ECU dental school tradition shines light on student research, scholarship
The East Carolina University School of Dental Medicine held its eighth annual Celebration of Research and Scholarship (CORAS) on Feb. 8, hosting 45 research posters and a keynote speaker from the University of Buffalo School of Dental Medicine.
The event gave dental students, as well as undergraduate and post-graduate students from other ECU programs, an opportunity to discuss their research and celebrate the school’s commitment to high quality research. The school’s two summer research scholars presented their posters among their peers as well.
Students, residents, faculty and staff shared research projects with the community during the eighth annual Celebration of Research and Scholarship on Feb. 8. (Contributed photos)
“The role of research in improving oral health is essential if we’re going to make progress and create new knowledge,” said ECU School of Medicine Dean Greg Chadwick, as he welcomed guests to the event. “This means having faculty that are involved in research, engaged in scholarly work and committed to inspiring curious students and residents, enabling them and encouraging them to develop a passion for discovery.”
The variety of posters at the event showed a depth of research that points to potential improvements in oral health and overall health.
“I’m very, very impressed at the work that’s done by the students, staff and faculty here at ECU,” said Mary Farwell, assistant vice chancellor for research development at ECU. “You make the reach across the university with lots of collaboration, and that’s what I think ECU prides itself on, not having siloes and putting together teams that may not have thought about working together … but come up with some really interesting research.”
David Paquette, the dental school’s interim associate dean for research, said the quality of this year’s posters speaks to the vibrant growth of the school’s research programs.
“The Office of Research staff and I are thrilled with this year’s abstract submissions,” he said. “I want to acknowledge all of our student, resident and faculty poster presenters and also the mentors of these individuals.”
First-year dental student Hunter Jolicoeur, one of the school’s 2022 Summer Research Scholars, shares his research with another student during the school’s annual Celebration of Research and Scholarship.
Patricia I. Diaz, professor of empire innovation and director of the University of Buffalo Microbiome Center at the UB School of Dental Medicine, presented a keynote address, “The Oral Microbiome and Relationship to Human Health.” Diaz is an expert in the emerging field of ecology of oral microbiome communities and microbiome-host interactions in health and disease. She has led pioneering studies to identify ecological drivers and pathological consequences of imbalances in the oral microbiome.
ECU undergraduate student and aspiring dentist Sarah Gillespie presented research on dental adhesives during CORAS, enthusiastically sharing her findings on potential improvements in materials used in dental procedures.
“We are testing different dental adhesives,” she said, “and we are adding a compound to it that will fight bacteria that is left after you’ve had a cavity filled or any other procedure.”
Gillespie said participating in CORAS was a chance to gain exposure to the research realm and get her foot in the door for future endeavors.
“It’s really great to be able to share something I’m passionate about,” she said. “We’re really just trying to improve the oral health field in general and being here is great exposure for our research.”
Chadwick said the CORAS event is an annual opportunity to showcase scholarship and research across the dental school and the university — work that will ultimately benefit patients.
“It’s important that we pause on occasions like this, as we do every year to reflect on the opportunity we have as educators in an academic community to improve oral health and overall health,” he said, “and to think about where we collectively are and how we can address the challenges that face the future.”