LEONARD DAVIS INSTITUTE SUMMER RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP

In collaboration with the Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics and the Health Care Management Department of the Wharton School, PDM offers a fellowship for students interested in working on a health services or health policy research project during the summer between their first and second year of dental school. At the conclusion of the 10-12 week program, students present their research findings to faculty, staff, and fellow participants.

APPLICATION DUE DATE: March 1, 2023

CONTACT:

Margaret Yang, MseD Director of Student Affairs and Engagement, Penn Dental Medicine xiaojiao@upenn.edu

MORE INFORMATION: https://ldi.upenn.edu/ education/penn-ldi-trainingprograms/ldi-penn-dentalsummer-health-servicesresearch-fellowship/

Dual Degree

Students interested in pursuing a dual-degree program must submit an application to the PDM Dual-Degree Admissions Committee. The current dual-degree options are Master of Bioethics, Science in Bioengineering, Law, Science in Higher Education, Public Health, and Science in Translational Research. Each program has different admissions standards.

MORE INFORMATION: https://www.dental.upenn.edu/ admissions-academics/dmdprogram/dual-degree-options/

Aadr

2023 AADOCR/CADR

Annual Meeting & Exhibition will be held on March 15-18, 2023 in Portland, Oregon. The event will include oral and poster presentations, distinguished lecture series, and an exhibit hall. Students may submit abstracts of their research to be considered. Accepted students will present their research poster at the symposium.

ABSTRACT DUE DATE: October 19, 2022

MORE INFORMATION: https://www.aadocr. org/2023aaam

If you are interested in pursuing research, please fill out the Research Opportunities Request form: www.dental.upenn.edu/ researchoppsrequest

CAN YOU DESCRIBE YOUR RESEARCH?

I conducted a pilot in-vitro study to measure and compare the accuracy of full-arch digital implant impressions with intraoral scanning and photogrammetry systems. In particular, I investigated Denstply Sirona’s Primescan intra-oral scanner, Imetric’s ICam4D photogrammetry system and PIC dental’s PIC photogrammetry system. Essentially, I compared how accurately each technique recorded the positions of implants on a reference mandible.

WHAT MADE YOU DECIDE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE SUMMER RESEARCH PROGRAM?

Most of the information I learned as a D1 centered around the basic sciences and foundational dental concepts. By the end of D1, I wanted to expand my horizons and immerse myself in more modern and clinically relevant topics. Dentistry is like its own language, and the more you are surrounded by it, the more fluent you become. By doing research with Dr. Conejo, I knew that I would become more fluent in digital and implant dentistry- two fields I find interesting. I saw summer research as an opportunity to bridge my theoretical knowledge of dentistry to a more clinical situation. Ultimately, partaking in summer research allowed me to maximize my time at PDM in hopes of becoming a more competent clinician in the future.

HOW WAS YOUR EXPERIENCE PRESENTING AT THE GREATER NY DENTAL MEETING? HOW DID YOU GET THIS OPPORTUNITY?

I became aware of the Greater New York Dental meeting after receiving an email from Dr. Sahingur towards the end of the summer. She encouraged us to apply and try to present. After sending out my abstract, I was lucky enough to be one of the seven students who were accepted from Penn. The meeting’s atmosphere reflected the reputation of New York City — big, all encompassing, and diverse. There were dentists, dental students, hygienists, and assistants, as well as vendors from all over the United States and the world presenting and selling anything you could possibly think of relating to dentistry. Ultimately, the GNYDM was a great experience and opportunity to meet and network with many individuals within our professional field. While this may sound intense and intimidating, the atmosphere of the presentation was overall very relaxed. Even if you aren’t presenting, I would recommend dropping by the GNYDM.

WHAT DO YOU THINK IS THE MOST IMPORTANT QUALITY OF AN EFFECTIVE RESEARCHER?

To be an effective researcher, you need to have three crucial skills: communication, flexibility, and patience. In my experience, experiments rarely go right the first time and will rather take a significant amount of time. When things deviate from ideal, it is important to not rush the process and instead do some out of the box thinking to get back on track. In addition, effective communication between you and your PI, or with other labs, is crucial for moving projects along in a timely manner.

FUN FACT?

I can make Minute Rice in 57 seconds.

Summer Research Students

SANDRA AVILA

Analyzing intrinsic strength and translucency parameter of Novel Glass Ceramics

Faculty advisor: Yu Zhang

KELSEY BUSCH

Modulatory roles of primary cilia biogenesis in orofacial stem cell responsiveness to irradiation

Faculty advisor: Sunday Akintoye

FIONNA CHAN

The Effect of NF-kappaB in Mesenchymal Stem Cells During Orthodontic Tooth Movement

Faculty advisor: Helen Jeon

STEPHANIE DOMINGUEZ

A 3D-Printed Customizable Platform for Dynamic Studies of Oral Biofilms

Faculty advisor: Geelsu Hwang

STEPHANIE FERRER

The Effect of Yttria Gradient Composition on Flexural Strength of Printed Zirconia

