Research poster contest highlights excellence in student research

For the second year in a row, the School of Dentistry celebrated excellence in student research at Research Day with a research poster contest.

As part of the 22nd annual Research Day, which brought together researchers, students and practitioners to explore research that impacts care, the Office of Research and Discovery hosted a poster session. Thirty-three investigators, the majority of whom were students, showcased their research projects for attendees. A panel of judges selected first and second place winners, and audience members had the opportunity to vote for their favorite poster.

Sara Ong, researcher in the Minnesota Dental Research Center for Biomaterials and Biomechanics, received first place for her poster, titled “The viability of using phosphorescent particles in 3D digital image correlation to monitor surface strains on aligners.” 

Ong was drawn to a career in research because “you can learn something new every day. There’s always a different problem to solve and a hundred ways to approach it,” she said. “I also find it fulfilling to be part of the greater community of researchers, knowing that every new study plays a role in the advancement of science with the intention of benefitting all of us as a society in the end.”

Ong’s research focuses on methods of monitoring an aligner’s performance in a clinical setting. “It is difficult to measure forces experienced by aligners when worn by a patient, so the idea of being able to correlate these forces with an aligner’s surface strains, which are far more easily accessible, was very intriguing,” she explained. The team used Digital Image Correlation, which requires the use of black, painted speckles to track strains. 

“Our next problem was a cosmetic one,” she explained, noting that the black speckles were unappealing to patients. Ong’s poster examined the use of phosphorescent particles, which are excited by UV light but otherwise unnoticeable, and found that they perform comparably to black speckles. 

Ong participated in the poster session because “it was a good opportunity to share some of the research we have been working on at the MDRCBB, and to see what other interesting studies are going on in other labs.” 

She was surprised and excited to find that her poster had won. “I certainly felt very honored to have had my poster selected, amid so many other fantastic posters,” she said. 

Johan Alfaro Caballo, DDS ’29, received second place for his poster, “MRI Assessment of Jaw Muscle Metabolism in Chronic TMD Pain.” 

Alfaro has been involved in research since his undergraduate days. “Participating in research is an opportunity to create a meaningful, positive impact on people’s lives—not only in the present or coming years, but potentially far into the future,” he explained. “Research is not just about advancing knowledge, but primarily for improving patients’ lives.” 

That love for research encouraged Alfaro to continue to prioritize discovery as he began dental school, joining the Student Summer Research Program in the summer before his first year of school. “I thought it was an amazing way to be involved not only in research, but also with the School of Dentistry and to learn more about the innovative and leading-edge research happening.” 

Alfaro’s study “assesses putative jaw muscle metabolic dysfunction to better understand the pathophysiology behind chronic TMD pain and to develop effective treatment and increase positive outcomes,” he explained. This assessment is  performed using MRI imaging and T2 mapping. 

As a first-year learner, Alfaro was surprised to receive an award for his poster, and excited to have the opportunity to share his research. “I am so thankful to have had the opportunity to learn from Dr. Estephan Moana-Filho and his lab, the Summer Research Program coordinators and the other researchers this year,” he reflected.

The audience choice award went to Taylor Stewart, DDS ’28 and Student Summer Research Program fellow, for her poster, “Biocompatibility and Cytotoxicity of a Biodegradable Aligner Material.” 

Congratulations to the winners and all participants in this year’s research poster competition!