Dental school celebrates student-led oral health research at 32nd annual event.
By Sarah Smykowski
Published March 10, 2026
The UB School of Dental Medicine celebrated innovation in oral health research at the 2026 Student Research Day, held March 4 in UB’s Center for the Arts. Ninety-four students presented posters on oral health topics ranging from obesity-associated periodontal disease to plastic aligners and microplastics.
Student Research Day celebrates the school’s tradition of research excellence, where students of all academic levels – undergraduates to dental students to postdoctoral fellows – produce research that enhances our understanding of oral health and dentistry.
“This annual event provides us with an opportunity to think critically about challenges we face in the lab or clinic,” remarked Marcelo Araujo, DDS, MS, PhD, dean of the School of Dental Medicine. “I am constantly impressed by our students’ excitement to tackle big ideas and the unique perspectives they bring to their research.”
Dr. Nisha D’Silva, Donald Kerr Endowed Collegiate Professor of Oral Pathology at the University of Michigan School of Dentistry, Professor of Pathology at the Medical School, and Rogel Scholar at the Rogel Cancer Center, provided the keynote address. Her lecture, titled “HPV+ Oropharyngeal Cancer: Understanding Progression,” focused on the biological mechanisms underlying the spread of HPV-positive oropharyngeal cancer and their clinical relevance.
The event was a success thanks to the efforts and leadership of Keith Kirkwood, DDS, PhD, senior associate dean for research, Imon Candelaria, PhD, senior program coordinator, and the many volunteers who made the day possible.
Congratulations to all the winners!
UB Undergraduate Students
Undergraduate Poster – Student Affairs Award: Kandokar Ifaz Ahmed
Dental Students
AADOCR/Dentsply Sirona Student Competition for Advancing Dental Research and Its Application (SCADA)*: Gina Nguyen
Hinman Student Research Symposium Award*: Rebecca DeBellis
James English Award for Predoctoral Students: Alexander Michaels
UB School of Dental Medicine, Department of Oral Biology Award: Dorothy Yang
Maryanne Mather Clinical Research Award (Predoc)*: Julianna Castle
Frank A. Scannapieco Oral Biology Research Award: Samuel Zyla
Master’s Students
James English Award for Advanced Education and/or MS Students: Yasmin Mohamed
Doctoral Students
James English Award for PhD Students: Dayron Leyva Rodriguez
Ernest J. Hausmann Oral Biology PhD Research Award: Md Hasanuzzaman
Clinical Residents
Russell J. Nisengard Advanced Programs Research Award: Dam Soh
Maryanne Mather Clinical Research Award*: Omar Glover
Clinical Fellows, Volunteer Scholars, and Postdoctoral Fellows
UB School of Dental Medicine Award (Postdoc): Leticia Rojas
Paul Ziarnowski Award for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Research: Elizabeth Gu
AADOCR Student Research Day Award*: Sebastian Antonio Pardo
*indicates travel award