inclusion of poster sessions featuring innovative TMJ research reflected the growing commitment within the orthopedic research community to better understand and treat TMJ disorders.
A Lasting Impact
Both the AADOCR and ORS sessions served as fitting tributes to Terrie Cowley’s enduring legacy. They reinforced the urgent need for continued research and collaboration in TMD science, ensuring that Terrie’s vision for advancing patient care remains a driving force in the field. The energy and dedication of the researchers, combined with the unwavering advocacy of The TMJ Association, promise to keep Terrie’s mission alive for generations to come.
