Awards, Endodontics, Students

Endodontic Residents Receive American Association of Endodontic Foundation Research Grants

Two UNC School of Dentistry endodontic residents were recently awarded research grants from the American Association of Endodontics (AAE) Foundation to support their master’s thesis research.

Dr. Hsin Chen, M.S. Candidate 2014, was awarded $11,935 for her proposal titled “Evaluation of a New Biomimetric Cement (Gemosil) for Use in Endodontic pulp Therapy as Compared to the Widely-Used Mineral Trioxide Aggregate (MTA).” Dr. Ching-Chang Ko, professor in the Department of Orthodontics, serves as Chen’s mentor.

Dr. Johnah Galicia, M.S. Candidate 2014, received $17,467 for his proposal titled “Genome-wide gene expression profile of inflamed dental pulp in humans: implications in clinical diagnosis and symptoms of pulpitis.” Dr. Asma Khan, assistant professor in the Department of Endodontics, serves as Galicia’s mentor.

“We’re very proud of Drs. Chen and Galicia for their achievements,” said Dr. Eric Rivera, chair of the Department of Endodontics. “The AAE Foundation Research Grants are a distinct honor and we’re pleased that the research they’re conducting is being recognized as significant to endodontics.”

AAE Foundation competitive research grants are awarded twice annually. Each application for a research grant is thoroughly reviewed and evaluated by the AAE Research and Scientific Affairs Committee. According to the AAE Foundation website, over $2.1 million worth of research grants have been awarded through the program. The AAE Foundation, which is the only organization that supports all accredited endodontic programs in the U.S. and Canada, has allocated $1.6 million to invest in endodontic research and education in 2013.