Research labs at the University of Louisville School of Dentistry have been buzzing with activity this year, with multiple grant-funded student and faculty research projects. Those researchers will have the opportunity to share their work at two events this fall.

First up is the American Association for Dental, Oral and Craniofacial Research (AADOCR) Kentucky Section Fall Symposium on Wednesday, October 20, 2021. This year’s event is scheduled to take place at Spindletop Hall in Lexington, and there is also an option for attendees to participate virtually. Organizers hope to make it an annual event, with hosting duties alternating between the University of Louisville and the University of Kentucky.

Dr. David Scott, Associate Dean for Research and Enterprise for ULSD and Professor in the department of Oral Immunology & Infectious Diseases, says the AADOCR symposium is an opportunity to “build research bridges between the two leading dental research institutes in Kentucky.” He hopes to see a lot of dental students at the event, and he thinks they will get a lot of value from attending: “Students will meet dental researchers from across the Commonwealth, learn of their latest projects, interact with peers and be introduced to the world of academia.”

The incumbent AADR President, Jacques Nor, will be the keynote speaker and will present the latest updates on the use of stem cells in oral cancer. Speakers from ULSD include Gill Diamond, PhD, who will discuss COVID-19 and the oral cavity, and Gustavo Machado Santaella, DDS, MS, PhD, who will speak on recent advances in dental digital imaging.

More information and registration is at dentistry.uky.edu/aadocrky2021.

The following week is Research!Louisville, which will take place October 25-29 at various locations on the UofL Health Sciences Center campus. This annual event celebrates health-related research across the University of Louisville.

Since its inception, R!L has provided an opportunity for ULSD students – including Masters of Science in Oral Biology students and Summer Research Program participants – to present their research findings and compete for awards in basic sciences and clinical sciences. Dr. Scott says participants also benefit from being around others who value the process of discovery. “To facilitate continuing cross-fertilization, it is critical that students and faculty gather once a year to present their latest projects and ideas,” he says.

After shifting to a virtual format last year, the goal is for R!L 2021 to be primarily in-person, contingent upon CDC guidelines.

More information is available at https://researchlouisville.org.

August 31, 2021