Ostrow School celebrates Research Day
The Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC honored its student, resident and faculty researchers during its annual Research Day celebration on Feb. 15 at the Galen Center.
It was a record year for research entries for the event – 120 posters were displayed by researchers from all educational levels at the Ostrow School, as well as the Division of Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy and the Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy.
Projects addressed stem cell regeneration, tooth decay prevention, hip fracture rehabilitation, interactive oral hygiene education, oral microbiology, autism therapy and much more.
Randolph Hall, USC vice president of research, said that research is USC’s “purpose for being” and praised the Ostrow School for its commitment to conducting research into human wellness.
“You have an amazing range of talents crossing different disciplines,” Hall said.
In his opening remarks, Ostrow School dean Avishai Sadan reaffirmed the importance of student research and the school’s dedication to providing opportunities and infrastructure for students at all educational levels.
“We remain committed to growing this part of our enterprise,” Sadan said.
Keynote speakers included Louis Terracio, vice dean for research at the New York University College of Dentistry; Markus Blatz, chairman of the Department of Preventive and Restorative Sciences at the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Dental Medicine; and Beth Fisher, associate professor of clinical physical therapy in the USC Division of Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy.
USC student Diana Lyu, who presented a project on 3-D imaging analyses, said the student-centered, self-directed aspects of research benefit a student’s overall education.
“Research is an integral part of education at USC,” Lyu said. “It helps you think with a different perspective.”
Kai-Yu Ho, a biokinesiology and physical therapy student, said 2012 marked her fourth time as a participant in Research Day. Her project examined the use of a novel imaging technique in determining the correlation between water and fat tissue surrounding the knee and a patient’s level of knee pain.
“Research Day is always a great experience,” Ho said. “I’m going to present this same work at a conference, so it’s a good way to get to know what questions people will have.”
In closing remarks, Ostrow School associate dean of research Yang Chai commended participants and emphasized the importance of not only growing Ostrow School research activities but also celebrating the school’s research achievements.
“All of you have demonstrated your passion about doing research,” Chai said.
2012 Research Day Awards
Dean’s Research Award
Alireza Moshaverinia
Faculty Adviser: Winston Chee
Advanced Specialty
First Place: Alireza Moshaverinia
Faculty Adviser: Winston Chee
Second Place: Seena Patel
Faculty Adviser: Anh Le
Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy, Musculoskeletal
First Place: Jo Armour Smith
Faculty Adviser: Kornelia Kulig
Second Place: Shawn Sorenson (Poster #77)
Faculty Adviser: George Salem
Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy, Neural
First Place: Alice Lee
Faculty Adviser: Beth Fisher
Second Place: Sudarshan Dayanidhi
Faculty Adviser: Francisco Valero-Cuevas
Graduate, Postdoctorate
First Place: Carolina Parada
Faculty Adviser: Yang Chai
Second Place: Rodrigo Lacruz
Faculty Adviser: Michael Paine
Graduate, Predoctorate
First Place: Elizabeth Jane McIlvaine
Faculty Adviser: Stephen Yen
Second Place : Chider Chen
Faculty Adviser: Songtao Shi
Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy
First Place: Sook-Lei Liew
Faculty Adviser: Lisa Aziz-Zadeh
Second Place: Leah Stein
Faculty Adviser: Sharon Cermak
DDS Basic Science
First Place: Hamid Barkhordar and Pooyan Nasibi
Faculty Adviser: Yang Chai
Second Place: Michelle Zin
Faculty Adviser: Tina Jaskoll
DDS Clinical Science
First Place: Peter Lee
Faculty Adviser: Anh Le
Second Place: Andrew Kiss
Faculty Adviser: Anh Le
Innovative Scientific Achievement Awards
Yi Liu
Junichi Iwata
USC Stevens Institute for Innovation Most Innovative Award
Alireza Moshaverinia
Certificates of Participation, Dental Hygiene Students
Courtney Mason, Jonathan Galvez, Lalita Paul, Jenny Tsang
