Dean Jeffrey W. Hutter with Khalid Alamoud and his poster

On March 31, 2015, Khalid Alamoud Ortho 19, DScD 19 was awarded the Goldman School of Dental Medicine Dean’s Award for Student Research at the Graduate Research Symposium, an annual event highlighting research being conducted by Boston University graduate students. Participants in the symposium come from both the Medical Campus and the Charles River Campus. Five Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine (GSDM) students participated in the event which took place in the George Sherman Union. Participants presented posters during one of two poster sessions, which included presentations from over 160 participants.

Alamoud received the award for his poster titled, “Targeting the N-glycosylation regulating gene DPAGT1 for Oral Cancer.” He is conducting his doctoral research in the lab of Associate Dean for Research and Professor in the Department Molecular & Cell Biology Dr. Maria Kukuruzinska.

Dr. Kukuruzinska’s lab is investigating the molecular events that underlie oral cancer development. Oral cancer, which presents primarily as oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), is an aggressive disease with limited available treatment options. The Lab’s research has shown that protein N-glycosylation is regulated by the DPAGT1 gene which functions at the first rate limiting step in the N-glycosylation pathway. Alamoud’s poster discussed how this gene promotes oral cancer cell migration in vitro, and tongue tumor formation and metastasis in vivo, identifying DPAGT1 as a likely and novel candidate target for OSCC therapies. Additional collaborators on this work included Research Technician Mr. Trevor Packer, Research Associate Dr. Jie Hui Li, and Research Assistant Professor in the Department of Molecular & Cell Biology Dr. Manish Bais.

Alamoud was honored to receive the award and is grateful for the support he has received at GSDM. “It is with deepest appreciation that I express my thanks to Dean Hutter for his continued support, Dr. Kukuruzinska for her guidance and expertise, as well as the Graduate Research Symposium,” he said. “It is an honor to be acknowledged by a symposium which highlights research from so many different disciplines across the university.”

The other GSDM student poster presentations at the symposium included:

“Oral Squamous Cancer Cell-Bone Interactions and Resistance to Alendronate (Fosamax) Drug Therapy in 3D-Live Bone-Microenvironment” by Melody Hwang PERIO 17 (MSD); post-doctoral student Zhongyan Wang; Professor and Chair of the Department of Periodontology Dr. Serge Dibart; and Research Associate Professor in the Department of Periodontology Dr. Erdjan Salih.

“Sex-linked Skeletal Phenotype of Lysyl Oxidase Like-1 Mutant Mice” by Eileen Daley ORAL BIO 17 (PhD); Loai Alsofi ORAL BIO 08, ENDO 11 (MSD), ENDO 12; post-doctoral student Elise F. Morgan; Zachary D. Mason ENG 10; Professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center Dr. Jesus F. Acevedo; Professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center Dr. R. Ann Word; Louis C. Gerstenfeld GRS 82; and Professor and Director of Graduate Programs in the Department of Molecular & Cell Biology Dr. Philip Trackman.

“Densitometric Analysis of Protease Enzyme Activities in Whole Saliva” by Daniah AlHarkan ORAL BIO 17 (MSD), PERIO 17; Laboratory Supervisor Ms. Nerline Grand-Pierre, Grace Hannawi DMD 17, Post-doctoral Associate in the Department of Molecular & Cell Biology Na Tian ORAL BIO 14 (PhD), Yi Zhong ORAL BIO 15 (MSD), Research Assistant Professor in the Department of Molecular & Cell Biology Dr. Guoxian Wei, and Associate Professor in the Department of Molecular & Cell Biology Dr. Eva Helmerhorst.

“Not-yet-cultivated Bacteria of in vivo Formed Early Dental Biofilm” by Debora Heller ORAL BIO 16 (PhD), Associate Professor in the Department of Molecular & Cell Biology Dr. Eva Helmerhorst; Adam Gower ENG 12; Associate Professor of Dentistry and Biochemistry at Western University in Canada Dr. Walter Siqueira; Chair of the Department of Microbiology at the Forsyth Research Center Dr. Bruce Paster; and Professor in the Departments of Periodontology and Molecular & Cell Biology and Henry M. Goldman Distinguished Scientist Dr. Frank Oppenheim.

Dean Jeffrey W. Hutter said, “The Graduate Research Symposium is an excellent opportunity to highlight the exceptional research being conducted at GSDM.” He continued, “I would also like to congratulate Khalid on his excellent poster. We are very proud of the great work he is doing.”

Photos are available on Facebook and Flickr.

OKU inductees with Dean Jeffrey W. Hutter, Dr. Stephen Polins, and Ms. Catherine Sarkis

On April 29, 2015, Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine (GSDM) proudly inducted its newest members into the Lambda Mu Chapter of the Omicron Kappa Upsilon National Dental Honor Society (OKU). The induction ceremony was held in the Trustee Ballroom at the Boston University Questrum School of Business and was presided over by Dean Jeffrey W. Hutter, Lambda Mu Chapter President Dr. Stephen Polins, and Lambda Mu Chapter Secretary Ms. Catherine Sarkis.

Dean Hutter delivered the opening remarks of the ceremony by welcoming the family and friends of inductees in attendance, and congratulating the newest OKU members. “You are the best of the best,” he said, “and I know that I speak for the entire faculty, staff, and alumni of the Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine when I say that we feel privileged and deeply gratified that you made the decision to attend our School and while doing so, set a standard of excellence for all of your classmates and future students to emulate.”

Dr. Polins then addressed the inductees before calling them forward. “Each of you is here tonight,” he said, “because of the success you have had so far, and, by virtue of that success, you have validated that you possess the criteria essential for induction into this prestigious National Dental Honor Society.”

He continued, “In addition to scholarship, you have demonstrated exemplary traits of character, and qualities for future professional growth and attainment through act and deed. You are proven examples of what is possible when you are serious about your education and committed to service and achievement.”

Dr. Polins then read a brief biography of each of the inductees and individually called them forward. Dean Hutter and Ms. Sarkis presented them with an OKU stole to be worn over their regalia at Commencement, an OKU key, and a certificate. There were a total of 23 students and 2 faculty members inducted.

Student inductees were: Layth Al Kaissy AS 15, Harpriya Bal DMD 15, Richa Bhatt AS 15, Spencer Burns DMD 15, Jasmine Chopra AS 15, Adrian De Vincenzo DMD 15, Kostantina Giannacopoulos DMD 15, Destinee Ingrao DMD 15, Brahmleen Kaur AS 15, Jeongyun Kim AS 15, Brian Leibtog DMD 15, Linda Linsinbigler DMD 15, Reefat Malhotra AS 15, Keely Matheson DMD 15, Daniel Moynihan DMD 15, Andrew Pham DMD 15, Snehal Pingle AS 15, Sara Saremi DMD 15, Cara Seidel DMD 15, Lyle Smith DMD 15, Diana Torres AS 15, Anne Tran DMD 15, and Na Wei AS 15.

Faculty inductees were: Assistant Professor in the Department of General Dentistry Dr. Louis Brown and Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of General Dentistry Dr. Frederick Hains.

Photos are available on Facebook and Flickr.

