Oral Biology Ph.D. Student Saladyanant Wins Two Awards

Dr. Thatsanee Saladyanant, Ph.D. candidate 2015, recently was named the recipient of two awards in recognition of her work and research.

The first award won by Saladyanant was an International Association of Dental Research (IADR) Colgate Research in Prevention Travel Award. She received this award at the 2014 American Association of Dental Research (AADR) annual meeting, where she was also recognized as a 2014 Hatton Award Finalist. This IADR award provided funding for Saladyanant to travel to the IADR meeting in Capetown, South Africa to present her research, “Periodontal treatment improves immune activation/inflammation in HIV-positive Patients.” Her mentor for the research is Dr. Jennifer Webster-Cyriaque, associate professor in the Departments of Dental Ecology and of Microbiology and Immunology.

Saladyanant also received a UNC CV-Starr Scholarship. The CV-Starr Scholarship provides funding for international summer projects. Saladyanant’s project, “The benefits of dental care treatment in HIV-infected patients,” will be conducted in Malawi under the supervision of Dr. Jessie Mlotha. Mlotha is an adjunct professor at the UNC School of Dentistry and heads the Dental Department at the Kamuzu Central Hospital in Lilongwe, Malawi.

Dr. Ceib Phillips, the interim director of the Curriculum in Oral Biology, commented, “The Oral Biology program is so proud of Dr. Saladyanant’s accomplishments and we’re grateful for the way she represents our program. Our students’ achievements are a reflection of their hard work and diligence, and the excellent mentorship they receive. I wish sincere congratulations to Dr. Saladyanant and Dr. Webster-Cyriaque on their honors.”