On August 14, 2017, DMD 20 students at Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine (GSDM) presented on their research from their APEX (Applied Professional Experience) rotations. They were joined by Dean Jeffrey W. Hutter, faculty researchers and mentors, as well as their fellow students, and explored a diverse range of topics from literature reviews to basic science. Associate Dean for Research and Professor in the Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, Dr. Maria Kukuruzinska, welcomed everyone to the event. Assistant Director of Predoctoral Research, Afaf Hourani, played a key role in obtaining abstract submissions, assessing research presentations, and organizing the APEX presentation event.
The APEX program integrates classroom learning and hands-on experience, giving dental students the opportunity to engage with practicing dentists and principal investigators in a professional setting. The APEX program is the first initiative of its kind in a dental school. Through this hands-on approach to dental education, students integrate classroom study with professional experiences in dental offices as dental interns working side-by-side with practicing dentists.
Students have the opportunity to enhance their skills in such areas as communication, preventive dentistry, diagnosis, treatment planning, emergency care, patient management, and comprehensive care. Students learn important concepts in practice management, including the application of business systems in a dental office and working closely with auxiliaries. After completing their research training, APEX students present their findings.
At the end of the presentations, the Student Research Group announced the appointment of the following SRG officers for 2017-2018:
Jayesh Patel (DMD 2018), President
Mohammad Mourad (AS 2018), Vice President
Erika Ramos (DMD 2020), Secretary
Shivam Patel (DMD 2020), Treasurer
The projects presented were (student presenter in bold):
Tahryn Auger and Elizabeth Kaye. Department of Health Policy and Health Services Research: “Effects of Cigarette Smoking on Salivary Composition and Stimulated Salivary Flow Rates in Men.”
Marisa Borchardt, Jayapriyaa Shanmugham and Athanasios Zavras. Department of Pediatrics: “Disordered Sleep and Breathing Patterns in Overweight Children.”
Ariana dela Cruz, Weihao Wang, Andrew Tilston-Lunel, Xaralabos Varelas and Maria Kukuruzinska. Departments of Biochemistry & Molecular and Cell Biology: “Determining the Role(s) of the Hippo Pathway Signaling in the Etiology of Sjögren’s Syndrome.”
William Dowling and Timothy Osborn. Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery: “Rationale for Temporomadibular Arthroplasty as Simulataneous Treatment of Internal Derangement of the TMJ and Temporal Migraine.”
Melissa Ferguson, Serge Dibart and Erdjan Salih. Department of Periodontology: “Matrix Metalloproteinase (MMP)-20 protein expression in human oral squamous cell carcinoma and breast cancer tumor cells interacting with ex vivo bone organ in formation and resorption models.”
Zehra Husain, Astha Singhal and Woosung Sohn. Department of Health Policy and Health Services Research: “Factors Influencing Dental Students Career Goals and Ultimate Career Trajectories.”
J. Scott Jarvela, Reut Shainer and Marian Young. Department of Molecular Biology of Bones and Teeth Section, NIDCR: “Comparing Chondrogenic Differentiation of BMSCs in Traditional 2D Monolayer vs. 3D Collagen Raft™.”
Timothy Kim and Philip Trackman. Department of Molecular and Cell Biology: “Effects of LOXL2 Inhibitor in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma.”
Kevin Kramer, Ekaterina Laz and David Levin. Department of Molecular and Cell Biology: “Identification of PKCI-regulated Genes in DNA Damage Response.”
Ray Kuo, Yuwei Fan and Russell Giordano. Department of Restorative Sciences/Biomaterials: “Effects of Colorants on Mechanical and Physical Properties of Zirconia.”
Jordan Nosis and Sok-Ja Janket. Department of General Dentistry: “The Relationship of Systemic Immunity and Periodontitis.”