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The International Association for Dental Research (IADR), held their annual meeting and exhibition on June 19 – 22, 2019 in Vancouver, BC, Canada. School of Dentistry’s research faculty and students traveled to present their research, attend the distinguished lecture series, and network with the international dental research community.

During the opening ceremonies, the Dr. Anibal Diogenes, Associate Professor in the Department of Endodontics, was presented with one of the highest honors bestowed by IADR; the 2019 IADR Distinguished Scientist Award in Pulp Biology and Regeneration. IADR presents this award to recognize and encourage outstanding research contributions in the field of pulp biology.

- Dr. Diogenes, how did it feel to receive such a prestigious award? “I was very surprised by this recognition – it is truly special to me since I was chosen by my peers from around the globe. I felt very humbled by this news as so many of my colleagues are also deserving of such an award. To date, this has been the greatest recognition I have received. It is a great feeling to do what you love and be recognized as a consequence.”

- What is your proudest contribution to the field of pulp biology and what have you and your team been currently working on? “Our studies on stem cells of the apical papilla in repair and regeneration of the injured dentin-pulp complex have had a strong impact in the field and I am very proud of that. Our team has been working on how innervation in the dental pulp regulates disease progression, but also repair and regeneration.”

This terrific honor arrives on the heels of his 2018 recognition of receiving the Journal of Dental Research (JDR) Cover of the Year Award. Just last year, an illustration from research conducted by Dr. Diogenes and his team was featured on the June 2017 edition. The design came from his team’s exploration regarding the creation of a scaffold material for living dental stem cells.

Additionally, dental students, sponsored by the Associate Dean for Research’s office, showcased their respective projects by participating in poster presentations. Senior student, Ola Ukaoma, 3rd year students, Bailey Bell, Robert Brock, Akshay Chhana, Ernest-Joel Elizondo, Nivia Grajeda, Gracen McGuckin, Elizabeth Sigala, John Swartout, and 2nd year student, Kylie Barroso attended the event.

Ola Ukaoma was selected to participate in the 2019 Student Competition for Advancing Dental Research and its Application (SCADA), co-sponsored by Dentsply Sirona and the American Association for Dental Research (AADR). The SCADA program strives to empower the next generation of dental leaders by showcasing student research and promoting oral health.

Ola presented her poster titled: “Oral Care Guide for the Caregiver”. Reflecting on her experience she says, “I represented our institution with my research on oral care skills of family caregivers of loved ones with dementia. I believe confidently educated caregivers can better support their loved one’s oral care needs. Over the last 60 years, this competition enabled students like me to present dental research in hopes of translating results into practice. It was amazing to be engaged with so many students, faculty, and clinicians interested in applying research to everyday challenges. I am honored to have been invited into this community of people striving to improve oral health.”