(l-r) Dr. Cataldo Leone, Dean Jeffrey W. Hutter, Jose Abrahantes DMD 17, Michael Whitcomb DMD 17, Ms. Amy Nelson, Dr. Joseph Calabrese

The American Dental Association (ADA) Foundation recently selected two Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine (GSDM) students—Jose Abrahantes DMD 17 and Michael Whitcomb DMD 17—to receive Pre-doctoral Dental Student Scholarships.

The ADA Foundation awards 54 education scholarships in 4 categories annually to academically gifted dental students from across the country. To be eligible for consideration, students must attend an accredited dental school full-time and be in the second year of study while maintaining at least a 3.25 grade point average.

Student Affairs Coordinator Ms. Amy Nelson was instrumental in the nomination process of Abrahantes— who received the Underrepresented Minority Dental Student Scholarship—and Whitcomb—who received the Pre-doctoral Dental Student Scholarship. Both awards were for $2,500.

On May 29, 2015, Dean Jeffrey W. Hutter met with Abrahantes and Whitcomb to congratulate them on their awards. Assistant Dean of Students Dr. Joseph Calabrese, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs Dr. Cataldo Leone, and Ms. Nelson were also present at the meeting.

“Congratulations to Jose and Michael on receiving these scholarships,” said Dean Jeffrey W. Hutter. “The ADA Foundation presents these awards to a very small group of very gifted dental students each year so Jose and Michael should be especially honored.”

Dr. Woosung Sohn, and new Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine (GSDM) faculty member, Dr. Astha Singhal, were recently elected to prominent leadership positions within the International Association of Dental Research’s (IADR) Global Oral Health Inequalities Research Network (GOHIRN). Their three-year terms in these roles are effective as of July 2015 and will continue through the 96^th General Session & Exhibition of the IADR which will take place in London, United Kingdom in July 2018.

The mission of IADR Networks is to bring together dental researchers from multiple disciplines in order to study a particular scientific topic or idea. The GOHIRN acts as an organized supportive platform for its members, who share the goal of addressing issues related to oral health inequalities on a global scale. The aims of this network include the stimulation and promotion of research, encouraging interactions within the wider health community as well as fostering interdisciplinary collaborations among different kinds of institutions such as schools, health centers and non-profit organizations interested in global oral health inequalities in research.

Dr. Sohn, who is an Associate Professor in the Department of Health Policy & Health Services Research and Director of the Advanced Specialty Education Program in Dental Public Health, was elected to the position of Regional North American Councilor. Regional Councilors serve as a point of contact in their region through which information about the implementation of the GOHIRN action plan can be channeled. This appointment will involve interaction with relevant regional and local initiatives on health inequalities and updating the GOHIRN website and social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter. Dr. Sohn will also assist in the planning and organization of IADR conferences, including the 2016 AADR/CADR Annual Meeting in Los Angeles, California, and the 2016 IADR/APR General Session in Seoul, Republic of Korea.

Dr. Singhal, Assistant Professor in Department of Health Policy and Health Services Research, was elected to the position of IADR GOHIRN North American Region Assistant Group Program Chair. In this role, will she will be responsible for promoting the activities of GOHIRN and AADR by helping to develop research initiatives on global oral health inequalities. Specifically, she will assist in the coordination and collection of research abstracts for the IADR/AADR conferences in 2016.

“I am thrilled that two of our faculty have been elected to fill these important positions within the GOHIRN,” said Dr. Garcia, Chair of the Department of Health Policy & Health Services Research, “their new appointments are yet another strong example of the national and international recognition that the GSDM has attained for the outstanding research on oral health disparities being conducted here.”

As the Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine (GSDM) continues to implement its Applied Strategic Plan (ASP), ongoing efforts are focused on Goal 8; to recruit, develop, and retain excellent and diverse faculty and staff. “Please join me in congratulating your colleagues on their promotions and outstanding efforts on behalf of GSDM,” said Dean Jeffrey W. Hutter. The Office of the Dean is pleased to announce the following FY16 staff promotions:

Roslyn George: Ms. George has been promoted to Clinical Assistant Supervisor for the 7^th Floor Dental Health Center, where she will continue to report into Emily Regan who is the Practice Manager for the 7^th Floor Dental Health Center. In Roslyn’s new role, she is responsible for the continued development of the Dental Assistants, providing guidance and training with infection control, sterilization protocols, and DPH regulations.

Fabian Lako: Mr. Lako has been promoted to Purchasing & Projects Manager in the Molecular & Cell Biology Department and will continue to report to Dr. David Levin, Chair. In Fabian’s new role he is responsible for all aspects of purchasing and disbursements from NIH research grants, subcontracts, industry-supported grants, and departmental accounts. He will continue to provide administrative support to faculty, staff, and students, for a broad range of needs. Fabian began working at the Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine in 2007.

Nikki Longe: Ms. Longe has been promoted to Associate Registrar from her previous role as Assistant Registrar in the Registrar’s Office.  Ms. Longe began her career at the Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine in January 2013. In her new position, Ms. Longe will continue to report to Ms. Elizabeth Bouhmadouche, Registrar & Director of Enrollment Services, and will continue to manage the daily services/functions of the office as well as the office team. Ms. Longe’s new responsibilities will include managing all systematic and recurring annual reviews of SDM’s academic programs and policies published in the University’s bulletin. Ms. Longe will continue to serve as the main contact for both the School and University regarding curricular, course program description and policy changes ensuring that GSDM’s submissions are in compliance with University regulations.

Kelly Marcinkewich: Ms. Marcinkewich began working at the Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine in 2010 as the Operations Manager, at the Dental Health Center at 930 Commonwealth Avenue.  Kelly has been promoted to Associate Director of the Dental Health Center continuing to report to Dr. Margaret Errante, Director of the Dental Health Center.  Kelly will continue to oversee the administrative and operational activities of the Dental Health Center at Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine.  She is responsible for developing and managing an environment that continuously fosters teamwork and providing excellent customer service, which includes interacting with all staff and faculty employees on various operational matters while assisting with the development and implementation of the annual goals of the Dental Health Center.

Lindsay McHugh: Ms. McHugh began working at the Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine in 2010 as the Events & Meeting Planner.  Lindsay has been promoted to Director of Events and Meeting Planning, and will continue to report to Tim McDonough, Executive Director of Finance and Operations. As the Director, Lindsay is responsible for managing, overseeing, monitoring and tracking school wide events around Alumni weekend, Graduation, Student Orientation, and all other major GSDM events. This includes working directly with the Dean and other Executive level positions at GSDM in the design and support of these events.

Jessica Santos: Ms. Santos began working at the Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine in 2013 as a Patient Coordinator, in the Department of Orthodontics. She has been promoted to Administrative Coordinator in the Office of Clinical Affairs, where she will report to John Reilly, Director of Operations and Clinical Finance. In Jessica’s new role, she is responsible for providing advanced administrative support to the Office of Clinical Affairs, which includes working on special projects, arranging meetings and maintaining appointment schedules, interacting with our patients and taking their concerns, disposing of requests for information and participation in working groups and committees.

