Expanded Research and Clinical Excellence Day Celebrates Discovery Across School, and Beyond

Event photo gallery on Facebook

A full-day program at UCLA’s Kerckhoff Grand Salon and Ackerman Grand Ballroom on Wednesday, Feb. 28, enabled the UCLA School of Dentistry and wider scientific communities to learn about oral health care innovation happening in both the laboratory and patient clinics. Two keynote speakers and expanded award opportunities for Bruin scholars punctuated an expanded Research and Clinical Excellence Day 2024 that also included presentations from campus partners and a vendor fair.

Following opening remarks from Associate Dean of Research Yvonne Hernandez-Kapila and Dean Paul Krebsbach, UCLA’s Vice Chancellor of Research Roger Wakimoto delivered his “State of University Research” address, highlighting increased funding, new partnerships, and support systems to help researchers navigate the campus’ vast infrastructure.

Representatives of several invaluable collaborators with the School then took the lectern, including UCLA’s Research Information Systems, Clinical and Translational Research Center, Environmental Health & Safety, and Life Sciences Business Development.

Transitioning to scientific discovery, UC San Francisco’s Dr. Joel White presented a lightning talk on powerful applications of artificial intelligence in the dental clinic, while several School of Dentistry faculty members did the same on topics ranging from childhood caries to tissue and bone regeneration.

“I think our morning session really set the tone for the day’s theme of collaboration,” Dr. Hernandez-Kapila said. “We are grateful for so many partners – at UCLA and further afield – joining us to share their expertise.”

After attendees fueled up at lunch, it was time for complementary keynotes spanning both oral health research and clinical dentistry. UC San Francisco Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery Dr. Tamara Alliston presented her findings on Osteocytic Mechanisms of Bone Fragility and Joint Disease, while School of Dentistry Professor of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Dr. Tara Aghaloo meticulously described Bone Therapeutics: Translational Findings with Clinical Applications.

Seats in Kerckhoff’s Grand Salon were at a premium as UCLA D.D.S. students and postgraduate researchers filed in to support peers who earned top marks in the poster competition held Feb. 21. Fourteen research and clinical scholars presented their findings, with awards then announced in three categories: 1) Dental Students, 2) Master’s Candidates/Residents/Trainees, and 3) Ph.D. Candidates/Postdoctoral Fellows, as judged by faculty volunteers recruited by the Research Advisory Committee. Please see the complete winners’ list below.

Adding some fun to the afternoon, Senior Associate Dean Sotirios Tetradis played quizmaster and led the audience in an app-based trivia game, Kahoot!, to test their knowledge of the presented subject matter.

Festivities transitioned to the Ackerman Grand Ballroom as all 53 Research and Clinical Excellence Day participants were invited to display their posters and explain findings, while attendees were also encouraged to visit the tables of vendors BISCO Dental, Straumann, Thermo Fisher Scientific, UCLA Environmental Health & Safety, and the UCLA Library. Light bites, camaraderie, and raffle prizes closed the program.

“The future of scientific discovery is alive and well in Westwood,” Dr. Hernandez-Kapila said. “Expanding this annual event to highlight best practices and case studies in UCLA Dentistry clinics, alongside peer-reviewed research, is a winning formula that we intend to replicate for years to follow.”

Research and Clinical Excellence Day 2024 Poster Competition Winners