2025 AADOCR/CADR Annual Meeting & Exhibition Featured Presentations

Academic Success: Strategies for Sustainable Leadership
Organizer(s): Grace De Souza, University of Louisville, KY; Simone Duarte, University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine, NY; Erica Teixeira, University of Iowa, Iowa City
Sponsoring Group/Network(s): Cariology Research Group, Dental Materials Group, Periodontal Research Group, Women in Science Network

Advancements in Oral Cancer: Single-Cell Proteomics to Targeted Treatments
Organizer(s): Harim Tavares dos Santos, University of Missouri, Columbia; Rogerio Castilho, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor; Debora Heller, University Cruzeiro do Sul, São Paulo, Brazil
Sponsoring Group/Network(s): Salivary Research Oral Medicine and Pathology Group, Stem Cell Biology Group

Advancing Dental Research Through Biomaterials and 3D-Printing Innovations
Organizer(s): Lobat Tayebi, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA; Georgios Romanos, Stony Brook University, NY
Sponsoring Group/Network(s): Clinical and Translational Science Network, Craniofacial Biology Research, Dental Materials, Implantology Research, Mineralized Tissue, Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Research, Periodontal Research

Advancing Restorative Solutions: From Substitution to Regeneration
Organizer(s): May Anne Melo, University of Maryland, College Park; Stefan Habelitz, University of California, Los Angeles; Isha Mutreja, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis; Nileshkumar Dubey, National University of Singapore
Sponsoring Group/Network(s): Cariology Research, Mineralized Tissue, Pulp Biology & Regeneration Research

Anatomy of a Multi-Site Clinical Trial: Opioid Analgesic Reduction Study
Organizer(s): Cecile A. Feldman-Zohn, Rutgers School of Dental Medicine, New Brunswick, NJ
Sponsoring Group/Network(s): Clinical and Translational Science Network

Barriers to Translate Drug and Device Innovation for Dental Caries
Organizer(s): Peter Milgrom, University of Washington, Seattle; Margherita Fontana, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
Sponsoring Group/Network(s): Cariology Research, Clinical and Translational Science Network, Pediatric Oral Health Research

Beyond the NIH Career Development Awards: Navigating transition to Independence
Organizer(s): Amanda Melillo, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD; Shoba Thirumangalathu, National Institutes of Health/National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, Bethesda, MD; Rachel Sare, National Institutes of Health/National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, Bethesda, MD
Sponsoring Group/Network(s): Dental Materials, Pulp Biology & Regeneration Research, Salivary Research

Big Data and AI in Dentistry: Progress and Challenges
Organizer(s): Bunmi Tokede, The University of Sydney, Australia; Tamanna Tiwari, University of Colorado, Denver, Heiko Spallek, The University of Sydney, Australia; Jane Barrow, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA
Sponsoring Group/Network(s): Behavioral, Epidemiologic, and Health Services Research, Clinical and Translational Science Network, Digital Dentistry Research Network

Bioinspired Therapeutics for Periodontal Tissue Management
Organizer(s): Hatice Hasturk, The Forsyth Institute, Cambridge, MA; Marco Bottino, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
Sponsoring Group/Network(s): Dental Materials, Periodontal Research, Pulp Biology & Regeneration Research

Bridging Gaps in Translating Advanced Dental Materials to Amalgam Alternatives
Organizer(s): Orlando Lopez and Jennifer Webster-Cyriaque, National Institutes of Health/National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, Bethesda, MD
Sponsoring Group/Network(s): Dental Materials, Mineralized Tissue, Pediatric Oral Health Research

Building Consensus on Sex and Gender in Research
Organizer(s): Stefanie Russell, Rutgers School of Dental Medicine, New Brunswick, NJ; Linda Kaste, University of Illinois, Chicago
Sponsoring Group/Network(s): Behavioral, Epidemiologic, and Health Services Research, Women in Science Network, Network for Practice Based Research
Supported By: American Medical Women's Association

Cannabis and Oral Health: A Focus on Priority Populations
Organizer(s): Fabio Arriola, University of Toronto, Canada; Herenia Lawrence, University of Toronto, Canada; Abbas Ali Jessani, Western University, London, Canada; Jacob Rogers, University of Toronto, Canada
Sponsoring Group/Network(s): Behavioral, Epidemiologic, and Health Services Research, Clinical and Translational Science Network