Faculty advisor: France Mante and Michael Bergler

LINDSAY FISHER

The Effect of Aging on Mesenchymal Stem Cells Response during Maxillary Expansion

Faculty advisor: Helen Jeon

STEVEN FREDEEN

Direct Experimental Validations of VFEM

Stress Analysis of PVZ and PVLD Crowns

Faculty advisor: Yu Zhang

SIMRAN GREWAL

Comparing the Immunomodulatory Functions of Extracellular Vesicles Derived from Gingiva-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cell (GMSC) and Neural Crest Stem Cell (NCSC) on Macrophage Polarization

Faculty advisor: Qunzhou Zhang

SARA HA

The role of NF-kB in mesenchymal stem cells during tensile force-induced bone remodeling

Faculty advisor: Helen Jeon

MIRA-BELLE HADDAD

White Spot Lesion Reduction with the use of Chloroplast-made enzymes infused Chewing Gum

Faculty advisor: Henry Daniell

CHELSEA HERR

Skeletal and Dental Manifestations of Osteogenesis Imperfecta: Clinical Presentation and Determinants for Orthodontic Intervention

Faculty advisor: Hyun-Duck Nah-Cederquist

MEGAN HUNG

The Effect of Fisetin on Senescence Markers in Gingival Keratinocytes

Faculty advisor: Esra Sahingur

NINA IRADI

Do Diurnal Rhythms Modulate Pain Perception Induced by Third-Molar Extraction?

Faculty advisor: Katherine Theken

DANA KOST

Acceptance of HPV/COVID

Vaccines from Dentists

Faculty advisor: Katherine France

MATTHEW LEE

In vitro comparative study between fullarch implant level impressions with intraoral scanning systems – a pilot study

Faculty advisor: Julian Conejo

KRISTEN LEE

Effect of Intracanal Medicaments on Survival of Stem Cells of Apical Papilla

Faculty advisor: Sumin Lee

CHARLOTTE LENES

Investigating the role of epithelial origin in peri-implant tissue attachment and health

Faculty advisor: Kang Ko

NEDA MAHJOUR

Effect of B and T Cell Inhibitor

Biological Agents on Oral Health

Faculty advisor: Katherine France

TRENTON MARSHALL

Nanog/Pgc1α Regulates Mitochondrial Respiration for Craniofacial Tissue Homeostasis

Faculty advisor: Chider Chen

KATHRYN MASON

TET2-mediated clonal hematopoiesis effects on T lymphocytes

Faculty advisor: George Hajishengallis

RYAN NOSEWORTHY

Exploring the effects of layering techniques on the strength of novel gradient zirconia

Faculty advisor: Yu Zhang

TENY ODAIMI

Effect of hydrodynamic conditions on biofilm formation

Faculty advisor: Geelsu Hwang

ELEANOR RHODEHAMEL

Trafficking of LtxA in Human Monocytes, Implications for Aggressive Periodontitis

Faculty advisor: Kathleen Boesze-Battaglia

ANDREA RICCOBONO

Infection Control of Regenerative Endodontic Procedures: Effectiveness of All-in-One Irrigating Solution

Faculty advisor: Sumin Lee

SHIVANI SHAH

The Effects of Interleukin Inhibitors on Oral Health

Faculty advisor: Katherine France

JESSICA TAN

The Effect of Zeolite Incorporation on the Longterm Antibacterial and Anticariogenic Properties of Silver-Reinforced Glass Ionomer Cement

Faculty advisor: Fusun Ozer

NILA VEERABAGU

Oral and Dental Status of Patients taking TNF-Antagonists

Faculty advisor: Katherine France

DAVID WALL

Investigation of Systemic Inflammatory Markers in Blood Plasma Collected from Dental Implant Surgery Patients Treated with OTC Naproxen-Sodium (Aleve) or Acetaminophen

Faculty advisor: Katherine Theken

Clinical And Translational Research Honors

WENDY LEI

HUM Brush Study: effectiveness of a smartphone app in promoting autonomy in autistic children with brushing

Faculty Advisors: Eugene Ko, Michelle Shuster, Katherine France, Pat Corby

CERJAY LUGTU

FIRE Trial: real time pain symptoms in the burning mouth syndrome patient

Faculty Advisors: Eugene Ko, Michelle Shuster, Pat Corby

BASIC & TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE HONORS STUDENTS

THAO (ROSEMARY) DO

IL33 deletion in fibroblasts and its impacts on oral wound healing

Faculty advisor: Kang Ko

JULIE HONG

Regulation of the Epithelial Barrier Function via FOXO1/B-catenin/E-cadherin

Faculty advisors: Dana Graves, Helen Jeon

ANDREW MACELROY

Assessment of natural lignan secoisolariciresinol diglucoside in Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans (Aa) induced toxicity

Faculty advisor: Kathleen Boesze-Battaglia

PANKTI RANA

Characterization of Soft Tissue

Calcifications in a Diabetic Cohort

Faculty advisor: Adeyinka Dayo

BENJAMIN SHELLING

The effect of nanoscale delivery of quercetin in periodontal disease

Faculty advisor: Esra Sahingur

Student Presentations At Conferences

JAIME GUBERMAN

CBCT Usage in Post-Graduate Orthodontic Programs

2022 Greater New York Dental Meeting, November 25-30, 2022 (New York City, New York)

MATTHEW LEE

In Vitro Comparative Study Between Full-arch Abutment Level Implant Impressions with Different Intraoral Scanning Methods – A Pilot Study

2022 Greater New York Dental Meeting, November 25-30, 2022 (New York City, New York)

ALEXANDER LI

Do Urban Patients Have Selection Preferences for Academic Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons Based on Race?