James Taillefer: Mr. Taillefer began working at the Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine in 2009 as the Manager of Facilities & Operations, reporting to Andy Burke, Director of Facilities & Operations. James has been promoted to Assistant Director of Facilities & Operations. In his new role he will provide leadership among the dental repair team and supply store staff within the organizational structure; oversee developing, and implementing corrective action and solutions for the daily business operations of the supply store and dental repair team. He will be responsible to develop the Dental Repair Team in acquiring and maintaining skills and knowledge in dental equipment such as sterilization equipment, dental chairs, x-ray heads, along with Digital Dentistry Technology and Equipment including new CEREC equipment to support the digital dentistry aspect of the pre-doctoral and post-doctoral programs.

The following employees have received a recent title change to better reflect the function of their current position:

Milly Koo: Administrative Manager in the Restorative Sciences & Biomaterials Department

Alicia Muzzi: Research Project Coordinator, in the Health Policy & Health Services Research Department

Edlira Kerthi: Senior Clinic Care Coordinator in the Endodontics Department

Amanda Tran: Administrative Coordinator and Lead Budget Analyst in the Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Department

Dr. Woosung Sohn

Dr. Athanasios Zavras

Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine (GSDM) faculty members Dr. Woosung Sohn and Dr. Athanasios Zavras were recently awarded a $2.8 million Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) grant entitled “Transformative, Team-based Dental Care for Vulnerable Children: Integrated Training and Practice” where Dr. Sohn is Program Director / Principal Investigator and Dr. Zavras is Co-Program Director / Co-Principal Investigator. Dr. Sohn is an Associate Professor in the Department of Health Policy & Health Services Research and Director of the Advanced Specialty Education Program in Dental Public Health. Dr. Zavras is a Professor in, and Chair of, the Department of Pediatric Dentistry.

This new grant, which has a proposed budget of approximately  $2.8 million, will allow the two faculty members to put into action the educational framework for a new, integrated, multidisciplinary clinical care model for vulnerable children in which several healthcare professionals across the campus—including those in the Department of Pediatrics, the School of Medicine, the School of Public Health, the School of Social Work, and Sargent College—will participate in patient care and resident training.

Over the course of five years—starting in 2015 and ending in 2020—this program will create and evaluate a transformative, multidisciplinary, team-based pediatric dental care model that will address the needs of underserved children and children with special health care needs. Clinical and didactic curricula will be designed to support the vulnerable populations served and to foster a team-based practice. New educational modules that address oral health disparities and population health, as well as cultural competency, will be developed to integrate into existing pediatric dentistry and dental public health curricula.

The grant will also support training of nine residents in a pediatric dentistry and dental public health combined specialty training program. The first two years of the combined training program will entail patient-care-focused pediatric dentistry training, with a third year of population-focused dental public health training. Besides the nine primary trainees, a total number of about 70 residents (50 PD and 20 DPH) will be educated by the program. The combined training program will be enriched by the unique team-based healthcare delivery model as well as coherent community-based public health experience with continuity to address the inherent weaknesses of current dental specialty training. The primary focus of the combined program will be training of dentists from underrepresented minorities or disadvantaged background.

Access to quality dental care is a struggle for children affected by poverty or disability. The dental workforce is not yet fully equipped to meet these children’s needs, and this new clinical care program will help remedy that. It will prepare dentists not only in an emerging model of care, but also train them to fulfill their primary care responsibility. Additionally, it will work to improve dentist retention in sites that serve underserved, disabled, and vulnerable populations by providing them with knowledge, skills, and competencies needed to handle disparities in oral health and access to dental care.

The ultimate outcome of this program will be:

• A new model to provide oral healthcare to vulnerable individuals, and
• A cadre of well-trained, experienced dental specialists with the potential to become independent leaders in dentistry, who strive to improve access to care and address oral health disparities.

“I am pleased to hear of the recent Health Resources and Services Administration grant awarded to Dr. Sohn and Dr. Zavras to fund their innovative multidisciplinary program,” said Dean Jeffrey W. Hutter. “Dr. Sohn and Dr. Zavras’s program is certainly a welcome contribution to the GSDM community and the profession of dentistry.”

Dr. Paul Farsai

Associate Professor in the Department of General Dentistry Dr. Paul Farsai was recently elected to the Board of Directors for Regency 1 of the American College of Dentists (ACD). Dr. Farsai has served as a Fellow with the ACD since 2006.

The ACD was founded in Boston in 1920 to evaluate the standards of dentistry, encourage graduate study, and to grant Fellowship to those who have done meritorious work. Since its founding, ACD has grown into a multinational organization with more than 7,400 Fellows—active and retired.

Dental professionals must be nominated and then elected to become Fellows. In 2006, Dr. Farsai became a fellow and, in September 2015, Dr. Farsai was elected to the organization’s Board of Directors for Regency 1.

The ACD is split up into eight Regencies. Dr. Farsai is now serving as one of eight Board Members for Regency 1, which includes seven states and the entire Canadian Eastern Seaboard. The Board meets several times a year.

“It is an honor to be elected to the Board of Regency 1 of the American College of Dentists,” said Dr. Farsai. “The ACD has done great work for dentistry, dental ethics and dental literature, and I am excited to take on a larger role and help to ensure its continued success specifically in the area of dental ethics.”

The ACD’s accomplishments include being the first organization to promote what is now called “continuing education,” organizing and incorporating the American Association of Dental Editors, and essentially saving the Journal of Dental Research during the Depression.

The College is currently involved in a wide range of activities, nationally and locally, to accomplish its mission. These efforts include ethics summits, online courses in dental ethics, the Professional Ethics Initiative, an entry level ethics course, online leadership courses, leadership symposia, a multimedia dental history resource, resource materials for dental schools, a variety of award programs, support for efforts to attract women and minorities to dentistry, and more.

“The American College of Dentists is certainly an organization that has added significant value to the profession of dentistry over its long history,” said Dean Jeffrey W. Hutter. “I would like to congratulate Dr. Farsai on his appointment to the organization’s Board of Directors for Regency 1.”

Dr. Farsai will be attending the Regency 1 Board of Directors meeting on October 29, 2015.

Dr. Belinda Borrelli

Dr. Michelle Henshaw

Dr. Raul Garcia

Dr. Brenda Heaton

Three faculty members at Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine (GSDM) were recently awarded two grants from the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR), a branch of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for two projects aimed at eliminating inequities in access to care and improving the oral health of children.

The GSDM Principal Investigators of the two projects are Professor in theDepartment of Health Policy & Health Services Research and Director of Behavioral Science Research, Dr. Belinda Borrelli; Professor in the Department of Health Policy & Health Services Research and Associate Dean for Global & Population Health, Dr. Michelle Henshaw; and Professor and Chair of the Department of Health Policy & Health Services Research and Director of the Northeast Center for Research to Evaluate and Eliminate Dental Disparities (CREEDD), Dr. Raul Garcia.

Dr. Borrelli and Dr. Henshaw’s project is titled: “Integrating Interactive Parent Text Messaging and Oral Health Guidelines into Pediatric Community Health Centers to Reduce Early Childhood Caries.”

Dr. Garcia’s project is titled: “Using Social Networks to Improve Oral Health.” The project’s lead co-investigator is Assistant Professor in the Department of Health Policy & Health Services Research Dr. Brenda Heaton.