Can National Oral Health Research Strategies Help Oral Research?
Organizer(s): Paul Allison, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canda; Leigha Rock, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
Supported by: Canadian Association of Dental Research

Causal Models and Personalized Designs in Population Oral Health Research
Organizer(s): Cameron Randall, University of Washington, Seattle; Tamanna Tiwari, University of Colorado, Denver
Sponsoring Group/Network(s): Behavioral, Epidemiologic, and Health Services Research, Clinical and Translational Science Network, Global Oral Health Inequalities Research Network, Oral Health Research, Periodontal Research

Clinical Research Rotation Promotes Multidisciplinary Practice-Based Training
Organizer(s): Leela Subhashini Alluri and Ethel Harris, Meharry Medical College School of Dentistry, Nashiville, TN
Sponsoring Group/Network(s): Evidence-based Dentistry Network, Oral Health Research, Periodontal Research

Consensus Report from IADR IRG BEC on Peri-implantitis and Management
Organizer(s): Sukirth Ganesan, The University of Iowa College of Dentistry and Dental Clinics, Iowa City; Georgios Kotsakis, Rutgers University School of Dental Medicine, New Brunswick, NJ
Sponsoring Group/Network(s): Implantology Research

Evidence-Based Interventions for Non-Truamatic Dental Conditions in the ED
Organizer(s): Tumader Khouja, University of Florida, Gainesville; Astha Singhal, University of Florida, Gainesville
Sponsoring Group/Network(s): Behavioral, Epidemiologic, and Health Services Research, Oral Health Research, Women in Science Network

Evolution, Morphogenesis and Protein Engineering in Saliva and Salivary Glands
Organizer(s): Rose-Anne Romano, State University of New York at Buffalo; Harim Tavares dos Santos, University of Missouri, Columbia
Sponsoring Group/Network(s): Salivary Research

GenNext: Oral Health Research by Trainees and Early Career Scientists
Organizer(s): Debora Heller, University Cruzeiro do Sul, São Paulo, Brazil; Frank Maslow, University of Missouri, Columbia; Harim Tavares dos Santos, University of Missouri, Columbia
Sponsoring Group/Network(s): Salivary Research Periodontal Research Group, National Student Research Group, Education Research Group

Host-Pathogen Interaction in Oral Cavity in 3D
Organizer(s): Janina Lewis, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond; Kevin Byrd, American Dental Association Science & Research Institute, Chicago, IL
Sponsoring Group/Network(s): Microbiology, Immunology, Periodontal Research, Women in Science Network

Immune Dynamics in Periodontal Health and Disease
Organizer(s): Carla Alvarez Rivas, University at Buffalo, NY; Nicolas Dutzan, University of Chile, Santiago
Sponsoring Group/Network(s): Microbiology/Immunology, Periodontal Research

Insights into Salivary Gland Repair and Function Preservation
Organizer(s): Harim Tavares dos Santos, University of Missouri, Columbia; Kihoon Nam, University of Missouri, Columbia
Sponsoring Group/Network(s): Salivary Research, Stem Cell Biology Group

Learning Health Systems in Dentistry: The Role of Data Infrastructure
Organizer(s): Heiko Spallek and Bunmi Tokede, The University of Sydney, Australia
Scientific Group/Network(s): Clinical and Translational Science Network, Network for Practice-based Research

Legacy of Innovation: Honoring Pioneers in Salivary Research
Organizer(s): Harim Tavares dos Santos, University of Missouri, Columbia; Debora Heller, University Cruzeiro do Sul, São Paulo, Brazil
Scientific Group/Network(s): Salivary Research

MIND the Future: The Science and Power of Mentoring
Organizer(s): Sheri Herren, International Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research, Alexandria VA; Natasha Mickel, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Norman
Scientific Group/Network(s): Women in Science Network, AADOCR MIND the Future
Supported by: National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research

Monitoring Oral Health Remotely
Organizer(s): Colman McGrath, The University of Hong Kong; Ananda Dasanayake, New York University, New York; Chun Wang Chau, The University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam
Scientific Group/Network(s): Behavioral, Epidemiologic, and Health Services Research, Dental Anesthesiology and Special Care Research, e-Oral Health Network, Oral Health Research

NIDCR DDS Hub – Leverage Data Science for Oral Health Research
Organizer(s): Vidhya Venkateswaran, National Institutes of Health/National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, Bethesda, MD; Lu Wang, National Institutes of Health/National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, Bethesda, MD; Alonso Carrasco-Labra, Penn Dental Medicine, Philadelphia, PA
Scientific Group/Network(s): Behavioral, Epidemiologic, and Health Services Research, e-Oral Health Network, Global Oral Health Inequalities Research Network, Oral Health Research

