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Celebrate Research
School of Dentistry’s Research Day lauds the scientific investigation and innovation of students and faculty members.
By Beth Dunham
02/20/09
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Dean for Innovation and Discovery and Dean Sigmund Abelson present
Biokinesiology and Physical therapy student Christina Dieli-Conwright
with the Dean's Award | USC School of Dentistry students and faculty showcased their research
to both faculty judges and the public during the school’s third annual
Research Day, held Feb. 18 at the Galen Center.
The 76 projects spanned a variety of investigations and included
dentistry students, graduate students, postdoctoral fellows and School
of Dentistry faculty members, as well as students from the Division of
Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy and the Division of Occupational
Science and Occupational Therapy.
Francisco Valero Cuevas, associate professor of biomedical
engineering, delivered the plenary lecture on the integration of
engineering and neuroscience.
The 2009 Dean’s Award for the overall outstanding project went to
biokinesiology and physical therapy doctoral candidate Christina
Dieli-Conwright for “Influence of Hormone Replacement Therapy With
Maximal Eccentric Exercise on Estrogen Receptor Coregulators and
Skeletal Muscle Damage in Postmenopausal Women.”
The project also took top honors in the exercise science category of the biokinesiology and physical therapy awards.
Investigators presented important basic science discoveries on the
fundamentals of human health and movement. They also introduced
innovative new clinical approaches and treatment protocols, said
Richard Hull, Health Sciences campus senior director of innovation
advancement and business development with the USC Stevens Institute for
Innovation.
“I’m very impressed with the level of research presented as well as
how the researchers have thought about the practical application of
their research,” Hull said. “It really shows the culture of innovation
within the School of Dentistry.”
The winner of the USC Stevens Most Innovative Award, given to the
project with the highest likelihood of translating into practical use,
was postdoctoral graduate Zhan Huang for “Cell Proliferation and
Differentiation Guided by Bioactive Peptide Amphiphile Nanofibers
During Enamel Regeneration.”
The project explores certain factors that influence
biomineralization, the process by which tooth enamel accumulates
minerals in order to become rigid and strong.
“We hope to one day have the potential to restore the natural structural integrity of the tooth,” Huang said.
Research is an enriching activity for students at all levels to
participate in, and events such as Research Day teach students how to
share their valuable information with others, said Dennis Mangan,
School of Dentistry associate dean for innovation and discovery.
“Research Day is an example of how we communicate scientific data
and the conclusions that we draw from it,” Mangan said. “Research can’t
be done in isolation; it is never complete without communication.”
Pascal Magne, a Research Day faculty judge and School of Dentistry
director of esthetic dentistry, agreed that research is a great
opportunity for students to refine their communication skills.
“Many of their projects have very clinically relevant ideas,” he
said. “Research Day acts as a nice platform for students who then go on
to present their work at other professional meetings.”
Research Day is not only an opportunity to increase the common
scientific knowledge base, but it is a way for students to enrich their
personal learning experience, said Marcelo Freire, a predoctoral
graduate student and Research Day award winner.
“Research motivates and inspires students to be engaged and
involved in their learning,” Freire said. “It’s rewarding to come to
Research Day, present our work and get feedback. It’s how we learn and
grow.”
Complete List of Winners:
Dean’s Award for Overall Outstanding Project
Christina Dieli-Conwright
USC Stevens Most Innovative Award
Zhan Huang
Advanced Specialty Program Resident Awards
First: W. Daniel Han
Second: Derek Wong
Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy Student Awards
Exercise Science
First: Christina Dieli-Conwright
Second: David Erceg
Musculoskeletal Biomechanics
First: Shawn Farrokhi
Second: Szu-Ping lee
Neural Control and Motor Behavior
First: Shailesh Kantak
Second: Jill Stewart
Graduate Postdoctoral Awards
First: Jun-Ichi Iwata
Second: Kentaro Akiyama
Graduate Predoctoral Awards
First: Marcelo Freire
Second: Luis Henrique Schlichting
Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy Awards
First: Jess Holguin
Second: Sook-Lei Liew
Doctorate of Dental Science Student Awards
Basic Science
First: Mi Young Kim
Second: Joseph Yu
Clinical Science
First: Brik Nielsen
Second: Kyle Stanley
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