Research Day at the College of Dentistry is an annual event that showcases research conducted by dental and dental hygiene students, graduate students, post-doctoral fellows, and residents.

Recipients of the 2022 Research Day awards include the following:

1st place: William Vu, D4

2nd: Joseph Kainrad, D3

3rd: Parker Heiner, D3

1st place: Natalie Andras, DDS-PhD student

1st place: Shifa Shahid, PhD student

2nd place: Michelle Scott, DDS-PhD student

William Vu, D4

Natalie Andras, DDS-PhD student

Fatma Mohamed, BDS, MS, PhD; Division of Biosciences

Joseph Kainrad, D3

Parker Heiner; D3

Kelly Doan, D4

Authors: Ehsan Azadani, DDS, MS, et al.

Publication: "The association between traumatic dental and brain injuries in American children;" Dental Traumatology. 2021;37:114–122

Authors: Chiranjit Mukherjee, MS, et al.

Publication: "Acquisition of oral microbiota is driven by environment, not host genetics;" Microbiome. 2021; 9:54

Authors: Daniel B. Claman, DDS, et al.

Publication: "Accuracy of parental self-report of medical history in a dental setting: integrated electronic health record and nonintegrated dental record;" Pediatric Dentistry 2021;43(3):230-6

A native of Ottoville, Ohio, and a D1 student in the College of Dentistry, Mr. Brendan Siefker was recently selected as this year's recipient of the Richard C. Veler, DDS, and Betty G. Veler Dental Scholarship. Chosen for his outstanding academic merit, demonstrated interest in professional service, and exceptional character, Mr. Siefker will receive an annual, renewable award of $50,000 for in-state tuition throughout his time in the DDS program.

Dean Carroll Ann Trotman congratulated Mr. Siefker, saying, "There are many talented and hard-working students in our college, and it is challenging for the Veler Scholarship committee to select just one student each year who will benefit from the Velers' generosity. Mr. Siefker has joined the group of Veler scholars who demonstrated extraordinary commitment in their efforts to succeed as dental students. I offer my most sincere congratulations to him for receiving this scholarship that recognizes his outstanding attributes and supports his dental education."

Mr. Steven Harrington joined the college as a Human Resources Consultant on February 14. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in human resources management from Western Governors University. He is also a Certified Professional by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM-CP).

Prior to joining the college, Mr. Harrington served as a Human Resources Business Partner with Giant Eagle, Incorporated. In that role, he recruited and worked to retain staff members; led onboarding and staff recognition plans; conducted human resources audits; and administered and provided guidance regarding human resources policies.

Question: Where is your hometown?

Answer: I’m a lifelong Buckeye. I was born and raised in northwest Ohio, near the town of Westminster. I graduated from a small school, Allen East High School.

Q: What made you choose Ohio State for your dental education?

A: My undergraduate degree is from Capital University in Columbus. When Ohio State’s College of Dentistry sent admissions counselors to visit Capital and talk with those of us who were pre-medical and pre-dental students, I learned enough about the college to be sure that was where I wanted to go.

Q: Which year did you graduate from the College of Dentistry?

A: I’m a graduate of the Class of 2006.

Q: Where is your hometown?

A:I’m a lifelong Buckeye. I was born and raised in northwest Ohio, near the town of Westminster. I graduated from a small school, Allen East High School.

Q: What was the best thing about your dental education?

A: I really enjoyed being surrounded by a lot of other dental students who cared about learning. And there were many great instructors who gave us the basic tools we needed to succeed in this profession. For me, one of the most exciting aspects was when Dr. Deborah Mendel, a faculty member in the Division of Restorative and Prosthetic Dentistry, chose me as one of two team dentists to work with Ohio State’s athletics department. I had the opportunity to meet a lot of great people in athletics, and I was part of the dental team that was responsible for making the custom mouth guards for all of Ohio State’s student athletes, in addition to supporting their dental care.

Q: What was the most challenging aspect of being a dental student?

A: It may seem like a small thing in comparison with classes and clinic work, but the most challenging aspect of dental school was finding patients for the board exam.

Q: What do you find most rewarding about your dental practice in Newark, Ohio?

A: The relationships I’ve developed over the years with my patients have been tremendously rewarding, and they have greatly affected me as a person and as a dentist. I also love the fact that our dental team has had a positive impact on so many patients by making their lives better and helping them to live longer, while also helping to make our local community healthier and stronger.

Q: Why did you decide to become a member of the Dental Alumni Society (DAS)?

A: I joined the DAS so I could continue to support Ohio State, our college, and the dental profession. I wanted to do my part and give back to my alma mater.

Q: In your role as president of the DAS, what are your most important goals?

A: As president, my main goal is to put together great events that will increase collaboration among our alumni and challenge my colleagues to get involved. I also hope to increase the number of dental alumni who become “lifetime members” of the DAS. I should add that dentistry is an exciting and rewarding profession, but it has many challenges we’re not all equipped to tackle alone. As members of the Dental Alumni Society, we can get together, support each other, and help find solutions for problems. We’ve been working hard to plan several in-person events for alumni this year, and we want to eventually develop a broader reach that extends outside Columbus, since we have graduates all over the country.

Q: What are the benefits for those who join the DAS?

A: The Dental Alumni Society currently supports many programs within the dental school, as well as alumni events throughout the year. Lifetime members receive special privileges, such as early registration for our exclusive events and discounted fees. Members also have access to football tickets and homecoming tailgates at Ohio State. We have several efforts in motion to enhance and continue to grow the DAS members’ benefits.

Q: How can others learn more about the DAS or sign up as members?

A: Dental alumni can become lifetime members by going online at www.osudas.com or they can scan this QR code with their smartphone and get more information. We have a great continuing education event coming up that will be held in conjunction with the PGA Memorial Tournament on Saturday, June 4th. We expect it to sell out fast, but lifetime members will have early access. If you or any of your colleagues aren’t DAS members yet, please join us!

You are cordially invited to the College of Dentistry's "in-person" reception for alumni and friends at the Thomas P. Hinman Dental Meeting and Exhibition in Atlanta on Friday, March 18.

We hope you will join Dean Carroll Ann Trotman and other dentistry alumni for this Buckeye gathering that will feature the dean's welcome remarks and college news. We look forward to seeing you there!

Date: Friday, March 18, 2022

Time: 5:30 - 7:00 p.m. 

Location: Omni Atlanta Hotel at CNN Center; Room International C;100 CNN Center NW; Atlanta, Georgia 30303

RSVP requested: To RSVP, please send an email to Ted Backus by March 11