The projects were two of just nine projects funded by the NIDCR that are all part of a new consortium with more than $7 million in first year funding that has been established with the goal of reducing disparities in access to, and quality of, oral and dental care in minority and low income children. In March 2015, the National Center for Health Statistics reported that Hispanic/Latino children and black children are about twice as likely as white children to have untreated tooth decay in primary teeth. 

“By establishing this research consortium, NIDCR seeks to lead national efforts in reducing childhood oral health disparities,” said NIDCR Director Martha J. Somerman in a press release. “Among the projects awarded are those that test innovative health promotion and disease prevention strategies and evaluate and refine existing programs and policies.”

Dr. Borrelli and Dr. Henshaw’s project, “Integrating Interactive Parent Text Messaging and Oral Health Guidelines into Pediatric Community Health Centers to Reduce Early Childhood Caries,” is a randomized clinical trial that will measure the effects of a parent-targeted text message intervention on the oral health of children less than six years old visiting Community Health Centers (CHC) for pediatric wellness visits.

The abstract states: “The benefits of text message interventions include the use of anywhere/anytime, low cost, scalability to large populations, ability to tailor message content and intensity, and provision of strategies in real time.”

If the project is successful, Dr. Borrelli and Dr. Henshaw believe the research has strong potential to be an evidence based program that could easily be adopted at low cost and with low provider burden in the 1,128 CHCs in the United States that treat almost 4.5 million high risk children less than six years old.

Dr. Garcia’s project, “Using Social Networks to Improve Oral Health,” seeks to fight the oral health disparities evident in one to five-year-old children who reside in public housing developments (PHD). The project will use Network Science methods, similar to those used in earlier work by CREEDD, to design and implement a network intervention, guided by diffusion of innovations theory.

Dr. Garcia and Dr. Heaton will work together to evaluate their central hypothesis that “controlled dissemination of information targeting changes in health behaviors through social networks will accelerate the uptake of knowledge, support the adoption of positive behavior change, and improve oral health status of caregivers and their young children.”

Similar approaches based in Network Science have been shown to increase sustainability of behavior change over and above that of individualized efforts. However, this is the first application of network science to address oral health problems.

Dean Jeffrey W. Hutter praised the GSDM doctors for their accomplishments.

“I am pleased to hear of the recent National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research grants awarded to Dr. Borrelli, Dr. Henshaw, and Dr. Garcia for their projects that will attempt to lessen inequities in access to care and improve the oral health of minority children,” said Dean Jeffrey W. Hutter. “Both of these innovative projects are wonderful contributions to Global and Population Health.”

Dr. Manish Bais

Three Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine (GSDM) researchers have been awarded $20,000 each in Boston University Clinical and Translational Science Institute (CTSI) pilot funding. The GSDM researchers are Research Associate Professor Dr. Manish Bais, Research Associate Professor Dr. Ann Marie Egloff, and Professor Dr. John C. Samuelson. All three researchers are in GSDM’s Department of Molecular & Cell Biology.

Dr. Ann Marie Egloff

The pilot grant competition, led by the Boston University CTSI and financially supported by GSDM, funds innovative translational research intended to obtain preliminary data for federal funding applications. Many outstanding proposals were submitted, and a panel of faculty members reviewed the proposals to decide which to select for funding.

Dr. John C. Samuelson

Dr. Bais received funding for his project, “Lysine specific demethylase 1 inhibitor for improved personalized oral cancer therapy.” In this project, Dr. Bais will investigate two effects of LSD1 on oral cancer. First, this project will determine if LSD1 sensitizes recurrent oral cancer stem cells to chemotherapy and radiation therapy in patient-derived primary cells. Second, it will evaluate if inhibition of LSD1 sensitizes oral squamous cell tumors to radiation therapy in PDOX mouse models. The results of this research have strong translational potential, and could identify LSD1 as a novel drug sensitive target in FDA approved combination therapies. This is the second year that Dr. Bais has been awarded a CTSI grant.

Dr. Egloff received funding for her project, “Improving upon EGFR targeting for head and neck cancer using relevant models.” This project will investigate the hypothesis that Her2 and ER signaling is vital for HNSCC growth and survival in the presence of the EGFR blockade. By developing and evaluating preclinical models, Dr. Egloff strives to improve assessment of candidate therapies and their potential for translation to the clinic. Dr. Michael Platt and Dr. Scharukh Jalisi, both members of the Department of Otolaryngology, will also be working on this project.

Dr. Samuelson received funding for his project, “Use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers to kill oocysts of Cryptosporidium and Toxoplasma.” The coccidian parasites Cryptosporidium and Toxoplasma are important human pathogens, but in many situations hand washing—the most effective way to prevent infection—is not practical. Dr. Samuelson’s project will investigate whether alcohol-based hand sanitizers, which have been shown to reduce spread of many pathogens in hospitals and other public places, might be effective against these parasites.

“I would like to congratulate the recipients of the CTSI pilot grant awards,” said Dean Jeffrey W. Hutter. “While only three projects could be selected, many outstanding projects were submitted, highlighting the breadth and depth of research excellence at the Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine.”

IADFE fellows at the Induction Ceremony. (From left) Dr. George Freedman, Dr. David Hoexter, Dr. Charilaos Asikis, and Dr. David Lynch

On Monday, November 30, 2015 Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine (GSDM) faculty member Dr. Charilaos Asikis was inducted as a fellow into the International Academy for Dental Facial Esthetics at a ceremony that took place at the Harmonie Club in Manhattan, New York. Dr. Asikis is a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of General Dentistry and Practice Leader in the Pre-doctoral Patient Treatment Center.

There were about 45 other dental professionals from around the world being inducted into the IADFE at the Harmonie Club on Monday, November 30. The ceremony included speeches from members of the IADFE and others.

A keynote address was delivered during the ceremony by Stanley Bergman, CEO of Henry Schein Inc., which is the world’s largest provider of health care products and services to office-based dental, animal health and medical practitioners.

Dr. Asikis said that being a Fellow of the IADFE has many benefits; specifically, Fellows are able take advantage of their ability to network with each other.

“IADFE Fellows are encouraged to develop networking relationships for mutual educational opportunities, effective patient referral, and improved interdisciplinary relationships,” said Dr. Asikis.

The IADFE, which has nearly 1,000 Fellows, is an honorary service organization that seeks to foster interdisciplinary education in the area of facial esthetics. IADFE members come from many associated professions, and all have a desire to create new bridges whereby esthetic patients can be better and more knowledgeably served.

After the induction ceremony on Monday, November 30, a dinner took place, at which Dr. Asikis and the other newly inducted fellows were able to get to know each other as well as the many other members of the IADFE community attending the ceremonies.

“I would like to congratulate Dr. Asikis for his induction into the International Academy for Dental Facial Esthetics,” said Dean Jeffrey W. Hutter. “This is a wonderful accomplishment and one he must feel very proud in achieving.  It is very important to the continued success of GSDM that our faculty members are recognized and honored for their knowledge and expertise.

AACR is a nonprofit dedicated to preventing and curing cancer through research, education, communication, and collaboration.

The American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) selected an article written by members of the Boston University Medical Campus (BUMC) community as one of the AACR Journals Editors’ Picks for 2015. The article, “A YAP/TAZ-Regulated Molecular Signature is Associated with Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma” was published in Molecular Cancer Research in June, 2015.

