Dentistry Magazine | 2023
For the School of Dentistry Community
A message from the Dean
![Dean Keith A Mays DDS MS PHD in front of a logo of the School of Dentistry](/sites/dentistry.umn.edu/files/styles/folwell_full/public/2023-11/dean_keith_a.jpg?itok=1wcYL4vZ)
This past year has brought many successes and reasons to celebrate the mission-oriented work we engage in at the School of Dentistry every day.
Campus connections
Your annual updates from campus.
Student Life
Get to know current students, and see how they are making an impact in and outside the clinics.
![Group of students playing tennis, ice skating, and helping a child play a drum](/sites/dentistry.umn.edu/files/styles/folwell_full/public/2023-11/thinking_outside_the_cubicle_student_life_mosaic.jpg?itok=3BbMkMKS)
Thinking Outside the Cubicle
Outside activities enrich students’ lives—and make them better dentists.
This Year in Research
The School of Dentistry maintains a commitment to lifelong discovery through research. Our researchers have 65 active awards, including awards from the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, the National Cancer Institute and industry leaders. Researchers produced 119 publications in Calendar Year 2022. A full list of our researchers’ publications, as well as additional research news, is available on our website.
Mansky, collaborators receive NIDCR grant to study cryo-CLEM imaging of virus transmission
Louis Mansky, PhD, professor of basic sciences and director of the Institute for Molecular Virology, received an NIH R21 grant from the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research for his work on cryo-CLEM imaging of HTLV-1, along with Wei Zhang, PhD, research professor of basic sciences, and Joachim Mueller, professor of physics.
19th annual Research Day explores innovation and discovery
Hosted by Continuing Dental Education, Research Day brings together experts across the discipline to discuss cutting-edge discoveries and showcase progress made at the school and beyond. The event features a keynote, school research updates and poster presentations from learners.
![Burkitt's lymphoma cells](/sites/dentistry.umn.edu/files/styles/folwell_half/public/2023-06/shutterstock_1192704559.jpg?itok=yiVXYVXR)
Wang receives NIDCR grant to study Epstein-Barr Virus and cancer
Chong Wang, PhD, assistant professor of basic sciences, received an NIH R00 grant from the National Institute of Dental & Craniofacial Research for his exploration of Epstein-Barr Virus nuclear antigen leader protein.
Fok and colleagues receive NIH grant for multidisciplinary device development study
Alex Fok, BEng, PhD, director of the Minnesota Dental Research Center for Biomaterials and Biomechanics, received an NIH R61/R33 grant to develop a medical device development tool that accelerates the translation of new dental materials.
Dental hygiene learners explore their passions through research
Faculty in the Dental Hygiene program at the School of Dentistry are fostering research among their students—and it’s paying off.
Alumni and Development
![Dr. Keith A Mays and donors at the Celebration of Donors 2023](/sites/dentistry.umn.edu/files/styles/folwell_full/public/2023-11/2023celebrationofdonors-24.jpg?itok=atC5acou)
Dr. Keith A. Mays and donors at the Celebration of Donors 2023. Read more about this event.
![School of Dentistry alumni among finalists, semifinalists in MN Cup](/sites/dentistry.umn.edu/files/styles/folwell_full/public/2023-11/4768_mn_cup_2023_a7407586.jpg?itok=RmC0venO)
Three alumni achieved great success in the 2023 MN Cup, with one becoming a division runner-up and one placing second in the competition overall. Read more about the competition.
![A group of alumni smile and talk in McNamara](/sites/dentistry.umn.edu/files/styles/folwell_full/public/2023-10/Alumni%20Weekend%202023-25.jpg?itok=22Nw042C)
The School of Dentistry hosted its third annual Alumni Weekend on September 29 and 30. Read more about this event.
![Images of Stephen Hunter's family and the ASI Cart dedicated to Hunter](/sites/dentistry.umn.edu/files/styles/folwell_full/public/2022-10/Untitled%20design%20%286%29.jpg?itok=xoBtkTTD)
Thanks to the generosity of his family, Hunter’s legacy becomes a gift for future endodontics learners. Read more about this alumni story.