Southern Illinois University’s School of Dental Medicine is once again in the national spotlight as three students have captured national research awards.
A student research fellowship from the American Association for Dental Research belongs to Casey Ritchhart, first-year SDM student. Ritchhart, who is mentored by Anita Joy, BDS, Ph.D., assistant professor and section head of anatomy, is one of only 21 individuals in the country to receive this fellowship.
“I’m truly thankful to have been given this opportunity,” said Ritchhart, whose topic of research is gingival overgrowth. “A significant portion of transplant patients, epileptics and hypertensive patients will develop GO. Currently there is not a viable, non-surgical treatment for this disfiguring condition. This study will provide the groundwork in understanding how ultraviolet photo treatment can alter gingival overgrowth.”
Ritchhart has worked with Joy since 2012. The AADR award totals $2,100 along with $600 additionally to cover Ritchhart’s travel expenses for presenting her findings at a future AADR conference.
“The SIU School of Dental Medicine has a rich history of developing exemplary clinicians, and often a critical part of that journey is being involved with research,” Joy said. “Students involved with research projects go the extra mile to make time out of their incredibly busy academic schedules. They are truly deserving of recognition.”
SDM third-year student Alex Hawkins won third place in the Dentsply Caulk research competition at the 43rd annual meeting and exposition of the American Association for Dental Research. Hawkins’ mentor is M. Jane Gillespie, Ph.D., professor, section head of microbiology and former director of research. The National Student Research Group sponsored the competition with support from Dentsply, a U.K.-based dental supplies manufacturer.
Hawkins’ poster, entitled “Comparative Disinfection of Enterococcus faecalis Loaded Root Canals,” concentrated on research specific to endodontic irrigants.
“The research that was presented at the competition, involved comparing different root canal irrigants based on how well they cleaned the canal and killed the bacteria,” Hawkins said. “My background as a biology major at SIUE and my previous research, which involved microbiology, initiated my interest in the topic, as well as the importance of successful root canal treatments in the field of dentistry.”
Several SIU SDM students have recently been awarded national and statewide awards for their research, including Patrick Farrow, a third-year SDM student. He has received an award for his presentation at a recent dental conference. His mentor is Kevin Rowland, Ph.D., associate professor, section head of physiology and director of research in the Department of Applied Dental Medicine.
Gillespie said she is extremely proud of these students.
“One has to actually be in dental school to realize how time consuming the curriculum is,” said Gillespie. “Students like Alex, who can find time to not only do the research, but also to successfully compete for national and international recognition, are exceptional.
“We are fortunate at the SDM to have administrative support for a research infrastructure that encourages a dedicated group of research faculty to find and mentor these exceptional students. It has been a pleasure working with Alex, because she is dedicated to excellence in whatever she does.”
Photo: SIU SDM third-year student Alex Hawkins.