Oral Biomarkers as Indicators of Periodontal, Peri-Implant, and Systemic Health
Organizer(s): Sukirth Ganesan, The University of Iowa College of Dentistry and Dental Clinics, Iowa City; Debora Heller, University Cruzeiro do Sul, São Paulo, Brazil
Scientific Group/Network(s): Implantology Research, Periodontal Research, Salivary Research

Oral Health and Systemic Health: Implications for Aging and Cognitive Decline
Organizer(s): Bei Wu, New York University, NY
Scientific Group/Network(s): Geriatric Oral Research

Organ on a Chip Platforms for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Diseases
Organizer(s): Stella Alimperti, Georgetown University, Washington, D.C.; Chiara Ghezzi, University of Massachusetts at Lowell
Scientific Group/Network(s): Periodontal Research, Pulp Biology & Regeneration Research, Women in Science Network

Pathways to Improve Teaching and Learning through Scholarship
Organizer(s): Se-Lim Oh, University of Maryland, College Park
Scientific Group/Network(s): Education Research

Precision Oral Oncology in Radiation Therapy for Head and Neck Cancers
Organizer(s): Raj Nair, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ; Steven Singer, Rutgers School of Dental Medicine, New Brunswick, NJ
Scientific Group/Network(s): Diagnostic Sciences, Oral Medicine & Pathology

Recent Updates on NIH Policies that Impact Submission and Peer Review
Organizer(s): Rachel Sare, Christopher Campbell, Gabriel Hidalgo, and Yasaman Shirazi, National Institutes of Health/National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, Bethesda, MD
Scientific Group/Network(s): Dental Materials, Mineralized Tissue, Salivary Research

Regenerative Dentistry
Organizer(s): Peter Ma, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor; Pamela Yelick, Tufts University, Somerville, MA
Scientific Group/Network(s): Craniofacial Biology Research, Stem Cell Biology Research

Salivary Secrets: Revealing Oral Microbial Dynamics
Organizer(s): Harim Tavares dos Santos, University of Missouri, Columbia; Debora Heller, University Cruzeiro do Sul, São Paulo, Brazil; Naile Dame-Teixeira, University of Brasilia, Brazil)
Scientific Group/Network(s): Salivary Research Group, Cariology Research Group

Salute to Terrie Cowley: An Indefatigable Leader for TMJ Research
Organizer(s): Hai Yao, Clemson University, SC; Janice lee, National Institutes of Health/National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, Bethesda, MD
Scientific Group/Network(s): Craniofacial Biology Research, Neuroscience, Women in Science Network

SARS-CoV-2 and the Oral Cavity: Understanding Mechanisms and Impacts
Organizer(s): Gill Diamond, University of Louisville School of Dentistry, KY; Afsar Naqvi, University of Illinois, Chicago; Kevin Byrd, American Dental Association Science & Research Institute, Chicago, IL
Scientific Group/Network(s): Microbiology, Immunology, Periodontal Research

Sjögren’s Disease Advances: Oral/Systemic Management, Patient Insights, Research
Organizer(s): Julie Frantsve-Hawley, Sjogren’s Foundation, Reston, VA
Scientific Group/Network(s): Behavioral, Epidemiologic, and Health Services Research, Cariology Research, Oral Medicine & Pathology, Salivary Research

The Odontoclast - Recent Discoveries on Normal and Abnormal Function
Organizer(s): Joy Richman, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
Scientific Group/Network(s): Mineralized Tissue, Orthodontics Research

Training Opportunities Provided Through the NIDCR
Organizer(s): Rachel Sare, Belinda Hauser, and Jacqueline Mays, National Institutes of Health/National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, Bethesda, MD
Scientific Group/Network(s): Microbiology/Immunology, Mineralized Tissue, Pulp Biology & Regeneration Research, Salivary Research

Unraveling Sjögren's Disease: Toll-Like Receptors, TYK2, and T Cell Mechanisms
Organizer(s): Kimberly Jasmer, Department of Oral Immunology and Infectious Diseases, University of Louisville, KY; Harim Tavares dos Santos, University of Missouri, Columbia
Scientific Group Network(s): Salivary Research, Microbiology/Immunology Group, Oral Medicine & Pathology

Whose Data is It? Data Equity and Sovereignty in Oral Health Research
Organizer(s): Judith Albino, University of Colorado, Denver; Tamanna Tiwari, University of Colorado, Denver; Abbas Jessani, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, London, Ontario, Canada
Scientific Group Network(s): Behavioral, Epidemiologic, and Health Services Research, Women in Science Network

Hands-on Workshops (HOW) will take place at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. Registrations will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis. For workshops that have limited attendance and/or a fee associated, if you register in advance a ticket will be printed on your name badge sheet. Individuals on the waiting list are encouraged to arrive at the applicable session at the meeting case there are attendees who do not show up; entry will be facilitated by the Organizer.

