Executive Board

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Vernon Brightman Research Society Executive Board

The Vernon Brightman Research Society (VBRS) Executive Board members for the current academic year include the following individuals. They invite students with an interest in research to join VBRS.

CO-PRESIDENT: Kailin Baechle D’22 (1) CO-PRESIDENT: Alisa Lee D’22 (2) TREASURER: Noor Rehman D’22 (3) SECRETARY: Rachel Kogan D’23 (4) EVENTS DIRECTOR: Julia Jeong D’23 (5)

OUTREACH COORDINATOR: Yilan Miao D’23 (6)

NEWSLETTER EDITOR: Camille Banson D’23 (7)

D1 REPRESENTATIVES: Matthew Hershberger D’24 (8), Wendy Lei D’24 (9), Chintan Thakore D’24 (10), Gloria Wan D’24 (11)

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See listing below identifying the Board members.

VBRS PROPOSAL WRITING WORKSHOP

VBRS is the primary student research organization at Penn Dental Medicine. Named in honor of Dr. Vernon J. Brightman, a former PDM faculty member and proponent of student research, VBRS has created opportunities and gathered resources for students to help find their niche in research. The society promotes interest, participation, and appreciation of basic and clinical oral health research that keeps dentistry a science and research-based profession. VBRS is PDM’s chapter of the American Association for Dental Research (AADR) National Student Research Group. Dr. Francis Mante, Associate Professor in the Department of Restorative Dentistry, is the VBRS faculty advisor.

This newsletter highlights students’ research accomplishments, past and upcoming events, and student and faculty interviews. In February, VBRS hosted the annual proposal writing workshop to aid students applying to the Summer Research Program and Research Honors. Dr. Kang Ko explained the different components and requirements of the proposal. The event was well attended by D1s and has continued to be a beneficial resource for those interested in research.

Mentor/Mentee Speed Dating Event

On Saturday, May 15, the Vernon Brightman Research Society (VBRS) hosted its first-ever virtual research mentors speed dating event at Penn Dental Medicine. Seventeen PDM students, ranging from second- to fourth-year dental students, attended as ‘mentors’ to connect with approximately 25 members of the incoming class of 2025. Members of VBRS presented a short overview of the various research opportunities at the school, which was followed by small-group breakout sessions where incoming students were able to meet and ask questions to the current student mentors. The VBRS is very excited to meet all of the incoming students in person this fall and help them embark on their research and dental careers.