Supporting New Ideas | A message from the Dean
One of our strategic priorities over the past few years has been to increase our research presence through grants and publications. To support this, Kristin Artinger, PhD, Associate Dean of Research and Discovery and I discussed providing funding to junior faculty in support of their projects and ideas. Over the past two years Dr. Artinger has led an initiative to support pilot grants that foster collaborations between clinical and basic science faculty. We believe this is a great opportunity for us to invest in our faculties’ ideas that could lead to larger innovative scholarly activities and external funding.
This year, two grants were supported through the School of Dentistry’s Office of Research and Discovery and the Dean’s Fund for Achievement. The first study was a collaboration between Jae Sung Lee, PhD (Division of Biomaterials) and Amy Tasca, DDS, PhD (Division of Orthodontics), whose proposal investigates the use of biological based clear orthodontic aligners. They will test biodegradable polylactic acid as a material for orthodontic aligners to replace the non-recyclable materials currently used and polylactic acid material for biocompatibility, degradation, and mechanical strength. This will address environmental and economic challenges associated with aligner supply and waste.
The second study was a collaboration between Kristin Shingler, PhD (Division of Basic Sciences), Augusto Saldarriaga, DDS, MS, FACP (Division of Prosthodontics), Arpit Nirkhiwale, BDS, MS, CAGS, FICOI (Division of Prosthodontics) and Mike T. John, PhD, DMD, MPH (Division of Oral Medicine, Diagnosis and Radiology) focusing on optimizing denture fitting for optimal speech production and quality of life in non-English speakers. A significant number of patients whose preferred language is not English receive phonetic evaluation of sound production during denture fitting by pronouncing English words, thus creating inequities in patient care. This study will test the correlation between physical VDO measurements with spoken assessment and evaluate the impact of oral health quality of life in patients based on language usage in dental fittings.
These pilot grant awards are important to launch research for our junior faculty and I am excited that Dr. Artinger’s office has created these opportunities. There are also pilot grants for senior researchers branching into new or novel directions. I am also grateful for our donors who contribute to the Dean’s Achievement Fund that provides partial support for these pilot initiatives.