The paper is the product of a collaboration between investigators at the Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) and the Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine (GSDM) as part of the Etiology and Pathogenesis of Oral Cancer (EPOC) Affinity Research Collaborative (ARC), co-funded by the Evans Center for Interdisciplinary Biomedical Research and GSDM.

The success of this paper is a testament to the “team science” approach embodied by the EPOC ARC, with contributions from multiple departments on campus. The lead author was Dr. Samantha Hiemer, a former PhD student in the Department of Biochemistry at BUSM. Dr. Hiemer completed her research in the laboratory of Dr. Xaralabos Varelas, Assistant Professor in Biochemisty at BUSM and senior author on the paper. Many of the other authors of the article are based in the Department of Molecular and Cell Biology at GSDM: Dr. Maria Kukuruzinska, Associate Dean for Research and Professor of Molecular and Cell Biology; Dr. Manish Bais, Research Associate Professor of Molecular and Cell Biology; Munirah Almershed, GSDM resident; and Trevor Packer, former Research Study Technician. An additional author is Dr. Vicki Noonan, Associate Professor and Director of Clinical Oral Surgery in GSDM’s Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. The remaining authors are based in the Section of Computational Biomedicine in BUMC’s Department of Medicine: Dr. Stefano Monti, Associate Professor; Dr. Liye Zhang, postdoctoral fellow; and Vinay Kartha, PhD candidate.

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is a common form of cancer, and it is increasing in prevalence worldwide.  There are still limited therapeutic strategies available for effective treatment of OSCC, so more understanding of the molecular cues that contribute to OSCC is vital to better treat this disease in the future.

In this paper, the researchers showed that the transcriptional regulators YAP (YAP1) and TAZ (WWTR1) drive protumorigenic signals in OSCC. They determined that nuclear YAP and TAZ activity drives OSCC cell growth and movement in vitro and is required for OSCC tumor growth and metastatis in vivo. Overall, the study defines the regulation role of YAP/TAZ in OSCC and demonstrates the roles of nuclear YAP/TAZ activity in the onset and progression of OSCC.

AACR is a nonprofit dedicated to preventing and curing cancer through research, education, communication, and collaboration. Among other activities, AACR publishes a portfolio of highly ranked peer-reviewed journals on cancer research. AACR’s Editors’ Picks are selected articles from each journal issue that the AACR editors have identified as a “must read.”

Dr. Maria Kukuruzinska, Associate Dean for Research and Professor of Molecular & Cell Biology, said, “I am delighted that this paper has been selected as an AACR Editors’ Pick. It is a tribute to the team science approach of the EPOC ARC. This paper is an important contribution to the field of OSCC research, and I look forward to more discoveries from our ongoing collaborations.”

Dean Hutter remarked, “I would like to extend my congratulation to all the researches at both BUSM and GSDM for the publication of their article in Molecular Cancer Research and for its selection as one of the AACR Journals Editors’ Picks for 2015.”

The QS World University Rankings by Subject was released in April, 2015.

In May, 2015, the British-based company Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) added dentistry to its World University Rankings by Subject, marking the first time that a reputable ranking of world dental schools has been produced. In these first ever rankings, Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine (GSDM) placed eighth of 62 dental schools in the United States and 30th in the world.

The QS World University Rankings by Subject ranks universities around the world in 36 fields. The rankings, which give scores of 0 to 100, are designed to be utilized by prospective students hoping to identify top schools in their chosen field.

GSDM came in eighth in the United States and 30^th in the world with a score of 76.9.

“I am certainly pleased to finally see a ranking created that prospective GSDM students can use to compare our school to the others around the country and the world,” said Dean Jeffrey W. Hutter. “I am also pleased to see that GSDM was ranked eighth in the country and 30^th in the world.”

However, Dean Hutter said GSDM must continue to work hard to climb higher in the rankings each year.

“We must continue to probe deeper into the methodology used by QS in determining its rankings,” said Dean Hutter. “As we bring excellence to all of our programs, we must improve upon our ranking both nationally and internationally.”

To create the final 0-100 score, QS averages a 0-100 score for three categories: academic reputation, employer reputation, and research citations per paper.

The academic reputation number is determined by an annual survey of academics in which the academics are asked to list up to 10 domestic and 30 international institutions which they consider excellent for research in the given area. GSDM scored a 56.6 out of 100 in this category.

The employer reputation number is determined by an annual survey of prospective employers in which the employers are asked to identify up to 10 domestic and 30 international institutions they consider excellent for the recruitment of graduates. GSDM scored a 60.4 out of 100 in this category.

Finally, the research citations per paper number is determined by using data from Scopus. GSDM scored a 93.1 out of 100 in this category.

The full methodology of the QS Rankings by Subject can be found here.

The 2016 QS World University Rankings by Subject will be released sometime in the spring/summer of 2016.

The AADR has more than 3,700 members in the United States.

Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine (GDSM) has been named the recipient of the American Association for Dental Research (AADR) National Student Research Group (NSRG) award for the “most new AADR student members in 2015-2016.”

In the 2015-2016 school year, 51 GSDM students joined the NSRG. This is an impressive number that speaks to GSDM’s long-standing commitment to support pre-doctoral student research.

GSDM’s Student Research Group will be recognized at an Awards Ceremony during the upcoming AADR/CADR Annual Meeting on Thursday, March 17. The meeting, which attracts thousands of attendees from across the country, will be held in Los Angeles. A number of GSDM faculty and researchers will be attending, as well as a number of DMD and AS students: Megan Sullivan DMD 18, Richa Wahi AS 16, Saeed Yazdianpour DMD 18, Michael Faibish DMD 18, Jaegak Kim DMD 17, and Ramy Allam AS 16.

GSDM’s Student Research Group was founded in 1992. The group strives to foster a research environment at GSDM where students can integrate and enhance their didactic learning and Applied Professional Experience (APEX) work. Its 2015-2016 officers are Mohamed Bayoumy DMD 16, Michael Whitcomb DMD 17, Jayesh Patel DMD 18, and Thomas Santacroce DMD 18.

“This is outstanding news for GSDM,” said Dean Jeffrey W. Hutter. “This award is a testament to the efforts of Ms. Afaf Hourani, Assistant Director of Predoctoral Research, and Dr. Maria Kukuruzinska, Associate Dean for Research and Director of the Predoctoral Research Program. We are very proud to have such a high level of student involvement in research here at GSDM.”

The EPOC ARC is a multidisciplinary group that meets once a month.

The Etiology and Pathogenesis of Oral Cancer (EPOC) Affinity Research Collaborative (ARC) was recently successful in its application for a third year of funding. The EPOC ARC is co-funded by the Evans Center for Interdisciplinary Biomedical Research and the Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine (GSDM). The group is made up of a number of investigators who work collaboratively on multidisciplinary projects with the overarching goal of deciphering the molecular mechanisms underlying oral cancer development and progression to metastasis, and identifying novel druggable targets for effective and lasting oral cancer therapies.

The ARC is led by Dr. Maria Kukuruzinska, Associate Dean for Research and Professor of Molecular & Cell Biology at GSDM; Dr. Avrum Spira, Director of the Boston University Cancer Center; and Dr. Maria Trojanowska, Professor of Medicine at Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM). ARC members include a number of faculty from GSDM, Boston University School of Public Health, BUSM, and Boston University College of Engineering, as well as from the Forsyth Institute.

