Molina Wins National Fellowship, Will Present Research Findings in March and May
Dr. Julie Robinson Molina, a second-year graduate resident in the UNC Department of Pediatric Dentistry, has been named a recipient of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry/OMNII Pediatric Dentistry Postdoctoral Fellowship for 2006-07.
This recognition is presented by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) Foundation and OMNII Oral Pharmaceuticals, a division of 3M.
Molina’s research is titled “Traumatic Root Fractures in Children and Adolescents: Diagnostic and Clinical Considerations.” She received a grant award of $7,500 to support her research and supplement her stipend. Molina will present her findings this month at the International Association for Dental Research’s General Session in New Orleans and in May at the AAPD’s Annual Session in San Antonio.
OMNII officials came to the School of Dentistry to present Dr. Julie Molina with the OMNI Pediatric Dentistry Postdoctoral Research Fellowship. Pictured, left to right, on the back row are Dr. Michael Milano, graduate program director for pediatric dentistry; Kevin Thomas, OMNII chief executive officer; and Chuck Jackson, OMMII chief financial officer. Pictured on the front row are Molina and Dr. William F. Vann Jr., her research mentor.
“This is a fitting and well-deserved national honor for Julie Molina,” said Dr. William F. Vann Jr., her research mentor and a professor of pediatric dentistry at UNC. “She has worked persistently and tireless on her research project. Her findings will be immediately relevant and are likely to help re-frame the current guidelines for the diagnosis of root fractures in children and adolescents.”
Molina’s research committee consultants include Dr. Jessica Y. Lee, assistant professor of pediatric dentistry; and Dr. Judy McIntyre and Martin Trope, adjunct faculty members in the Department of Endodontics. Dr. Michael Milano is the graduate program director for pediatric dentistry.
The OMNII Pediatric Dentistry Postdoctoral Research Fellowship Program, created in 1999, supports prospective research by postdoctoral students and residents in pediatric dentistry. Up to three pediatric dentistry postdoctoral students/residents are selected annually to receive a yearlong research fellowship.
In addition to Molina, other 2006-07 OMNII award recipients are Dr. Rupal V. Patel of the University of Southern California and Dr. Stella Tan of the University of California at San Francisco.