AADOCR Member-At-Large Candidate 2024-2025
University of Minnesota
Graduation Date: 2025
Reasons for Running
Creativity and innovation blaze new paths to discovery and lay at the core of scientific values. I understand the difficulties and opportunities that dental researchers face as a DDS/PhD student. Efforts to not only encourage, but tangibly support, careers of budding clinicians, scientists, and clinician-scientists must value innovation and creativity. My experiences with university- and national-level leadership provide me an appreciation for opportunities that cross-pollination from disciplines outside of dentistry provides. My previous experience as AADOCR NSRG secretary reinforces my commitment and interest to the member-at-large position. It is imperative to prove that dental research truly values such a vibrant, sustainable future for itself by establishing collaborative opportunities to stop the extinguishing of promising, young dental research careers. My commitment to this advocacy is rooted in a track-record of change and an understanding of the transformative power that an enthusiastic group of researchers, with a broad prospective, may provide our research community.
If I would serve as MAL this year, I would like to continue spearheading the NSRG F30/F31/F32 Zoom workshop by collaborating with the current secretary Kristina Astleford-Hopper and other NSRG officers. I would like to organize an interactive talk and poster presentation Zoom workshop for current pre-dental and dental student members. I would also like to continue helping the NSRG board in publishing the NSRG Article - State of DDS/PhD Programs Across the Country. Finally, I would like to help the board in starting the Pre-Dental Student Poster Research competition by specifying requirements, application process, and judging criteria.
Research Conducted
My research has three main themes. The first theme is developing strategies to biofunctionalize dental surfaces for improved tissue healing and regeneration. These strategies take advantage of biologically derived peptides and bio-instructive polymers that can be readily deployed in operatories. One example of the materials we have developed is a unique set of polymers that support the formation of cell-matrix adhesive structures called hemidesmosomes. Second, I have a relatively long-held interest in evaluating the long-term durability of adhesives used in dentistry that are a foundational material used by nearly every clinician at every hour of practice. Third, and more recently, I have engaged in collaborative work focused on the evaluation of dental prosthodontic materials. These materials are being rapidly developed but clinicians have little information or guidance on how to properly use them for long-lasting clinical outcomes.
33 research articles, 5 review articles, 13 case reports and 1 book chapter; including 3 cover articles.
5 IADR/AADOCR research-related awards
NIH/NIDCR Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (F30)
23 I/AADR abstracts; session chair, symposium organizer, abstract reviewer.
Student Activities
Current
Current National Student Chapter Secretary/Treasurer, Society For Biomaterials
Three Minute Thesis Organizer, Society For Biomaterials
Minnesota SRG Treasurer
Former (selected)
AADOCR NSRG Secretary
National Student Chapter Bylaws Chair, Society For Biomaterials
Academic Freedom and Tenure Committee, University of Minnesota Senate Student Memorial Planning Committee, University of Minnesota Council of Graduate Students
Grant Review Committee, University of Minnesota Council of Graduate Students
Representative to the Council of Graduate Students, University of Minnesota Oral Biology Program
Alumni Advising Committee, Creighton University Honors Program
Awards
(selected and previously unmentioned) from the following organization and groups
University of Minnesota Graduate School, Bioengineering, Coatings, Society For Biomaterials, American Dental Association, Surfaces in Biomaterials Foundation, and Institute for Engineering in Medicine.