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is responsible for the majority of head and neck cancers, with a high death rate and increasing incidence worldwide. The EPOC ARC’s goals are to generate new insights into the key mechanisms behind OSCC and to identify new critical regulators for improved targeted therapies. The specific ARC aims are to determine the mechanisms of OSCC development and progression; identify drivers of remodeling and activation of OSCC tumor stroma; and apply personalized early detection and treatment of oral cancer.

EPOC ARC members meet on a monthly basis to review research progress and discuss how to optimize multidisciplinary collaborations. The ARC has seen many accomplishments during its short existence including developing mouse models for preclinical studies, establishing biospecimen resources, producing numerous collaborative publications and hosting several symposia. The ARC has also provided training opportunities for graduate students and postdocs on both Boston University campuses.

ARCs form part of the Evans Center for Interdisciplinary Biomedical Research. Each ARC consists of a team of investigators from different disciplines focused on a research theme. ARCs provide an opportunity for faculty to form new collaborations, develop current and new institutional research cores, enhance the educational mission of graduate and post-graduate programs, and become affiliated with the Evans Center.

“I am delighted that the EPOC ARC has been funded for a third year” said Dr. Kukuruzinska. “This success is testament to the enthusiastic participation of all of our team members as well as their commitment to our team science approach. I am very grateful to Dean Hutter and the Evans Center for their continued support of our efforts.”

Adela Brodek DMD 18 with Dean Jeffrey W. Hutter and Dr. Joseph Calabrese

On Friday March 25, 2016, Dean Jeffrey W. Hutter and Assistant Dean of Students Dr. Joseph Calabrese met with second-year DMD student Adela Brodek to formally congratulate her on receiving the 2016 American Dental Association (ADA) Foundation Dental Student Scholarship Award.

The ADA Foundation awards 26 education scholarships annually to dental students across the country in the category of outstanding academic achievement. To be eligible for consideration, students must attend an accredited dental school full-time and be in the second year of study while maintaining at least a 3.5 grade point average.

“Congratulations to Adela on receiving this scholarship,” said Dean Jeffrey W. Hutter. “The ADA Foundation presents these awards to an incredibly small group of very gifted dental students each year, so Adela should be especially honored.”

Brodek said she was elated when she received an email stating that she had won the highly prestigious ADA Foundation Dental Student Scholarship Award, which is for $2,500.

“I am extremely humbled to be chosen from such a talented group of applicants,” said Brodek. “It is wonderful to receive this recognition from the ADA and to represent the Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine.”

Brodek says she is enjoying her time at GSDM, and that she is excited about taking the knowledge she has learned from the Simulation Learning Center (SLC) into the clinic in the fall when she begins her third year at the School.

Interestingly, Brodek’s husband, Andrew, is also a DMD 18 student at GSDM. The two interviewed at GSDM on the same day, and—upon receiving acceptance to the School—made the decision to travel about 1,000 miles from their previous home state of Wisconsin and attend dental school in Boston at GSDM.

During her first two years at GSDM, Brodek has become a member of the American Dental Education Association (ADEA) Council of Students, as well as the Health & Wellness Committee of the GSDM chapter of the American Student Dental Association (ASDA).

In her role as a member of the American Dental Education Association (ADEA) Council of Students, Brodek recently traveled to the 2016 ADEA Annual Session in Denver, Colorado, with fellow GSDM student Joanna Song DMD 17. The conference took place from March 12-15, 2016.

“The ADA Foundation awards are very competitive,” said Dr. Calabrese. “Students from dental schools across the country submit application packages and only the top candidates are selected. We are all very proud of Adela’s accomplishments—she is an outstanding representative of the GSDM community.”

Dr. Stephen Polins speaking at the OKU Awards Dinner

The Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine (GSDM) Lambda Mu Chapter of Omicron Kappa Upsilon National Dental Honor Society (OKU) held its ninth annual OKU Awards Dinner induction ceremony on Thursday, May 5, 2016, in at the Metcalf Trustee Ballroom. The induction was presided over by Dr. Stephen Polins, GSDM OKU Chapter President, and Professor in the Department of General Dentistry; and Ms. Catherine Sarkis, GSDM OKU Chapter Secretary, and Assistant Dean for Admissions.

The following DMD 16 and Advanced Standing (AS) DMD 16 students were inducted into OKU: William Andres Alvarez; Christopher Matthew Balaban; Sanaa N. Bhimji; Paul Cho; Arielle Brooke Curtis; Jessica Finkielsztein; Vincent Paul Hohreiter; Harith Fahem Kamil; Mira Youssef Albert Khouzam; Jae Kwak; Sandip Ladani; Neemi Lama Sherpa; Luri Lee; Guanghui Ling; Matthew David Mara; Mary Frances Mcclintock; Siddhi Dhirenbhai Mehta; Aaron Zachary Mertz; Lindsey Anne Nowland; Vincent Joseph Raucci; Casey Jeanne Smauder; and Angela Wu.

Students are selected for this honor based on their academic achievement, demonstration of exemplary traits of character, and potential qualities of future professional growth. Two faculty members—Alexander Bendayan, Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Restorative Sciences & Biomaterials; and Mayumi Onoe-Miyamoto, Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of General Dentistry—were also inducted as  honorary members. Faculty are selected for this honor based on their contributions to the profession.

Dr. Polins began the induction ceremony and delivered remarks to those in attendance.

“Each of you is here tonight because of the success you have demonstrated, and, by virtue of that success, you have validated that you possess the criteria essential for induction into this prestigious National Dental Honor Society,” said Dr. Polins. “In addition to scholarship, you have demonstrated exemplary traits of character, and qualities for future professional growth and attainment through act and deed.”

Dean Jeffrey W. Hutter then delivered his opening remarks.

“Each of you being inducted into OKU this evening is to be commended for your remarkable academic achievement,” said Dean Hutter. “As your Dean, I take personal pride in your accomplishment and I extend to each of the 22 student inductees and the two faculty inductees my heartfelt congratulations.”

In his remarks Dean Hutter also read the preamble of OKU’s constitution.

Dr. Polins, Ms. Sarkis, and Dean Hutter then presented the awards.

The new members of the Lambda Mu Chapter of OKU received certificates and a symbolic key and stole signifying their election to the prestigious national dental honor society.

Photos from the induction ceremony are available on Flickr and Facebook.

DMD 16 student Dr. Andrea Lam receiving the DentaQuest Foundation Award with Dean Jeffrey W. Hutter, Ms. Kathy Lituri, and Ms. Kathy Held.

On Saturday, May 14, 2016, Faculty, staff, and the families of graduating pre-doctoral students at Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine celebrated graduates at GSDM’s annual Senior Awards Brunch, held at the Fuller Building on the Charles River Campus. Dean and Mrs. Jeffrey W. Hutter host the event annually to celebrate graduates and recognize those who have excelled in their dental education.

After a brunch buffet, Assistant Dean of Students Dr. Joe Calabrese delivered an introduction to all the attendees.

