College hosts Research Fellow

College Hosts Collaborative Research Fellow

Born and raised in the small town of Piracicaba in São Paulo State, Mayara Zaghi Dal Picolo, D.D.S., M.S., did not let the pandemic stop her from a dream of pursuing a collaborative research project with the University of Oklahoma College of Dentistry.

Before Dr. Zaghi began her journey in research, she earned her doctor of dental surgery degree in 2015 at Piracicaba School of Dentistry (FOP-UNICAMP), where she discovered her passion for research. Upon graduation, she went on to complete a master’s program in restorative dentistry. It was during that time she opened up her private practice while still finishing up her master’s.

In 2017, Dr. Zaghi began a Ph.D. program under Dr. Vanessa Cavalli (mentor) and Dr. Marcelo Giannini (co-mentor) and was introduced to several techniques in materials science, oral microbiology and cell culture. Studying these new techniques gave Dr. Zaghi an interest in novel ceramic materials and their interaction with oral microorganisms and human cells. She presented her research results at national and international conferences such as International Academy for Adhesive Dentistry and the International Association for Dental Research.

At one of her presentations, Dr. Zaghi was introduced to the OU College of Dentistry through Fernando Luis Esteban Florez, D.D.S., M.S., Ph.D., division head of dental biomaterials, and Sharukh Khajotia, B.D.S., M.S., Ph.D., associate dean for research and innovation. In 2019, her research group came to Oklahoma to visit the college. During this time, she learned about the possibility of a collaborative research project to develop and characterize novel nanofilled dental glazes with long-term and nonleaching antibacterial properties.

“The possibility of a collaborative research project was very exciting to me. During my visit, I witnessed cutting-edge nanofabrication strategies and advanced characterization techniques that are routinely conducted in the Division of Dental Biomaterials, which would help me prepare to launch an independent and wellfunded research program.”

Upon her return to Brazil, Dr. Zaghi and her mentor, Dr. Cavalli began working on a research project to determine the effects of the incorporation of titanium dioxide nanotubes on the biological, mechanical and esthetic properties of commercially available ceramic glazes. They worked diligently to reduce the viability of oral microorganisms. Still, they ultimately felt that a collaboration with the college would help the research group to develop experimental glazes with fully functional metaloxide nanoparticles.

To collaborate, Dr. Zaghi had to participate in a six-month research-intensive doctorate sandwich scholarship (PRINT program) from the Brazilian Federal Foundation for Support and Evaluation of Graduate Education, to sponsor her collaborative research project with Dr. Esteban Florez. Almost a year after her acceptance into the program in November 2020, Dr. Zaghi was granted a visa to enter the United States and came to the college in September 2021 to start her research.

“We are very happy that Dr. Zaghi has selected our laboratory to expand her training on the development and advanced characterization of novel biomaterials,” said Dr. Florez, division head of dental biomaterials. “Dr. Zaghi comes from a scientific powerhouse in Brazil and she has a strong background on dental ceramics, microbiology and cell biology. Her work is anticipated to provide fundamental information regarding the loading, dispersion and functionalization of antibacterial metaloxide nanoparticles in dental ceramics. This will translate into novel materials with long-term and sustainable properties. Further, it will allow our group to develop secondary applications such as ceramic nanocoatings to control the cross contamination in hospitals, ambulances, dental practices, airports, train stations, etc., thereby decreasing the costs of health care to Oklahomans and nationwide.”

The Department of Dental Biomaterials uses cutting-edge scientific technologies that are hard to find elsewhere. Dr. Zaghi is happy to use them and gain knowledge while being in the United States to help her professional and personal career.

“Dr. Zaghi comes from a scientific powerhouse in Brazil and she has a strong background on dental ceramics, microbiology and cell biology. Her work is anticipated to provide fundamental information regarding the loading, dispersion and functionalization of antibacterial metaloxide nanoparticles in dental ceramics.”