Chicago, IL — The University of Illinois Chicago College of Dentistry held its 39th Annual Clinic & Research Day on March 5, drawing more than 480 faculty, staff, students, and alumni — and breaking its own record with 141 abstract presentations across six categories.
The event, chaired by Dr. Ana Bedran-Russo, associate dean for research and head of oral biology, featured work from undergraduates, dental students, postgraduate trainees, and residents spanning basic sciences, clinical sciences, educational research, population health sciences, case reports, and literature reviews. More than 150 presenters participated, with over 80 judges evaluating submissions and selecting 64 award recipients. Recognitions included honors from the Illinois State Dental Society Foundation, Omicron Kappa Upsilon, and UIC's Office of Technology Management.
The marquee moment of the day was the inaugural presentation of the Dr. Anne George & Dr. Carla Evans Award for Research Excellence, established by alumnus Dr. Jianjun Hao, '11, to honor two mentors who shaped his training in oral biology and orthodontics. The first recipient was Syed Farhan, a first-year dental student, whose abstract examined TGF-β-induced stress fiber formation in mandibular fibrochondrocytes — a study of molecular changes in TMJ degenerative progression — conducted under the mentorship of Dr. David Reed, associate professor in oral biology.
The keynote address was delivered by Jacques E. Nör, DDS, MS, PhD, Donald A. Kerr Endowed Professor of Dentistry and dean of the University of Michigan School of Dentistry, who presented on advances in stem cell applications for dental pulp tissue regeneration. Three UIC faculty also delivered short research presentations: Dr. Luisa DiPietro on her career path through dentistry and research, Dr. Sath Allareddy on big data and artificial intelligence in dental education and patient care, and Dr. Shlomo Elbahary on bridging clinical practice and research in endodontics.
Corporate support for the event came from gold sponsors Bisco and Envista, and silver sponsor GC America.
Clinic & Research Day is one of the longer-running annual research showcases in U.S. dental education. Its continued growth — both in abstract volume and attendance — reflects a broader trend among dental schools to invest in research culture at the predoctoral level, giving students early exposure to the scientific process before they enter clinical practice.
Source: UIC College of Dentistry