The Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC honored its student, resident, and faculty researchers during its annual research day celebration February 15 at the USC Galen Center.

It was a record year for research entries for the event; 120 posters were displayed by researchers from all educational levels in the Ostrow School of Dentistry as well the Division of Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy and Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy. Research topics varied widely; projects addressed stem cell regeneration, tooth decay prevention, hip fracture rehabilitation, interactive oral hygiene education, oral microbiology, autism therapy, and much more.

Randolph Hall, USC Vice President of Research, stated that research is USC’s “purpose for being” and praised the Ostrow School of Dentistry for its commitment to conducting and celebrating a wide variety of research into human wellness.

“You have an amazing range of talents crossing different disciplines,” Hall said.

In his opening remarks, Ostrow School of Dentistry Dean Avishai Sadan reaffirmed the importance of student research as well as the School’s dedication to providing research opportunities and infrastructure for students at all educational levels.

“We remain committed to growing this part of our enterprise,” Sadan said.

Keynote speakers included Louis Terracio, Vice Dean for Research at the New York University College of Dentistry; Markus Blatz, Chairman of the Department of Preventive and Restorative Sciences at the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine; and Beth Fisher, associate professor of clinical physical therapy in the USC Division of Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy.

DDS 2012 student Diana Lyu, who presented a project on 3D imaging analyses, said the student-centered, self-directed aspects of research benefit a student’s overall educational experience.

“Research is an integral part of education at USC,” Lyu said. “It helps you think with a different perspective.”

Kai-Yu Ho, a biokinesiology and physical therapy student, said 2012 marked her fourth time participating in Research Day. Her project examined the use of a novel imaging technique in determining the correlation between water and fat tissue surrounding the knee and a patient’s level of knee pain.

“Research Day is always a great experience,” Ho said. “I’m going to present this same work at a conference, so it’s a good way to get to know what questions people will have.”

In closing remarks, Ostrow School of Dentistry Associate Dean of Research Yang Chai commended participants and emphasized the importance of not only growing Ostrow School of Dentistry research activities but also celebrating the School’s research achievements.

“All of you have demonstrated your passion about doing research,” Chai said.

2012 Research Day Awards

Dean’s Research Award
Alireza Moshaverinia (Poster #26)
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Winston Chee

Advanced Specialty
1st Place – Alireza Moshaverinia (Poster #26)
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Winston Chee
2nd Place – Seena Patel (Poster #14)
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Anh Le

Biokinesiology & Physical Therapy, Musculoskeletal
1st Place – Jo Armour Smith (Poster #80)
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Kornelia Kulig
2nd Place – Shawn Sorenson (Poster #77)
Faculty Advisor: Dr. George Salem

Biokinesiology & Physical Therapy, Neural
1st Place – Alice Lee (Poster #89)
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Beth Fisher
2nd Place – Sudarshan Dayanidhi (Poster #90)
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Francisco Valero-Cuevas

Graduate, Post Doctorate
1st Place – Carolina Parada (Poster #52)
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Yang Chai
2nd Place – Rodrigo Lacruz (Poster #60)
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Michael Paine

Graduate, Pre Doctorate
1st Place – Elizabeth Jane McIlvaine (Poster #59)
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Stephen Yen
2nd Place – Chider Chen (Poster #61)
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Songtao Shi

Occupational Science & Occupational Therapy
1st Place – Sook-Lei Liew (Poster #64)
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Lisa Aziz-Zadeh
2nd Place – Leah Stein (Poster #66)
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Sharon Cermak

DDS Basic Science
1st Place – Hamid Barkhordar & Pooyan Nasibi (Poster #108)
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Yang Chai
2nd Place – Michelle Zin (Poster #106)
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Tina Jaskoll

DDS Clinical Science
1st Place – Peter Lee (Poster #115)
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Anh Le
2nd Place – Andrew Kiss (Poster #116)
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Anh Le

Innovative Scientific Achievement Awards
Yi Liu
Junichi Iwata

USC Stevens Institute for Innovation Most Innovative Award
Alireza Moshaverinia (Poster #26)

Certificates of Participation, Dental Hygiene Students
Courtney Mason, Jonathan Galvez, Lalita Paul, Jenny Tsang