The 2016 SJWRI Research Symposium, highlighting the research achievements of the University of Otago's Sir John Walsh Research Institute and Faculty of Dentistry, was held on 1-2 September at the Dunedin Public Art Gallery.
Bigger and better
Now in its tenth year, our Institute's annual celebration of research excellence was moved to a new date and an expanded two-day format, inspired by the success of the IADR ANZ 2015 meeting hosted by the SJWRI this time last year. The new format allowed the introduction of specialised sessions focusing on each of our SJWRI research programmes, meaning more of our staff and students could present their work to peers, fellow researchers from across the University, industry professionals and dental practitioners. The meeting was a success, with over 140 registrants across the two days of the meeting.
Programme and Abstract Book for the 2016 SJWRI Research Symposium (PDF, 616kb)
Programme highlights
The meeting opened with a session on clinical and translational research, chaired by Professor Warwick Duncan (right). Guest speakers included Professor Ian Tucker, Associate Dean (Research Commercialisation) for the University of Otago Division of Health Sciences, and Del Carlini of Dunedin-based biotechnology company Blis Technologies, offering perspectives on the translation and commercialisation of research.
This was followed by concurrent sessions in the areas of epidemiology and public health, and molecular microbiology, before a poster session on Thursday afternoon. Friday began with a keynote presentation from Professor Alison Rich on oral cancer, and a presentation from sponsor representative Janice Pitt of 3M Oral Care. SJWRI collaborators from across campus were featured in the session on craniofacial biology and clinical oral physiology, with Associate Professor Julia Horsfield of the Department of Pathology and Associate Professor George Dias of Anatomy both presenting their research. Concurrent sessions followed on dental education, oral molecular and immunopathology, and biomechanics and oral implantology, before an awards session closed the meeting.
Symposium awards
Awards were presented to the best presenter in each of the seven programme sessions, as well as the best undergraduate, postgraduate and staff poster competition entries. Congratulations to the following award winners:
| Oral presentation awards | |
|---|---|
| Biomechanics and oral implantology | Frances Ruddiman, DClinDent candidate Bacterial colonisation around implants restored with aftermarket or original abutments – how does this affect implant osseointegration? |
| Clinical and translational research | Dr Carolina Loch Santos da Silva, Research Fellow From the laboratory to clinical practice and back: ultrastructure and properties of carious deciduous teeth treated using the Hall Technique |
| Craniofacial biology and clinical oral physiology | Gareth Benic, DClinDent candidate Efficacy of oral probiotics in managing biofilm formation in patients wearing fixed orthodontic appliances |
| Dental education research | Calum Fisher, BDS (Honours) student Development of a social accountability measure for the dental environment |
| Dental epidemiology and public health | Deanna Beckett, Master of Public Health candidate Concordance between the CPQ11-14 ISF:16 and the CHU9D among participants in a clinical trial |
| Molecular microbiology | Gemma Cotton, PhD candidate Silver nanoparticle-based hydrogel for treatment of periodontal disease |
| Oral molecular and immunopathology | Muhammed Yakin, DClinDent candidate Endoplasmic reticulum stress modulates the pathogenesis of oral cancer through STAT3-pathway-dependent immune responses |
| Poster presentation awards | |
| Undergraduate student | David Chew, BDS (Honours) student Tooth preparation with ultrasonic instrments: effects on enamel and dentine surface bonding |
| Postgraduate student | Lisa Falland, PhD candidate Use of agar/glycerol and agar/glycerolwater as a translucent brain simulant for ballistic testing |
| Staff | Dr Li (Peter) Mei, Senior Lecturer Tongue brushing and oral probiotics for the treatment of halitosis |
The 2016 Sir John Walsh Research Institute Awards were also presented as part of the closing session.
The SJWRI Research Symposium 2016 was made possible by the support of 3M Oral Care.
