Topics at a glance: UTHSC-H RESEARCH DAY Spotlight shines on Dental Branch researchers … Academy of Laser Dentistry interested in UTDB students' research … Bebermeyer chosen for UT System's Leadership Institute … New Faculty Orientation … UTHSC-H enters licensing agreements for new dental products … UTDB color science expert lectures in Spain … Holiday Sale set for Friday in the basement … Orders for Winter Wishes Candy Bags due by Friday

UTHSC-H RESEARCH DAY

Spotlight shines on Dental Branch researchers

Second-year dental student Jun Wu won first place in the student competition in clinical and translational sciences at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston Research Day Nov. 21 at The UT Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine. Wu's presentation was titled, “Analysis of Dental Arch Form by Fitting of Polynomials on User-Selected Points in Three-Dimensional Cone Beam CT Images.”

At the same event, Professor John R. Klein, Ph.D., of the UTDB Department of Diagnostic Sciences, and postdoctoral fellow Jeremy Schaefer, D.D.S., were keynote speakers on “Studies of Chronic Intestinal Inflammation in IL-10-/- Mice, an Animal Model of Human Inflammatory Bowel Disease.” Others from the Dental Branch who presented posters included Urvi Jadav, Sayaka Kondo, Shieva Molavi, Tina Nguyen, Phillip Pan, Stephen Tapp, Christopher Dauterive, Huma Hamid and Connor Kelley.

Jun Wu (right), a second-year-dental student, won a first-place award at UTHSC-H Research Day. He is pictured with his mentor, Associate Professor Chung Kau, B.D.S., Ph.D. Photo by Rhonda Moran.	Professor John R. Klein, Ph.D. (left) and postdoctoral fellow Jeremy Schaefer, D.D.S., were featured speakers at the health science center’s 2008 Research Day. Photo by Rhonda Moran.

Academy of Laser Dentistry interested in UTDB students' research

Third-year dental students Huma Hamid and Stephen Tapp have been invited to present their research at the Academy of Laser Dentistry's conference in Las Vegas.

The Academy of Laser Dentistry (ALD) has invited third-year dental students Stephen Tapp and Huma Hamid to present their dental laser research at ALD 2009, the Academy's 16th Annual Conference and Exhibition April 22-25, 2009 in Las Vegas. The presentation will be judged by members of the ALD's Student Scholarship and University and Academia Relations Committees. Scholarship recipients will be ranked first, second or third with a small cash gift associated with each place. Under mentorship of Assistant Professor Cynthia Trajtenberg, D.D.S., Tapp and Hamid worked together on their project, “Glass Ionomer Bond Strength to Teeth Prepared with an Er:YAG Laser.”

Richard D. Bebermeyer, D.D.S.

Bebermeyer chosen
for UT System's Leadership Institute

Professor Richard D. Bebermeyer, D.D.S., chair of the Department of Restorative Dentistry and Biomaterials, was chosen to participate in The University of Texas System Leadership Institute's inaugural program, Leadership Dimensions I. This program is designed to strengthen leadership capabilities and provide resources and tools for leadership. Bebermeyer traveled to Austin to participate in the first workshop Nov. 19-21, and he will participate in the second phase of the program in March. The workshops offer inductees a chance to learn about the UT System and its impact on leadership in their own institutions. Participants also learn to analyze their own leadership approaches and styles, then work on conflict resolution and mediation, receiving feedback from the group. The next workshop will concentrate on legal and ethical implications of leadership, leading through change, developing leaders, engaging others, coaching and feedback, and other issues.

New Faculty Orientation

New faculty members undergoing orientation include (back row, from left) Joanna Allaire, R.D.H.; Isabel Gay, D.D.S.; Sanford Fenton, D.D.S.; Juliana Barros, D.D.S.; Donald Roberts, D.D.S.; Eva Stanley, D.D.S.; Dan Bentley, D.D.S.; Gargi Mukherji, D.D.S.; and Steven Hackmyer, D.D.S. (front from left) Shalizeh Patel, D.D.S.; Bhavini Acharya, D.D.S.; and Gisela Velasquez, D.D.S. Lisa McGriff-Metz, D.D.S., was unavailable for the picture but participated in orientation. Photo by Brian Schnupp.

Rade D. Paravina, D.D.S., Ph.D.

UTHSC-H enters licensing agreements
for new dental products

The University of Texas Health Science Center has recently executed two licensing agreements with VITA Zahnfabrik of Germany. The contracts deal with commercialization of two products that VITA developed in collaboration with Rade D. Paravina, D.D.S., Ph.D., assistant professor in the Department of Restorative Dentistry and Biomaterials at the UT Dental Branch. A 20-year licensing agreement was signed for VITA Linearguide 3D-Master®, while the second contract is related to VITA Bleachedguide 3D-Master®, the shade guide for visual evaluation of tooth whitening.

UTDB color science expert lectures in Spain

Rade D. Paravina, D.D.S., Ph.D., assistant professor in the Department of Restorative Dentistry and Biomaterials at the UT Dental Branch, recently traveled to Spain to give a seminar in the Department of Optics at the University of Granada School of Sciences, emphasizing teamwork between dentists and professional color scientists. Paravina collaborates with Dr. Maria del Mar Perez (School of Sciences) and Dr. Rosa Pulgar (School of Dentistry ) from the University of Granada on various projects, and they already have two papers accepted for publication in the Journal of Prosthodontics and the American Journal of Dentistry.

Holiday Sale set for Friday in the basement

Don't forget to visit the Dental Branch Employee Relations Committee's Third Annual Holiday Sale from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, Dec. 12 in the basement. ERC President Loraine Alexander said many new vendors will be participating this year, including several selling toys, jewelry, arts and crafts, cosmetics, specialty foods such as jellies, jams and cheese spreads; sweets and barbecue plates. Chair massages also will be available. Proceeds will allow the ERC to pay for parties for Dental Branch employees. For more information, contact Alexander at Ext. 4212.

Orders for Winter Wishes Candy Bags due by Friday

The University Classified Staff Scholarship Committee is taking orders for “Winter Wishes Candy Bags” to be delivered Thursday, Dec. 18 to anyone in The UT Health Science Center. Bags cost $2 each and will be for sale through Friday, Dec. 12. To order, print the form, fill out one for each order and return to your UCSC representative along with payment by Dec. 12. Questions? Contact Trish McFarland at Ext. 4105 or Patricia.McFarland@uth.tmc.edu.