The fourth floor of the IU Indianapolis Campus Center transformed into an abundant display of dental knowledge and achievements for Indiana University School of Dentistry's 33rd annual Research Day on April 10, 2025. Following a year with record-high initiatives and accomplishments, there’s no shortage of impactful research conducted within the halls of IU School of Dentistry (IUSD).
“This year is especially historic for several reasons: Indiana University Indianapolis has been designated for the first time ever as an R1, very research-intensive university, according to the Carnegie classification,” said Dean Carol Anne Murdoch-Kinch. “The dental school has played a significant role in this achievement.”
“We have so much to celebrate this year at IUSD. Our faculty research is booming!” said Dr. Tien-Min Gabriel Chu, associate dean for research. “This extraordinary growth spans diverse fields such as dental informatics, oral microbiology, bone biology, aging studies, muscle engineering, practice-based research, and interprofessional care.”
This year’s keynote speaker was Dr. Hyun (Michel) Koo, professor in both schools of dental medicine and engineering at University of Pennsylvania, and his presentation “Exploring Biofilm Microbiomes: Integrating Biology, Engineering, and Dentistry” made quite the impact on the assembly. After delving into the structure, formation, heterogeneity, and risks of oral biofilm microbes, Dr. Koo discussed recent discoveries about the spatial structure of oral biofilms and new antibiofilm strategies made by a multidisciplinary team of dentist-scientists, engineers, and robotics experts.
For the third consecutive year, dental hygiene students from the IU Fort Wayne campus participated in Research Day. "I’m excited to share that 24 of our IUFW dental hygiene students participated in the 33rd annual IUSD Research Day in Indianapolis on April 10th, presenting research posters that reflected their hard work, professionalism, and deep commitment to advancing oral health. Their efforts continue to highlight the strength and excellence of our department and campus community," said Professor Abrielle Lamphere, clinical assistant professor of the IUFW Dental Hygiene program.
The complete list of Research Day award recipients follows below.
Award Recipients | Award Name |
Dr. E. Angeles Martinez Mier | The Stookey Trailblazer Faculty Researcher Award |
Kari Blackley | Research Staff Award |
Kirby Robertson (D1), Andres Mantilla Rodriguez (D2), Sam Caskey and Sanjana Madarapu (D3), Johnna Castedo (D4) | Recognition Award for Outstanding Research Engagement |
Aditi Gadhvi and Johnna Castedo | Research Honors Program Certificate of Achievement |
Aditi Gadhvi | Dean’s Award for Research Excellence |
Johnna Castedo | Cyril S. Carr Dental Research Scholarship Award |
Grace Bush and Delaney Felts | IU Indianapolis Dental Hygiene Research Day Award |
Thais Oehninger | IU Fort Wayne Oral Health Research Award |
Jeana Yeo | Undergraduate Student Research Award |
Naomi Riley | Dentsply Sirona and AADOCR SCADA Award Program |
Kirby Robertson | AADOCR Student Research Day Award |
Jessica Cohn | King Saud University Predoctoral Student Research Award |
Anushri Rajapuri | IDA Student Research Award |
Dustin Broyles | Predoctoral Student Best Clinical Case Report Award |
Caroline Henderzahs | King Saud University Graduate Student Research Award |
Yun Lee | Delta Dental Award for Innovation in Oral Care Research |
Yen Tung Lieu | King Saud University Best Clinical Case Report Award |
Katie Chester | King Saud University PhD Student Research Award |
Drashty Mody | The Stookey Trailblazer Student Researcher Award |
Dafina Doberdoli | The Stookey Preventive Dentistry Research Award |
Weiqing Liu | Maynard K. Hine Award for Excellence in Dental Research |
The 2025 Research Day Planning Committee included co-chair Keli Seering, co-chair Dr. Chandler Walker, and committe members Dr. Hawra AlQallaf, Kristy Beach, Dr. Angela Bruzzaniti, Katie Chester, Dr. Tien-Min Gabriel Chu, Giovanna Denucci, Dr. Vinicius Dutra, Dr. Mauricio Escoffié, Dr. Grace Gomez Felix Gomez, Dr. Richard Gregory, Professor Abrielle Lamphere, Dr. Frank Lippert, Sheryl McGinnis, Drashty Mody, Dr.Halide Namli Kilic, Professor Abbey Rieck, Naomi Riley, Dr. Hakan Turkkahraman, and Terry Wilson.