Sudarat Kiat-amnuay, D.D.S. assistant professor in the Department of Restorative Dentistry and Biomaterials at the UT Dental Branch fits a patient for his prosthetic ear. Photo by Brian Schnupp
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Sudarat Kiat-amnuay,
D.D.S., M.S., assistant professor in the Department
of Restorative Dentistry and Biomaterials at the UT
Dental Branch, received a Young Investigators Award
from the UT Research Council on Sept. 7 for her exemplary
research on chlorinated polyethylene elastomer (CPE)
in the use of extraoral facial prostheses.
Kiat-amnuay's research, which has changed the lives
of her patients, is looking into the growing possibility
that CPE can be used for facial prostheses as an alternative
material that is more durable, aesthetically appealing
and economical than silicone rubber, which has been
used for more than 40 years.
Her research mentor at the University of Louisville,
Lawrence Gettleman, D.M.D., M.S.D., and his colleagues
began this research in the CPE material in the 1970s
and ‘80s in New Orleans at Gulf South Research
Institute. Kiat-amnuay later contacted him and asked
if he would be interested in helping her develop a
clinical trial.
They wrote a proposal and were awarded $2.9 million
by the dental institute at the National Institutes
of Health to develop the trial.
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"I am so honored to be nominated by Dean Catherine
Flaitz and selected by the UT Research Council as the Dental
Branch’s honoree at the UT Health Science Center’s
Young Investigators Luncheon,” Kiat-amnuay said. “I
thank the Dean for her support. I owe my success to my family,
my mentors, and my patients."
Attention deans, directors and department chairs: Annual
performance evaluations must be completed by the end of
October for all employees. Submitting performance evaluations
keeps your department or area in compliance with an important
policy of the Dental Branch and the UT Health Science Center
at Houston.
There are detailed steps to take when completing this process.
Please refer to the email sent by Lynnette Lewis, director
of Dental Branch Administration, on Sept. 8. If you have
any questions contact Lewis at 713-500-4026.
One million people have been displaced and more than one
thousand have been killed from the conflict in Lebanon -
you can help.
Donate toys, clothes, diapers, food or medicine to the
effort by delivering these items to the drop-boxes in the
basement of the Dental Branch, across from the bookstore.
Every donation helps.
For more information visit http://www.aama-houston.com/Lebanon%20Humanitarian%20Relief%20Links2.htm.
Baber is pictured here in the Clinical Simulation
and Learning Center on the first floor. He can be reached
at Randolph.H.Baber@uth.tmc.edu
or 713-500-4216. |
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DB People highlights a student,
resident, employee or member of the faculty each week.
Their profile will showcase how they are advancing
oral health education, research or patient care.
Randy Baber has always had
an interest in electronics and robotics. But the day
his wife bought him his first IBM PC, he was hooked
on computer technology. That was nine years ago. Today,
computers are how Baber makes his living.
Baber serves as Manager
of the Learning Resources Center at the Dental Branch.
In this position, he is responsible for ensuring that
the computers and electronic devices in the center
are functional for dental students to use. Students
use these resources to complete the course work in
their classes.
In addition, he is instrumental
in the computer technology present in the library
and the new Clinical Simulation and Learning Center.
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“I enjoy what I do because
I am helping people,” Baber said. “Students
use the Learning Resources Center and library to complete
important course work in their classes. And the new Simulation
Center is also a true asset to their learning. The equipment
in these areas must be functional to benefit the students
and faculty.”
Baber and his wife, Erika,
who works in Clinical Services at the Dental Branch, have
a 7-year-old daughter, Kirby Nicole. In addition to robotics
and electronics, Baber also enjoys music in his free time.
“I listen to a wide variety,” he said. “Everything
from Mozartz and Beethoven to Metallica, DMX, George Straight
and 50-Cent.”
Baber enjoys his family and free
time at their home in The Woodlands.
If you know anyone in your
department who would make a good DB People profile, send
the name to dbnewsdesk@uth.tmc.edu.
Terry Lee, D.D.S. and Bret
Ibarra, D.D.S., residents in Pediatric Dentistry,
joined Fouad Salama, B.D.S., chair of Pediatric Dentistry
on Saturday, Sept. 16 during Museum District Day at
The Health Museum. The team provided screenings and
health education to community residents. There were
over 7,300 people who visited The Health Museum that
day. Thank you Drs. Salama, Lee and Ibarra for your
involvement in the community.
Back row, far right is Terry Lee, D.D.S.; second
from right is Bret Ibarra, D.D.S.; (both residents in
the Department of Pediatric Dentistry) and second from
far left is Fouad Salama, B.D.S., chair of the Department
of Pediatric Dentistry. They are shown here with the
Rodriguez family.
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A training course on “Accountability: Leading Above
the Line,” will take place 9-11 a.m., Thursday, Oct.
19, Dental Branch, Room 130. The course will provide employees
with skills that you can apply immediately to your work
to enhance performance and improve results. Register at
http://hr.uth.tmc.edu/Training_Development/calendar_course.html.
Barry Rittman, Ph.D., senior lecturer in Pathology and
Laboratory Medicine at the Medical School, and Gillian Rittman,
research scientist in Diagnostic Sciences, encourage those
at the Dental Branch to join them in the Fall 2006 MS Walk
Sunday, Oct. 22, at Sam Houston Park in
Downtown Houston. This National Multiple Sclerosis Society
event benefits more than 17,000 Texans with MS who are served
by the Society's Lone Star Chapter.
Since their son, John Rittman, was diagnosed with multiple
sclerosis three years ago, the Rittmans have benefited from
the National MS Society's array of resources, including
helpful information, contacts and support groups.
“The MS Society has a partners program where people
with MS can meet and encourage a person that is participating
in a walk or ride for raising funds for the MS Society,”
said Gillian Rittman. “John has enjoyed the personal
interactions provided by those meetings and we believe it
is a very positive experience for both the walker and the
person with MS.”
In 2005, more than 2,500 MS Walkers raised more than $250,000
to support breakthrough MS research and vital MS client
services. With your help, it can be done again!
For information about joining the Oct. 22 MS Walk or becoming
a sponsor, contact: Barry.R.Rittman@uth.tmc.edu,
713-500-4134. Visit www.mswalklonestar.org
for more details.
Good food, loud music and exciting contests - all for you!
Join the 2006 Founders’ Fun Fest 2-6 p.m., Friday,
Oct. 6, Edwin Hornberger Conference Center. Visit http://www.uthouston.edu/community/funfest/
for more information.
The 2007 Dental Branch graduation ceremony is set for 4-6
p.m., Thursday, May 24, 2007, at the Cullen Performance
Hall on the University of Houston central campus. Mark your
calendars.
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