Message from Dr. Mary C. Farach-Carson, Associate Dean for Research

Welcome to the 2024 Student Research Showcase. This year marks the 14th year of the Showcase featuring the exciting research findings generated by our students, residents and postdoctoral trainees. It is special in that we also will celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Powers Center for Biomaterials and Biomimetics with short presentations from faculty who have worked in the Center. Our students, guided by their research mentors, will present their exciting research discoveries in both oral and poster formats, competing for the grand Showcase Prize. We are privileged to host our keynote speaker, Dr. Jack Ferracane, PhD who will present a seminar on “Bioactive dental restorative materials – What are they and what role can they play in bonded dental restorations?” as part of the annual William T. Butler Lectureship series. We invite you to participate and enjoy this day where we showcase our recent discoveries that span from basic to clinical research. Congratulations to all students and mentors for their dedication to discovery that made this an exciting summer research program.

Message from Dr. Chun-Teh Lee, Director of Pre-/Post-Doctoral Research

It is always exciting to see all participants present their research works. By taking part in research projects, dental and dental hygiene students enhance their critical thinking, innovation, and problem-solving skills, gaining the profound understanding necessary to effect positive changes in dental science and clinical practice. During the Research Showcase, we honor the students participating in the Summer Research Program and applaud their contributions to discovery. Our success requires a collaborative effort. We sincerely thank and recognize the faculty mentors who generously volunteer their time and expertise to support the Summer Research Program, as well as the staff who organize the program and streamline the process. I believe you will find this year’s Research Showcase to be captivating. Thank you for supporting our students on this momentous day.

William T. Butler Distinguished Lecturer

Jack Ferracane is Professor and Chair of Restorative Dentistry at Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon. He received a B.S. in Biology from the University of Illinois, and an M.S. and Ph.D. in Biological Materials from Northwestern University. He is a past-President of the American Association for Dental Research and the Academy of Dental Materials. He is the recipient of the IADR Distinguished Scientist Wilmer Souder Award, the Academy of Dental Materials Founders Award, and the Hollenback Award from the Academy of Operative Dentistry. He is an honorary member of the American College of Dentists and the Oregon Dental Association. He is Editor-in-chief of a new journal published by the ADA and Elsevier entitled, JADA Foundational Science. He has authored or co-authored three textbooks on dental materials and operative dentistry. He has published and lectured extensively on dental materials, including dental composites, adhesives, amalgams, “bioactive materials,” and practice-based dental research.

Location: Denton A. Cooley, MD and Ralph C. Cooley, DDS University Life Center

Student Showcase Abstracts