ECU dental school holds Celebration of Research and Scholarship

The ECU School of Dental Medicine showcased its vibrant research enterprise on Wednesday, Feb. 10, during the school’s sixth annual Celebration of Research and Scholarship (CORAS).

Close to 200 participants tuned in for the virtual event that included 45 research poster presentations during breakout sessions throughout the morning. A keynote address was delivered by Dr. Paulo Coelho, the Leonard I. Linkow Professor of Implant Dentistry in Department of Biomaterials at New York University College of Dentistry.

As the event kicked off, School of Dental Medicine Dean Dr. Greg Chadwick marked the event as a reflection of the school’s commitment to research that can ultimately improve patient care.

Research across disciplines in the ECU School of Dental Medicine leads to evidence based patient treatments and solutions. (Contributed photo)

Dr. David Paquette, the school’s interim associate dean for research, assistant dean for academic success and professor and chair of the Department of Surgical Sciences, said many in the School of Dental Medicine community were drawn to the school and ECU because of its mission grounded in research. He added that students need to be exposed to research during their dental school experience.

“It’s critical that they understand the scientific process,” Paquette said, adding that exposure to research will position students to be better suited to “make evidence-based decisions that impact their patients.”

He said the COVID-19 pandemic did not stop the school’s research endeavors.

“Despite the COVID pandemic, our SoDM faculty, students and residents have remained creative and productive in expanding our knowledge base to improve the oral health and well-being of North Carolina and the nation via research and scholarly activities,” Paquette said. “This event also celebrated collaboration and showcased the Biomaterials Research Cluster, an interdisciplinary network of investigators from the SoDM, College of Engineering and Technology, Thomas Harriot College of Arts and Sciences, Brody School of Medicine, College of Allied Health Sciences and other campus units.

To me, the students were the stars of the event for their curiosity, problem-solving and communication of the science. They are the future of the profession and research.”

During six break-out sessions, students, residents and faculty presented posters and outlined their processes and findings.

Third-year student Colby Godwin, a Kenly native, is no newcomer to research. Godwin was one of the school’s Summer Research Scholars in 2018 and presented his research at the 2019 International/American Association for Dental Research (IADR/AADR) meeting in Vancouver. His research focuses on the anti-inflammatory effects of natural plant extracts and their potential use for oral wounds, ulcers and mucositis secondary to cancer therapies.

During CORAS, he presented a poster on how an extract from a native Amazonian plant, Arrabidaea chica, interferes in the inflammation process associated with oral ulcers. Afterward, Godwin reflected on the opportunity to share his research with others.

“I have greatly enjoyed my time exploring research during dental school and I am grateful that the school has allowed me the time and resources to pursue my interests,” he said. “I also enjoy these kinds of meetings, as they provide a platform for everyone to become familiar with each other’s interests and projects. I feel a great sense of pride after seeing the hard work and accomplishments of my peers and university all showcased together.”

Following the breakout sessions, keynote speaker Coelho took a moment to provide context to the significance of the CORAS event and what it represents—a sizable research enterprise and event that signals a dedication to a strong research base in future professionals.

“Obviously something is being done right,” Coelho said, “… how much work is being put toward training students in research.”

Coelho went on to present “Biomaterials and Oral-Craniofacial Applications,” highlighting some of his work in biomaterials and restorative materials. Coelho leads the NYU Craniofacial and Orthopedic Biomaterials Regenerative Applications Laboratory, a highly diverse and multidisciplinary group that focuses on tissue engineering, synthesis/biomechanical aspects of biomaterials and implantable and dental restorative materials.

Coelho’s current work is funded by the National Institutes of Health, the Department of Defense and the dental/medical device private industry. Coelho’s ECU talk was hosted by the ECU Biomaterials Research Cluster, co-directed by Drs. Saulo Geraldeli and Jason Yao.

Following the presentations, students and residents underscored the value of the CORAS event to their futures as dentists and researchers.

“I was a basic sciences researcher at my undergraduate institution before coming to dental school. It was important for me to continue to nurture my love for scientific inquiry as I pursued my DMD,” said third-year student Brittanie Height. “I was excited to attend a dental school that was up and coming in the research arena and valued student researchers’ voices. Since my D1 year, I have been afforded opportunities to increase the breadth of my research experiences via clinical research.”

Height and fellow student Monique Duru presented “Bridging the Gap: Creating a Referral Pipeline between ECU Family Medicine Center and ECU School of Dental Medicine for Patients with Type 2 Diabetes.” The two began the research as part of their experience as N.C. Schweitzer Fellows. The research earned a travel award to the Hinman Research Symposium in October.

Dr. Kristal Tucker, a pediatric dental resident, presented “Knowledge that Athletic Trainers Possess to Effectively Manage Athletic-Related Dental Trauma.”

“I am excited for this research opportunity because it connects two things that I am passionate about: sports and dentistry,” Tucker said. “I believe it is important for athletic trainers to be knowledgeable and/or know where to access information to manage dental-related sports injuries because timing of treatment for dental trauma tends to be the greatest factor when it comes to the success of saving teeth.”

CORAS, the dental school’s premier research celebration, is also a testament, Chadwick said, to ECU’s pledge to improve health care and quality of life in eastern North Carolina and beyond, through research.

“We are fortunate that our School of Dental Medicine is part of an institution that has made a serious commitment to research,” he said, “and has research as an essential part of its mission.”