Summer Celebration of Donors highlights excellence in research and discovery

The School of Dentistry hosted its annual Summer Celebration of Donors on Thursday, June 11, showcasing excellence in research.

Held each summer, this event celebrates the school’s most generous donors, including current and new members of the President’s Club, Dean’s Circle and Heritage Society. The school honors donor generosity, shares updates and provides updates on student impact and research.

“We are here tonight to say thank you, not only for your support but also for your leadership and dedication to the School of Dentistry,” remarked Kristin Artinger, PhD, Associate Dean for Research and Discovery in her opening remarks. “You have made so much possible, including scholarships, faculty endowments, research advancements and capital projects.”

This year’s event centered on the theme “Research in action: Solving today’s greatest challenges,” inviting three School of Dentistry experts to give brief presentations showcasing the school’s cutting-edge research that impacts discovery.

Rachel Uppgaard, DDS, tenure-track associate professor of oral and maxillofacial surgery, shared her research on Fanconi anemia and the associated risk of squamous cell carcinoma. “Given the rapid nature of these malignancies, we can learn a lot about cancer from these patients,” she explained.

Uppgaard shared the research she has done with the Orofacial MRI Center at the University of Minnesota on early detection, as well as clinical trials focused on chemoprevention, bacterial analysis of salivary samples and understanding of metabolic pathways. She also provided updates on the education of dental students, including virtual reality programs and smartphone filming to enhance the experience of learning to administer local anesthesia.

“These innovations wouldn’t be possible without financial support,” Uppgaard said. “It’s our duty and our responsibility to find the best ways possible to teach our students.”

Boyen Huang, DDS, MHA, PhD, professor of dental public health and Assistant Dean for Faculty Development, then shared his research on AI-assisted diagnosis and teledentistry.

“Tonight I want to share a story about confidence: confidence in diagnosis, confidence in communication and confidence in the relationship between dentists and their patients,” he said. “And how a new generation of AI-assisted tools can help strengthen that confidence, especially in places where access to dental care is limited.”

Huang told attendees about his work at the Minnesota State Fair to build a dental dataset and subsequently teach an AI tool how to identify decays, cracks or wear patterns.

“This technology doesn’t just help dentists diagnose with confidence,” he said. “It also helps patients receive more reliable guidance: clearer images, better-supported assessments and more appropriate next steps in their care.” 

Finally, Artinger shared her research on neural crest development. Sharing the story of Rosie, a child at the School of Dentistry’s Cleft and Craniofacial Clinic, Artinger explained the mechanisms that cause craniofacial anomalies and potential pathways for preventing those defects.

“We hope to uncover not just genes, but how genes interact with the environment, to determine how the architects are able to build a face and prevent defects from happening in the first place,” she concluded.

Together, the researchers expressed their gratitude for the support that makes their work possible, and joined in the celebration of the generosity that keeps the school’s research, patient care and education possible.