Wednesday, MARCH 12, 2025
12:15 p.m. – 1:15 p.m.

HOW #1: AADOCR/CADR/NIDCR Mentoring and Networking Lunch
Must register to attend: Ticket fee $35 USD

Organizer(s): Sheri Herren, International Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research, Alexandria, VA; Rachel Sare, National Institutes of Health/National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, Bethesda, MD; Shoba Thirumangalathu, National Institutes of Health/National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, Bethesda, MD; Lynn King, National Institutes of Health/National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, Bethesda, MD
Sponsoring Group/Network(s): AADOCR MIND the Future
Description: This session is aimed at facilitating interactions among predoctoral students, postdoctoral scientists, and dental, oral, and craniofacial research investigators. It is designed to provide an informal venue for early career scientists to obtain guidance on their research and research career trajectories, and to expand their network of mentors and peers to support and facilitate their research career success. Mentors will be encouraged to lead informal, motivational, and realistic discussions about developing a successful research career. Lunch tables will be organized by research topic or career pathway and one to two mentors will be available at each table. When registering, participants do not need to select a specific table or mentor and will be encouraged to move among tables and meet a number of mentors during the session. Annual Meeting attendees who register as students (e.g., graduate students, dental students, and postdoctoral researchers) will be able to sign up for the Mentoring and Networking Lunch for an additional fee through the meeting registration site.

Friday, MARCH 14, 2025
8 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.

HOW #2: AADOCR Faculty Development Workshop - Part 1
Organizer(s): Sheri Herren, International Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research, Alexandria, VA; Natasha Mickel, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Norman; Eric Bernstein, University of Conneticut Health, Farmington
Sponsoring Group/Network(s): Women in Science Network, AADOCR MIND the Future
Description: This workshop is a part of the NIDCR-funded AADOCR Mentoring an Inclusive Network for a Diverse Workforce of the Future (AADOCR MIND the Future) and is intended for all faculty and postgraduate students. Women and underrepresented minority students and faculty are often lost along the research pathways. This session will examine how to effect change and promote diversity within your research workforce including faculty and department leadership actions in the recruitment and retention process. Presenters will address diversity and inclusion and examine unconscious bias through an interactive process. This proposal is relevant to this meeting as it pertains to faculty and postgraduate students in attendance and addresses the critical need to educate faculty regarding strategies to increase diversity in their own institutions. Presented in 2024, this session is updated this year with evolving research and strategies to continue this important conversation.

Friday, MARCH 14, 2025
2 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

HOW #3: AADOCR Faculty Development Workshop - Part 2
Organizer(s): ): Sheri Herren, International Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research, Alexandria, VA; Effie Ioannidou, University of California, San Francisco; David Drake, University of Iowa, Iowa City
Sponsoring Group/Network(s): Women in Science Network, AADOCR MIND The Future
Description: This workshop is part of the NIDCR-funded AADOCR Mentoring an Inclusive Network for a Diverse Workforce of the Future (AADOCR MIND the Future) and is intended for mentors and senior faculty. Current evidence has supported the significance of faculty development as a tool for academic retention and advancement. This workshop is designed to support the processes of mentoring and career development. The workshop focuses on mentoring the mentors with a goal to promote effective communication skills, to closely mentor mentees in all aspects of their academic growth and to present techniques to synchronize mentor and mentee expectations. This proposal is relevant to this meeting as it pertains to mentors and senior faculty in attendance and addresses the importance and need for mentoring processes within institutions. Presented in 2024, this session is updated this year with the latest in mentoring research and strategies.

Friday, MARCH 14, 2025
8 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.

