Pediatric Dentistry, Research

Pediatric Dentistry Residents Honored for Research

Two UNC-Chapel Hill School of Dentistry pediatric dentistry residents received prestigious national honors for research achievement at the recent American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry’s (AAPD) Annual Session in Hawaii.

Dr. Ray Tseng received the 2009 Ralph E. McDonald Award, recognizing the Graduate Student Research Award recipient who has presented the most outstanding research project. The honor, which comes with a cash award, follows oral presentations at the AAPD Annual Session and is named for Dr. Ralph E. McDonald, AAPD past president. The Indiana University of Pediatric Dentistry Alumni Association supports the award. The Healthy Smiles, Healthy Children Committee on Scientific Affairs selects the recipient.

Tseng’s research project is  titled “Childhood obesity and leptin: implications for children’s oral health.” His research adviser is Dr. Melinda Beck, a professor in the University’s Department of Nutrition.

Dr. Jossein Shahangian was named a 2009-10 3M ESPE Preventative Pediatric Dentistry Postdoctoral Research Fellow. The yearlong fellowship includes a stipend supplement, research support and a travel grant to present research findings at the 2010 AAPD Annual Session. The national fellowship, established in 1999, is sponsored by 3M ESPE and Healthy Smiles, Healthy Children, which is the AAPD’s foundation.

Shahangian’s research project is titled “Dentinogenesis Imperfecta: relationship of genotype with clinical and radiographic features.” His research adviser is Dr. J. Timothy Wright, Dr. James W. Bawden distinguished professor and chairman in the Department of Pediatric Dentistry.