The 2025 College of Dentistry Research Day was held on February 28 to showcase students’ oral health research projects.
The event featured the 58th annual Frank M. Wentz Student Scientific Program and keynote speakers: Ken Bayles, PhD, UNMC Vice Chancellor for Research; Gerard Kugel, DMD, MS, PhD, Dean; Sumit Yadav, BDS, MDS, MBA, PhD, Interim Associate Dean for Research; and Sangamesh Kumbar, PhD, Professor.
“Each year, our third-year dental students, fourth-year dental hygiene students, and postgraduate students present the results of their original research projects,” said Amanda Dolen, assistant professor and Research Day committee chair. “They work with faculty mentors, gaining insight into how they can help shape the future of oral health through research.”
Presentations covered a range of topics, including clinical and basic sciences as well as educational research. The top three presentations were honored in three categories: postgraduate, dental, and dental hygiene.
2025 Dental Winners
- 1st Place: Mikah Hoppens and Tanner Delaney
Mentor: Dr. Ali Nawshad
“Genetically rescuing left palate: a potentially novel approach to correct palate cleft in TGFβ3 -/- mice” - 2nd Place: Carter Meyer and Samantha Hunter
Mentor: Dr. Richard Reinhardt
“The effectiveness of detecting plaque on tooth surfaces using traditional and AI monitoring” - 3rd Place: Elaina Spanel and Logan Spanel
Mentor: Dr. Amanda Wobido
“Impact of Polishing Systems on the Surface Roughness of Resin Composites”
2025 Dental Hygiene Winners
- 1st Place: Gloria Larkin and Allie West
Mentor: Jaimee Shropshire
“The Inhibitory Effects of Terminalia chebula and Camellia sinensis Plant Extracts on Biofilm Containing and Streptococcus mutans: An in vitro study” - 2nd Place: Jessica Nguyen and Jennifer Quebrado-Arcos
Mentors: Dr. Mark Beatty and Bobby Simetich
“Does Using Toothpaste Tablets Cause More Abrasion on Composite Resins Compared to Using Traditional Dentifrice?” - 3rd Place: Maddie Zaborowski and Morgan Sila
Mentor: Dr. Dona McCanlies
“In Vitro Study: Comparing Oil Pulling on Permanent Extracted Teeth with Kilgore Artificial Plaque to Not Using the Oil Pulling Technique to Reduce Plaque Index”
2025 Postgraduate Winners
- 1st Place: Dr. Duke Davis
Mentor: Dr. Richard Reinhardt
“Single cell RNA-sequencing identification of cell mediators involved in wound healing after single tooth extraction” - 2nd Place: Dr. Morgan Holmes and Dr. Karan Mirchandani
Mentor: Dr. Anne Williamson
“Comparison of Diameters of Trunatomy Rotary Files and Gutta Percha”