Dean Jeffrey W. Hutter and Minh-Phuong Le DMD 16 with her poster
Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine (GSDM) was well represented at the 93rd General Session & Exhibition of the International Association for Dental Research (IADR) and the 44th annual Meeting & Exhibition of the American Association for Dental Research (AADR). This year the events took place in conjunction at the Hynes Convention Center in Boston from March 11 to 14, 2015. This prestigious scientific meeting draws attendance from investigators worldwide and consists of four full days of workshops, symposia, oral and poster sessions, high profile keynote speakers, and an exhibition.
The opening ceremony took place on the evening of Wednesday, March 11, and included a special note of recognition for Dean Jeffrey W. Hutter and the other two deans of the Boston Schools of Dental Medicine, and the President of Forsyth Dental Research Institute. Congratulations were also extended during the ceremony to Dr. Raul Garcia, Chair of the Department of Health Policy & Health Services Research, who was elected Vice President of AADR for 2015–2016.
GSDM researchers organized and participated in more than 80 presentations over the course of the event. Faculty and students took part in 18 oral sessions, organized and presented in 4 symposia and a forum, presented 59 posters, and organized 2 lunch & learn programs, as well as a hands-on workshop. A complete list of all GSDM participants in this year’s event can be found on the GSDM Research webpage.
Members of the Research office represented GSDM in the IADR/AADR Exhibition Hall with an exhibition booth showcasing research at the School. The booth was popular with both prospective students and dental researchers interested in learning more about the robust research programs at GSDM.
Not only did GSDM students, residents, faculty, staff, and alumni participate in an impressive number of activities, but several GSDM students received awards for their outstanding work.
Richa Wahi AS 16 was the recipient of the 2015 IADR Lion Dental Research Award for her project titled, “Economic Burden of Head and Neck Cancer: the Need to Screen High Risk Individuals.” Wahi was mentored in this work by Dr. Athanasios Zavras, Professor and Chair of the Department of Pediatric Dentistry.
Dr. Hattanas Kumchai PROS 16, DScD 16 was the recipient of the Frechette Award for his project, “In-vitro Repair of Veneered Zirconia Crowns with Ceramics vs Resins.” Kumchai was mentored by Dr. Dan Nathanson, Professor and Chair of the Department of Restorative Sciences & Biomaterials.
Na Tian PERIO 14 was a finalist for the AADR Johnson & Johnson Healthcare Products Hatton Awards in the Post-doctoral Category for her project, “Salivary Proline-rich Proteins and Gluten: Do Structural Similarities Suggest Immunogenicity in Celiac Disease?” Tian was mentored by Dr. Eva Helmerhorst, Associate Professor in the Department of Molecular & Cell Biology.
GSDM was also honored with the AADR National Student Research Group Award for having the most student abstracts accepted for the 2015 IADR/AADR/CADR General Session.
“I was delighted to see GSDM so well represented at this important event,” said Dean Hutter. “Our high profile is a testament to our commitment to research and I am very proud of our students, faculty, and staff.”