HOW #4: Building your Scientific Brand: Tips for Scientific Communication and Presenting
Organizer(s): Shawn Hallett, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor; Sarah Aitken, University of Minnesota School of Dentistry, Minneapolis; Rachel Kulchar, University of California, Los Angeles School of Dentistry
Sponsoring Group/Network(s):Education Research, Student Training and Research (STAR) Network, Canadian Association for Dental Research, National Student Research Group
Description: Effective scientific communication is essential to ensuring the dissemination of complex scientific information to diverse audiences. Without the proper tools for communication, scientists commonly fail to showcase the importance of their scholarly work and emphasize possible implications for human health. This Hands-on Workshop, intended for trainees of all types (e.g. dental and dental hygiene students, graduate students, dual-degree students, and post-docs) and early-stage faculty, focuses on honing scientific pitches pertaining to research in basic and clinical sciences as well as topics relating to public policy. Our diverse group of expert speakers will provide tips and tricks to enable participants to bridge knowledge gaps between researchers and the general public (important in combating misinformation), perform high-impact research, and foster successful collaborations. Participants will also be given the opportunity to formulate and practice their scientific elevator pitch through small group discussions facilitated by the panelists and session organizers. Elevator pitches have been shown to be effective for networking events, job interviews, and presenting at scientific conferences. Thus, participants of this proposed workshop will gain a great deal of knowledge and practice to hone their presenting skills during this session, ultimately enabling them to more effectively share their scholarly work.

Friday, MARCH 14, 2025
2 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

HOW #5: Women in Science Network: Bridging the GAP!
Organizer(s): Patricia Miguez, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill; Modupe Coker, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia; Ariadne Letra, University of Pittsburgh, PA; Flavia Pirih, University of California, Los Angeles
Sponsoring Group/Network(s): Craniofacial Biology , Dental Materials, Periodontal Research, Women in Science Network, Network for Practice-Based Research
Description: This workshop aims to support women scientists in bridging the gap between school/early career and a successful upward trajectory in a scientific/academic career path. WISN officers will gather women leaders with successful trajectories in academia to describe their journey, challenges, and what helped them achieve their goals. This workshop will be tailored to recent graduates who seek advice on getting their academic careers started, assistant professors seeking to become established researchers, and mid-career professionals who may be in doubt about current and future career path choices beyond science and how to best pursue them.

Saturday, MARCH 15, 2025
9:30 a.m. – 11 a.m.

HOW #6: Publishing your Manuscript: A JDR Perspective
Organizer(s): Nicholas Jakubovics, Newcastle University, England, UK
Sponsoring Group/Network(s): IADR/AADOCR
Description: Publication in scientific journals is a key part of the research process, providing validation and visibility for your work. This session will help you to construct a clear and critically-balanced manuscript and disseminate your research to the target audience. We will provide insights into the editorial decision-making process at journals. There will be a particular emphasis on the Journal of Dental Research, although much of the session will be pertinent to scientific publishing in general.

Clinical and Translational Science Network

Immune-Enhanced Therapeutic Strategies for Peri-Implantitis
Geelsu Hwang, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia

Dental Materials

Responsive Technologies in Dentistry: Shaping the Future of Biomaterials and Treatment Strategies
Ana Paula Fugolin, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland

High-Speed Sintering Protocols for Dental Zirconia
Yu Zhang, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia

3D Printing of Ceramics in Bone Tissue Engineering and Drug Delivery
Susmita Bose, Washington State University, Pullman

Designing New Alloys with Enhanced Biocompatibility and Inherent Infection Control Using 3D Printing 
Amit Bandyopadhyay, Washington State University, Pullman

Color Ranges and Distribution of Human Teeth: A Prospective In-Vivo Study
Rade Paravina, University of Texas, Houston

Pediatric Oral Health Research

Addressing Alaska Native Children’s Oral Health Inequities: Lessons Learned from a Community-Based Sociobehavioral Intervention 
Donald Chi, University of Washington, Seattle

Salivary Research

Salivary Changes in Oral Cancer: For Better or Worse? 
Nisha D’Silva, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor

9th Annual Mini Symposium for Young Investigators
Organizer(s): Stephanie Momeni, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Bruno Lima, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Jens Kreth, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland
Supported by: Oregon Health & Science

Diversity Matters: Advancing Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research Leaders
Organizer(s): Makyba Charles-Ayinde, International Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research, Alexandria, VA, Dina Garcia, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Population Health, Richmond
Supported by: Colgate

Oral Epidemiology Forum 
Organizer(s): Benjamin Chaffee, University of California, San Francisco, Roger Keller Celeste, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil