AADOCR meeting highlights new generation of oral health research

Students shone as they represented the School of Dentistry at this year’s AADOCR Annual Meeting.

Held each year in March, the American Association for Dental, Oral and Craniofacial Research Annual Meeting and Exhibition brings together researchers from across the country and world to share research, network, collaborate and learn. The event includes poster sessions, research presentations and networking gatherings, and was held March 12-15 in New York.

As part of the event, Kristin Artinger, PhD, Associate Dean of Research and Discovery, hosted a gathering for alumni, students and fellow researchers. Throughout the conference and including during the school’s reception, more than 20 faculty and learners presented or showcased their research.

"The AADOCR annual conference in NYC gave us a chance to highlight the incredible work being done in the school,” Artinger reflected. “I am especially proud to see the success of the students' oral presentations and posters. They represent our research so well.”

Students at all levels indeed represented the school—from undergraduate researchers to PhD candidates.

AADOCR was the first conference experience for Zamzam Abdullahi, an undergraduate student at the University of Minnesota - Rochester, who presented her research conducted through MNCORE. Abdullahi, who had an interest in dentistry but also wanted to explore oral health research, joined the ten-week summer research and career development program to explore bone health in relation to ketogenic diets.

Abdullahi enjoyed the “wealth of opportunities available” at AADOCR. “I attended a variety of talks, presentations and poster sessions, with public health and oral research topics particularly capturing my interest,” she said. “It was a great opportunity to network with students, faculty and researchers while learning about ongoing studies and research opportunities in dentistry.”

She enjoyed the opportunity to present her research and refine her communication of complex oral health topics, as well as the reminder of the value of dental research. “One of my biggest takeaways was the value of mentorship. Having guidance from experienced researchers and professionals made a significant impact on my experience,” she reflected. “I learned that research requires dedication, patience and adaptability. AADOCR reinforced the significance of research in dentistry, where many questions remain unanswered.”

Martha Lucas, DDS ’27, presented her student summer research at the conference. “It was especially meaningful to see the research I began working on this past summer reach a culmination at the conference,” she said. “Having started the project before any data was collected, witnessing it evolve into a more complete form with results that aligned with our initial expectations was truly gratifying.”

Lucas worked with Boyen Huang, DDS, MHA, PhD, associate professor of dental public health, to explore the use of smartphone cameras as an alternative to intraoral cameras for capturing photographs and conducting intraoral assessments.

The experience of presenting her research “provided me with invaluable insights that will undoubtedly impact my future studies,” she said. Lucas was particularly struck by the direct applicability of her research to real-world scenarios, and by the presence of student researchers throughout the conference. “Everyone was eager to learn from each other, share their findings and contribute to the collective knowledge with the goal of teaching others,” she said. “The atmosphere of curiosity, collaboration and shared commitment to advancing our understanding of health care was motivating and a powerful reminder of how impactful research can be in driving meaningful change.”

Sarah Aitken, DDS/PhD candidate, competed in the Student Competition for Advancing Dental Research and its Application (SCADA) for the first time—and won the basic and translational science category for her work on binding mechanisms and transcriptional regulation of AgI/II adhesins in Streptococcal bacteria.

Aitken was “honored” to receive the award, “especially among such a talented and accomplished group of dental student researchers. My interactions with the judges and everyone who visited my poster reminded me how important it is to be part of a supportive and collaborative community.”

In addition to competing in SCADA, Aitken also participated in the Microbiology/Immunology Group Mini-Symposium for Young Investigators, led a hands-on workshop on science communication and judged the National Student Research Group’s “411” competition.

“This year’s General Session provided an exciting opportunity to explore cutting-edge research and network with dentist-scientists in the vibrant atmosphere of NYC,” she said. “As someone aspiring to build a career in dental academia, the AADOCR conference is an invaluable opportunity to foster collaborations, learn new research techniques, spark fresh ideas and network with fellow future leaders in the field.”

Nicholas Fischer, PhD, DDS ’25, considers the AADOCR General Meeting “probably my favorite week of the year.”

This year was no exception for Fischer, who won the National Student Research Group Outstanding Student Research Award. The award honors students in dental research who are highly active in research and the group. “I was part of the leadership team for the group for a few years, and I’ve continued those projects through dental school,” he said. “I was excited to win because I know some of the former winners are launching successful careers—so it feels nice to follow in their footsteps.”

As he prepares to graduate from the PhD/DDS dual degree program, Fischer is grateful for the connections and experiences he’s gained year after year.

“I’m realizing that old phrase, ‘it takes a village,’ really is true, because of how much I’m relying on old and new mentors to help me get where I want to be,” he said. “I took time to seek out advice on my transition, and loved attending the receptions hosted by each school.”