The competition, which was held virtually this year, recognizes research in clinical science and public health research and basic and translational research.
Dentsply Sirona and the American Association for Dental Research (AADR) announced the winners of the 2020 Student Competition for Advancing Dental Research and its Application Awards (SCADA) program.
Traditionally, the competition and awards ceremony are held at the IADR/AADR/CADR General Session and Exhibition. However, the event had to be suspended because of the global COVID-19 pandemic. This year’s program was instead held as a virtual event, with U.S. dental students invited to participate in the 61st annual research competition virtually.
All US dental schools were invited to nominate a student to participate in the research competition in one of two categories—clinical science and public health research and basic and translational science. The participants submitted a complete portfolio for review to an international panel of judges. Research projects were submitted by 51 student clinicians and seven award winners were selected.
SCADA, started in 1959, is dedicated to two main goals. First, the program aims to strengthen the field of dental research by supporting young professionals in their research careers. Moreover, it offers a unique opportunity for students to network with clinicians and scientists from all over the world as they look to develop their skills and advance their careers. While the networking opportunity was curtailed, students interacted virtually and had the opportunity to showcase their work and gain valuable skills as they developed and virtually presented their research.
“Dentsply Sirona is proud to support the talented next generation of dental leaders at the beginning of their careers. The competition entries are so impressive with their high level of research and the students’ professionalism. SCADA is dedicated to advancing science and enriching the professional development of dental students. This mirrors Dentsply Sirona’s purpose to empower dental professionals and improve oral health worldwide. We are thrilled to support these future dental leaders in collaboration with the AADR, and we look forward to partnering with these dentists throughout their professional lives,” says Dr Teresa A. Dolan, vice president and chief clinical officer with Dentsply Sirona. “Congratulations to all participants in this year’s SCADA program who made a significant commitment to developing and presenting their research projects virtually. They quickly adapted to challenging circumstances and did an amazing job preparing their virtual research presentations!”
In the clinical science and public health research category, first place was awarded to Patrick E. Donnelly, University of Pittsburgh, for his research on Acellular Hydrogel Regenerates Vascularized Tissue in Root Canal Therapy. Second place was awarded to Kathryn Teruya, University of Missouri – Kansas City, for her research on Changes in Dental Student Empathy During Training. Third place was awarded to Taylor Robertson, University of Detroit Mercy, for research on spectral analysis of one-shade nanofilled resin composites under different lights.
In the basic and translational science category, first place was awarded to Tanner Godfrey, University of Alabama at Birmingham, for his research on BAF45A Mediated Chromatin Landscaping Controls Bone Formation. Tied in the second place, Blake LaTendresse, Creighton University, was awarded for his research on Testing Immunogenic Peptides Against Candida Albicans, together with Eric Mullins, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, for his research on Comparative Expression Of Exosome-Derived Dental Pulp Stem Cell (DPSC) MicroRNAs. Third place was awarded to Madison Aungst, University of Colorado, for her research on A Flow Cytometer Protocol for Quantifying Microbes in Dental Waterlines.
The SCADA Board of Directors also presented five awards recognizing leaders in dental research and academics. SCADA provides fellowship funding to promote continued scholarship and help support graduate education. Two post-doctoral students were awarded Henry M. Thornton SCADA Fellowships: Dr Nisarg Patel, University of California, San Francisco, and Dr Lauren Katz, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. In collaboration with the American Dental Association, SCADA also awarded ADA Foundation/Dentsply Sirona Research Award for Dual Degree Candidates to Dr Joy Kirkpatrick, DMD/PhD candidate at the Medical University of South Carolina.
The SCADA Board of Directors also supports and acknowledges leaders for their commitment to the advancement of dentistry with two additional awards. Dr Pandu Gangula from Meharry Medical College received the Burton C. Borgelt/SCADA Faculty Advisor Award. Dr Rada Sumareva, a private practice periodontist and long-serving SCADA judge, was honored with the Alan J. Davis/SCADA Achievement Award. Dr Yoko Ishida-Okumura from the Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences in Japan was recognized for her service on the SCADA Board of Directors.