2022 Greater New York Dental Meeting, November 25-30, 2022 (New York City, New York)

YILAN MIAO

The Impact of Novel Alveolar Bone Graft Materials on Orthodontic Tooth Movement: A Review

2022 Greater New York Dental Meeting, November 25-30, 2022 (New York City, New York)

BENJAMIN SHELLING

TLR9 Mediates Periodontal Aging by Fostering Senescence and Inflammaging

2022 Greater New York Dental Meeting, November 25-30, 2022 (New York City, New York)

NILA VEERABAGU

Oral and Dental Status of Patients taking Biologic Agents

2022 Greater New York Dental Meeting, November 25-30, 2022 (New York City, New York)

KANG KO, DMD, DScD

Assistant Professor, Department of Periodontics

Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and your background before coming to Penn Dental?

I graduated from UC San Diego with my bachelors and masters degree before coming to Penn Dental to get my DMD degree. I received my Periodontics training as well as my Doctor of Science degree from PDM and eventually became a faculty member here in 2021. At the time I knew I wanted to do research, I was deciding between pursuing a PhD and dentistry. I was leaning towards a PhD initially, but my mentor at the time who was also a periodontist guided me towards a path where you can combine clinical expertise and research at the same time, and that is what drove me towards this profession.

I have had excellent mentors throughout my education and while in dental school I went through the summer research program and the research honors program. From that aspect I have been a part of student research for a long time both as a student and as a faculty member.

Can you talk about what your ongoing research projects are?

My research right now is heavily involved in periodontology. I’m mainly looking at the wound healing processes and contrasting it to other parts of the body. As a periodontist, one of the things that we are lucky to have is that anything that we do surgically in the mouth typically heals very well with minimal scarring when compared to other parts of the body. There is quite a bit of opportunity from a biological perspective that we can uncover to understand why the oral cavity heals so fast.

I am particularly focusing on fibroblasts, which traditionally has been known as a boring cell type that just secretes extracellular matrix and is there to hold on to structures, but it turns out they are heavily involved in immune regulation and other pathologies. How special they are in the oral cavity with respect to why these wounds in the oral cavity heal so fast is something that is less explored. That is the basic focus of the lab—to understand how fibroblast biology in the oral cavity differs from other parts of the body and how we can take advantage of it therapeutically.

It is important to emphasize that we are dentists but we are also at an institution where we connect the mouth and the body. We extend our studies to other disciples so another thing that we’re focusing on is how skin fibroblasts modulate immunity in the skin. We have recently published a paper on how skin fibroblasts are heavily altered in pathologies such as atopic dermatitis and eczema. We are not just limited to the biology in the oral cavity—we’re always trying to connect everything that we see in the oral cavity to other parts of the body and how they differ because ultimately it is one body and we are trying to uncover the differences.

Is your lab open to interested students that would like to participate in your research?

We’re always open to taking students. I have been taking students ever since I was a resident researcher in Dr. Graves lab. Every year as a resident I would have a summer student or research honors student work with me, so I have mentored about 10 students so far. I encourage student involvement in research because I have had that experience and know what it can offer. Research is a huge component in a postdoctoral program—to learn how to read and interpret papers and what other people have published is very critical to how you operate as a clinician.

If you are interested you can always email me and reach out. I always encourage students to present their findings at Research Day and get exposure to the world of research by attending national research conferences. If anyone is interested they can always email me to talk and see if our interests align.

What has been the biggest challenge in your career so far?

Dental school and specializing costs a lot of money and this is a problem that is faced mostly by more recent generations. The problem with academia is there is a huge gap between established senior investigators and junior faculty. Looking at the student loans that you have collected is definitely discouraging, but there are a lot of opportunities to pay off your debt if you are involved in research including intramural student loan forgiveness programs as well as extramural loan forgiveness programs through the NIH. There are also a lot of scholarships from organizations that recognize that this is a problem for the new generation of researchers and academicians to offset some of that burden. That is not a problem that is restricted to me, but for anyone that is considering this type of future. Another challenge that I have faced in my career is the logistics of running the lab including hiring people which has been especially difficult since Covid. It is not a problem that I have overcome yet, but it is in progress.

What advice would you give to a younger version of yourself if you were to restart your dental and research career?

Be willing to learn and be open to opportunities while maintaining good academic standing. As a student your primary goal is to come out of school as a good dentist that cares for patients and is good with their hands. Learn to manage your time. Research is an excellent addition to all of this, but it should not be replacing your regular dental school curriculum.