Science Day 2018 Features Student Research and Distinguished Keynote Speaker
On March 15 and 16, 2018, students, residents, fellows, faculty and staff at the Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine (GSDM) gathered for Science Day to showcase and celebrate research. This annual event provides an opportunity for students, residents, and fellows to present their research as a poster or oral presentation.
The keynote speaker for this year’s Science Day was Dr. Martha Somerman DDS, PhD, Director of the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR), National Institutes of Health, who gave a talk entitled “NIDCR: Catalyzing Research & Innovation.” Dr. Somerman has served as Director of NIDCR since August 2011. She also serves as an Adjunct Investigator in the Laboratory of Oral Connective Tissue Biology, where she researches the development, maintenance, and regeneration of dental, oral, and craniofacial tissues. Previously, Dr. Somerman served as Dean of the University of Washington School of Dentistry for nine years. NIDCR is the leading supporter of dental, oral, and craniofacial research in the United States, with an annual budget of over $400 million. NIDCR supports basic, translational, and clinical research, as well as research training and career development programs.
The morning of March 15 opened with a vendor fair and poster viewing in the Hiebert Lounge in the BU School of Medicine Instructional Building. Due to the high level of interest, poster viewings were split into two sessions, facilitated by state-of-the-art electronic posters. The oral presentations were held on Friday morning in L106/L109, followed by a lunch. This year, there were 28 poster presenters and 14 oral presenters, including pre- and postdoctoral students, residents, fellows, and PhD candidates in programs across GSDM.
“We were honored to host Dr. Martha Somerman for this year’s Science Day activities,” said Dean Hutter. “It was a wonderful opportunity to showcase at the highest levels the excellent research being conducted at the School.” Dean Hutter also praised Dr. Maria Kukuruzinska, GSDM Associate Dean for Research, for all she did in organizing another very successful 2018 Science Day. Dr. Kukuruzinska was the first to welcome everyone to Science Day, “Science Day is important events that celebrate our students’ research accomplishments, and show’s Boston University’s commitment to being a leading research institution.”
A panel of faculty judges selected winners in both the poster and oral competitions, with an additional award given jointly by the American Dental Association (ADA) and Dentsply. The award winners were highlighted at the Awards Luncheon on April 4 in the Hiebert Lounge. More information about this year’s winners and the Awards Luncheon is available here.