Center of Excellence in Oral
and Craniofacial Biology Student
Research
LSUHSC School of Dentistry (LSUSD) provides students
with an opportunity to conduct independent
research in biomedical or clinical
fields as they relate to oral health. Research
topics include composite and restorative
materials, inflammation and infectious disease,
periodontal disease and
regeneration, craniofacial wound healing and
implants, regulation of pain, and oral effects of
systemic diseases. Research provides an added
dimension to the dental curriculum and allows
students to contribute to the field by conducting
their own research and by submitting findings for
publication. The experience enhances clinical
performance by integrating the biomedical and
clinical fields, and benefits students interested
in pursing academic, research or post-graduate
opportunities. The Student Research Coordinator is
Dr. Thomas Lallier,
tlalli@lsuhsc.edu .
Research opportunities currently begin the
summer between the first and second year of
classes. During this summer period, students work
part-time in the laboratory to gain research
experience in the fields of biomaterials or oral
biology and are paid a stipend
for their efforts. Students with a deeper interest
in research are encouraged to continue their
studies past the summer and enroll in the Honors
in Research program.
Additionally, there are postgraduate research
opportunities within the specialty programs at
the school. For more information regarding
post-graduate research opportunities, please
contact Dr. Z. Tom Wen, zwen@lsuhsc.edu,
who serves as the Resident Research Coordinator.
All research at the school, both undergraduate
and graduate, is supported by the Center of
Excellence in Oral and Craniofacial Biology. In
addition to the funding each faculty member may
have individually, the Center provides funding for
research efforts and provides both equipment and
assistance with statistical analysis to
researchers at the school. The Center also helps
support both the local AADR-New Orleans Chapter
and the local student AADR chapter. Both venues
provide students with a forum to discuss current
findings and trends within research.
Honors in Research Program
Students who wish to conduct research during
their tenure at LSUSD may enroll in the Honors in
Research program. This program, which requires
students to complete 150 hours of research prior
to graduation, awards participating students by
denoting the achievement of Honors on their
diploma. Students enrolled within the program are
encouraged to attend national meetings (either
discipline specific or the annual meeting of the
American Association for Dental Research) and
publish their findings in a peer-reviewed
journal. The director of the Honors Program is Dr.
Paul L. Fidel Jr,
pfidel@lsuhsc.edu.
Travel Opportunities
In addition to conducting independent research
studies, students are encouraged to present their
research findings at national meetings. Since
2001, students have attended meetings held by the
American Association of Dental Research (AADR),
the International Association of Dental Research
(IADR) and meetings specializing in their area of
study in locations such as Honolulu, Miami, San
Diego and Chicago. Students are required to
present abstracts that may then be selected for
either an oral or poster presentation at the
meeting. Students presenting at the annual
meeting enter into a competition at LSUSD, where
faculty judges rate the reserach presentations.
The top three finishers attend other national
student meetings over the course of the following
year.
Research Day
LSUSD Research Day occurs annually in May or
June.
It serves as a venue for faculty, students and
residents to interact and to present the research. There are oral
presentations by faculty, senior residents and
clinical/basic sciences students. Additionally, any students who
attended meetings that year are encouraged to
present their posters. Resident presentations are judged by a
panel of faculty and awards are given to the
outstanding postgraduate
research projects.
 |
Student winners of the 2018 research poster competition, (l-r)
Jacob Ellender, Gage Ritter, Brandon
Breard and Daniel Gonzales |
Student Research Funding
Though the research mentors do support the cost
incurred in conducting research, students may
apply to receive funding of up to $1,500 to defray
some of the costs incurred. To apply for the
awards, they are required to submit a formal
written proposal; a panel of faculty members
reviews these proposals and makes recommendations
for awards.
Download guidelines
and a template
outlining the format required for research
proposals. Student proposals should then be submitted
to Dr. Z. Tom Wen, zwen@lsuhsc.edu.
Faculty proposals should be submitted to Dr. Paul
Fidel,
pfidel@lsuhsc.edu .
Contact Information
Students wishing to conduct research may
contact Dr. Thomas Lallier,
talli@lsuhsc.edu
who currently serves as the Coordinator of Student
Research. Dr. Lallier can advise interested
students on research opportunities within the
school and can provide information on faculty
mentors, their research, and what projects are
best suited for individual interests. |