26 March 2026

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UNC Adams School of Dentistry Students Shine at Annual Research Day

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In a field evolving as rapidly as modern dentistry, research is essential. That spirit of discovery was on full display at the 42nd University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Adams School of Dentistry Research Day where students, faculty, and collaborators showcased innovative work poised to shape the future of oral health care.

This year marked a record-breaking milestone, with 84 accepted abstracts, reflecting the growing strength and momentum of the ASOD research community. The scientific program featured poster and oral presentations showcasing the outstanding work of students, residents, faculty, staff, research fellows and collaborators across disciplines.

Planning for ASOD Research Day is always a collaborative effort. This year, Caroline Sawicki, DDS, PhD, served as chair of the event, working with the Research Day Committee to organize the event, coordinate student and faculty participation, oversee the abstract review process, and plan the program, including poster and oral presentations and the keynote lecture. Other members of the committee included Doug Brockett, Adam Lietzan, DMD, MS, PhD, Josh Little, DC, PhD, Alison Morton, DDS Candidate ’27, Poojan Shrestha, BDS, PhD, MSc, Lance Thurlow, PhD, Seth Weinberg, PhD, and Myria Whitmore.

Sawicki believes the event highlights how research conducted at ASOD ultimately benefits patients and communities by advancing knowledge, improving treatments, and informing policies that promote better oral and overall health. Student engagement is a key part of the process because it gives students a platform to present their work, develop their scientific communication skills, and engage with faculty mentors and peers across disciplines.

“For many students, it is an opportunity to share their first research project and become more involved in scholarly inquiry, which helps foster the next generation of clinician-scientists and academic leaders,” Sawicki said.

Thomas Southern, DDS class of 2027, was a first-year participant with his project, “Orthodontist’s Screening, Diagnosis and Management Practices for Pediatric Temporomandibular Disorders” and remembers observing Research Day in his early days at ASOD.

“When I was a first- and second-year student here, I walked around and looked at all of the posters on Research Day. Now I am presenting. Research is important to me because asking questions and getting varied results helps to elevate the field,” he said.

Samir Tusneem and Mohammed Ghareeb are undergraduate seniors interested in pursuing careers in dentistry after graduation. Their project “Dentist-Patient Religious Concordance and Trust Among North Carolina Muslim Patients” explores how cultural differences impact medical care.

“We wanted to get involved because of our interest in the oral health field and because of the disparities that are out there. Patients want to be heard, and we’d like to make a difference in their comfort levels,” Tusneem said.

The day concluded with an impactful address by keynote speaker Andrea Nackley, PhD, Duke University School of Medicine associate professor in the Department of Anesthesiology’s Center for Translational Pain Medicine. Nackley is a leader in her field, participating in pain-relevant workshops and delivering invited lectures around the globe, and shared valuable insight into pain management in oral health care.

“It’s been exciting to see the progression of our Research Day event, as it has grown in scope over the years, with more students and faculty mentors engaging in oral health research and sharing their ideas and insights. Our scientific community is thriving, and I’m excited to see our researchers make strides in innovation and discovery as they pursue projects, studies and clinical trials in their respective areas.” said Dean Janet M. Guthmiller, DDS, PhD.

Source: https://dentistry.unc.edu/