Next, Dean Hutter delivered welcoming remarks in which he congratulated all the graduates on what they have achieved and wished them all the best in their future endeavors.

In his remarks Dean Hutter recognized the following DMD students, Advanced Standing (AS) DMD students, and staff members who were instrumental in the production of GSDM’s Class of 2016 yearbook.

DMD 16: Dr. Assal Abdossalehi; Dr. Luri Lee; Dr. Matt Mara; Dr. Alyssa Mazzoli; Dr. Mona Najafi; Dr. Hilary Reiter; and Dr. Hasti Sabbaghan.

AS 16: Dr. Mohammed M. Ahmed; Dr. Ramy Allam; Dr. Rizwan Baig; Dr. Anthony Kofoworola-Kuti; Dr. Alex Okoye; and Dr. Nehar Serry.

Staff Members: Alex Singer, Graphic Designer in the Office of Communication & External Relations; and Leslie Caiola, Development Program Officer in the Office of Development and Alumni Relations, who chaired the Class of 2016 Yearbook Committee

“Class of 2016, you have worked extremely hard during your years at Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine, and during yesterday’s Commencement Convocation, your hard work was rewarded as you received your Boston University Doctor of Dental Medicine degrees at our Convocation ceremony, and took a most important step toward entering your chosen profession of dentistry,” Dean Hutter told the graduates.

Dean Hutter also acknowledged several staff members who planned the 2016 Senior Awards Brunch: Ms. Erica Manczuk, Associate Director of Student Affairs; Ms. Amy Nelson, Student Affairs Coordinator; Ms. Diane Dougherty, Administrative Assistant for Meetings & Events; Ms. Alexandra Singer; Graphic Designer in the Office of Communications & External Relations; Ms. Lindsay McHugh, Director of Meetings and Events.

Dean Hutter expressed special thanks to Ms. McHugh, Ms. Nelson, and Ms. Manczuk.

Students then made their way onto the stage as Dean Hutter, faculty members, and special guests, presented them with their awards.

Award winners:

Omicron Kappa Upsilon Awards: Dr. William Andres Alvarez, Dr. Christopher Michael Balaban, Dr. Sanaa N. Bhimji, Dr. Paul Cho, Dr. Arielle Brooke Curtis, Dr. Vincent Paul Hohreiter, Dr. Jessica Finkielsztein, Dr. Harith Fahem Kamil, Dr. Mira Youssef Albert Khouzam, Dr. Jae Kwak, Dr. Sandip Ladani, Dr. Neemi Lama Sherpa, Dr. Luri Lee, Dr. Guanghui Ling, Dr. Matthew David Mara, Dr. Mary Frances McClintock, Dr. Siddhi Dhrienbhai Mehta, Dr. Aaron Zachary Mertz, Dr. Lindsay Anne Nowland, Dr. Vincent Joseph Raucci, Dr. Casey Jeanne Smauder, Angela Wu

American College of Dentists Award: Dr. Matthew David Mara

Gentle Dental Award for Clinical Excellence and Chairside Manner: Dr. Hilary Samantha Reiter

American Academy of Esthetic Dentistry Award: Dr. Courtney Sanders Knapik

International College of Dentists Award: Dr. Akram Sannaa

American Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology Award: Dr. Casey Jeanne Smauder

Brasseler USA/Department of General Dentistry Division of Removable Prosthodontics Award: Dr. Kayla Marie Cuddy

Brasseler USA/Department of General Dentistry Division of Fixed Prosthodontics Award: Dr. Courtney Sanders Knapik

Department of General Dentistry Excellence in Digital Dentistry Award: Dr. Vincent Joseph Raucci

Department of General Dentistry Implantology Award: Dr. Daniella Christina Rizzo

Hanau Best of the Best Prosthodontic Award: Dr. Olga Spivak

American College of Prosthodontists Award: Dr. Christopher Michael Balaban

Department of General Dentistry Division of Fixed/Removable Prosthodontics Dr. Remo A. Sinibaldi Memorial Award: Dr. Matthew David Mara

American Association of Women Dentists Eleanor Bushee Award: Amanda Wai-Kan Yip

American Association of Endodontists Award: Dr. Vincent Joseph Raucci

American Equilibration Society Award: Dr. Mohamed S. Bayoumy

Department of General Dentistry Excellence in Occlusion Award: Dr. David Simpson Lane

American Association of Public Health Dentistry Award: Dr. Ana Keohane

DentaQuest Foundation Award: Dr. Andrea Lam

International College of Dentists Student Humanitarian Award: Dr. Matthew David Mara

American Academy of Oral Medicine Award: Dr. Mohamed S. Bayoumy

American Association of Orthodontists Award: Dr. Kelsey Ann George

American Academy of Implant Dentistry Award: Dr. Anna Komnatnaya

American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (Dental Implant) Award: Dr. William Andres Alvarez

American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (Dental Student) Award: Dr. Anthony Kofoworola-Kuti

American Dental Society of Anesthesiology Horace Wells Senior Student Award: Dr. Jessica Finkielsztein

Academy of Osseointegration Award: Dr. Li Zhong

International Congress of Oral Implantologists Award: Dr. Amrit Singh Basi

Quintessence Award for Research Achievement: Dr. Richa Wahi

Predoctoral Research Award: Dr. Mohamed S. Bayoumy

Academy of General Dentistry Award: Dr. Lindsay Anne Nowland

Academy of Operative Dentistry Award: Dr. Casey Jeanne Smauder

Department of General Dentistry Division of Operative Dentistry Award: Dr. Mary Frances McClintock

Department of General Dentistry Lloyd B. Chaisson Memorial Award: Dr. Vincent Joseph Raucci

Department of General Dentistry William Cummings Award: Dr. Michael Anton Mayr

Quintessence Award for Clinical Achievement in Restorative Dentistry: Dr. Neemi Lama Sherpa

American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry Award: Dr. Ana Keohane

Department of General Dentistry Didactic Excellence in Dental Practice Management Award: Dr. Andrea Lam

Pierre Fauchard Academy Award: Dr. Jae Kwak

Department of General Dentistry Oral Diagnosis Award: Dr. Nicolas Robert Branshaw

American Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology Award: Dr. Helga Idrizi

Department of General Dentistry Joseph P. Speranza Memorial Award: Dr. Kelsey Ann George

American Association of Oral Biologists Award: Dr. Minh-Phoung Mong Le

American Academy of Periodontology Award: Dr. Jessica Finkielsztein

Northeastern Society of Periodontists Student Award: Dr. Mira Youssef Albert Khouzam

Quintessence Award for Clinical Achievement in Periodontics: Dr. Sandip Ladani

Dr. Thomas Anderson Armstrong Memorial Award: Dr. Mitali Hariawala

Department of General Dentistry Excellence in the Basic Sciences Award: Dr. Vincent Paul Hohreiter

Student Government Certificates of Achievement: Dr. Mohammed Murtuza Ahmed, Reza Alavi, Christopher Michael Balaban, Nicolas Robert Branshaw, Arielle Brooke Curtis, Mira Youssef Albert Khouzam, Jae Kwak, Sandip Ladani, Luri Lee, Matthew David Mara, Akram Sannaa

Proctor and Gamble Outstanding Faculty Award: Basic Sciences: Dr. Monica Pessina

Proctor and Gamble Outstanding Faculty Award: Clinical Sciences: Dr. Heshem Nouh

Staff Recognition Award: Dr. Sylvia C. Ruffin

American Student Dental Association Faculty Award: Dr. John Guarente

American Student Dental Association Advocate Award: Mrs. Michele Calabrese

American Student Dental Association Award of Excellence: Dr. David Simpson Lane

Department of General Dentistry Division of Geriatric Dental Medicine Award of Excellence: Dr. Jennifer Allison Ng, Dr. Michelle Christina Prieto

Department of General Dentistry Steven R. Gordon Memorial Award: Dr. Alyssa Michelle Mazzoli

Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine Richard Forcucci Alumni Award: Dr. Michael Anton Mayr

Alpha Omega Award: Dr. Neemi Lama Sherpa, Dr. Lindsay Anne Nowland

Photos from the Senior Awards Brunch can be found on Facebook and Flickr.

Dr. Pinelopi Pani accepts the award from President of the Hellenic Association of Periodontology.

Dr. Pinelopi Pani, Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of General Dentistry at the Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine (GSDM) is recipient of the 2016 Fotis Mitsis (F.Mitsis) award presented by the Hellenic Society of Periodontology. Dr. Pani travelled to Greece to accept this award in late September of this year.

The F. Mitsis award is a prestigious honorary award given every two years to distinguished young Greek Periodontists. The goal of the award is to support, encourage, and inform the greater public and dental community about the activity of new Periodontists. The award is given during the opening ceremony of every scientific academic year of the Hellenic Society of Periodontology. It is an event attended by distinguished periodontists and other members of the Hellenic Society of Periodontology.

Dr. Pani was selected based on the following criteria; her studies, degrees, and honors received thus far, her current academic position and research activity, as well as her American Board certification in Periodontology. Dr. Pani’s research, titled, “Association of IL-1B gene polymorphism with levels of IL-1β in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) and periodontal pathogens in patients with periodontitis,” was a major contributing factor to her selection.

“I know that I’m only at the beginning, but small achievements like this award provide me with more motivation to continue, to work harder, and to evolve in order to serve the community from my position,” said Dr. Pani.

Dr. Pani joined GSDM on August 20, 2015 as a Periodontist.  She received her DDS from National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (Greece) in 2010, and her Certificate in Periodontology and her Master of Science from Tufts University School of Dental Medicine in 2014 and 2015, respectively.

“Congratulations to Dr. Pani on this tremendous honor,” said Dean Jeffrey W. Hutter, “This is a wonderful accomplishment and one Dr. Pani should feel very proud in achieving.  I have no doubt she will continue to represent GSDM and our Periodontology department and Postdoctoral Program very well.”

The Massachusetts Dental Society (MDS) formally honored Dr. Eric Mandelbaum DMD 88, Clinical Assistant Professor and Group Practice Leader in the Predoctoral Patient Treatment Center in the Department of General Dentistry, for his completion of the MDS Leadership Institute from 2015- 2017, as well as his dedication to the dental profession. He was presented with a plaque by Dean Jeffrey W. Hutter on February 28, 2017.

“I am a product of this institution (GSDM), and it is truly an honor to be here and to play a role in the education of these students. I am truly humbled,” said Dr. Mandelbaum.

The Massachusetts Dental Society Leadership Institute provides the tools and insight needed to improve leadership effectiveness and help dental professionals respond to a rapidly shifting landscape. It is designed for those who want to think strategically about emerging institutional and informational needs, changing expectations, new technologies, and long-range plans. The curriculum deepens insights and broadens the repertoire of useful approaches to leadership. The program also provides a valuable opportunity to assess leadership strengths and weaknesses in a supportive and engaging learning environment. The Leadership Institute coincides with Beacon Hill Day, an annual event where dental professionals come together to learn more about issues of concern to the dental community and to lobby their state legislators to take action on those issues.

Dr. Mandelbaum earned a Doctor of Dental Medicine degree from GSDM in 1988 and subsequently joined the School’s faculty as a Clinical Instructor in the Division of Fixed Prosthodontics in the Department of Prosthodontics, a position he held until 1994. Following many years in private practice, and an academic appointment as Clinical Instructor of Fixed Prosthodontics at Harvard School of Dental Medicine (1992-1996), Dr. Mandelbaum returned to teaching at GSDM in 2014. In 2015, Dr. Mandelbaum was appointed as a Group Practice Leader in the Predoctoral Patient Treatment Center in the Department of General Dentistry.

As a Group Practice Leader in the Predoctoral Patient Treatment Center, Dr. Mandelbaum oversees the progress of students in his group. He meets daily with his students to discuss progress toward graduation and clinical education. Dr. Mandelbaum is also tasked with meeting with patients to resolve any concerns that may arise regarding their dental care.

Dr. Mandelbaum has devoted countless hours of his time to community service most notably through MDS to provide dental care through their mobile care unit to local children and the elderly. He was elected to participate in the MDS Leadership Institute from 2015-2017 which seeks to foster strategic thinking about emerging institutional and informational needs, examine changing industry expectations, explore new technologies, and cultivate long-range career planning. In 2016, Dr. Mandelbaum traveled to Guatemala with GSDM externship students to provide dental screenings and treatment to hundreds of children and adults who lack access to basic oral healthcare.

Dr. Mandelbaum is a member of the American Dental Association, Massachusetts Dental Society, and the West Metropolitan District Dental Society. He is a past member of the Academy of General Dentistry, the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, and the Academy of Comprehensive Esthetics.

“I offer my sincere congratulations to Dr. Mandelbaum for this prestigious honor. His dedication to our students and the profession deserve recognition, and we are all very proud of him,” said Dean Hutter.

On May 15, 2017, Dean Jeffrey W. Hutter presented Lauren Liebman DMD 18 with the Pierre Fauchard Academy’s 2017 Foundation Dental Student Scholarship Award for her leadership and service to Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine (GSDM). Also present for the ceremony were; Associate Dean for Academic Affairs Dr. Cataldo Leone; Assistant Dean of Students Dr. Joseph Calabrese; and Lauren’s parents, Peter and Padmini Liebman.

Every year, the Pierre Fauchard Academy awards the scholarship to a dental student in each dental school who has demonstrated the greatest potential for development into an outstanding leader in the dental profession.

Prior to coming to GSDM, Liebman graduated from Hamilton College with a degree in Neuroscience. This year, she was selected for the Fauchard Award for her record of leadership throughout her time at GSDM. In addition to regularly volunteering for community events, Liebman is an active member of the American Student Dental Association (ASDA). She has served on student government, where she currently serves as Secretary for the Class of 2018. Liebman is also a Teaching Assistant in one of the Preventative Dentistry courses. Liebman completed her 10-week externship at Uphams Corner Health Center in Boston, and hopes to travel abroad as part of GSDM’s International Elective Externship Program in the Spring.

After graduation, Liebman hopes to attend a General Practice Residency (GPR) program in New York City, and eventually begin her career as a General Dentist.

In presenting the award, Dean Hutter recognized Lauren for all she has already accomplished as a student at GSDM and praised her for receiving this very prestigious honor from the Pierre Fauchard Academy Foundation.