College of Dentistry Hosts Inaugural Research Day

The event brought together students and faculty to celebrate and showcase the outstanding research shaping the future of oral health sciences.

In his opening remarks, Dr. Walter Siqueira, Dean of the College of Dentistry, emphasized the pivotal role of research in the college’s mission. “Research is a fundamental pillar of our college’s mission. We are committed to fostering a culture where research and teaching go hand in hand, ensuring that we are not only educating the next generation of oral health professionals but also pushing the boundaries of knowledge in our field. Today’s event reflects that commitment,” he stated.
The day featured a robust schedule of events, beginning with a keynote lecture by the distinguished Dr. Michael Glogauer, a professor at the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Dentistry, Dentist-in-Chief at University Health Network, and Head of Dental Oncology at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre. His engaging and insightful lecture, "Oral Microbial Metabolites and Peptide Mimicry in Periodontitis Drive Heart-Specific Autoimmune Activation and Adverse Outcomes in Heart Failure," captivated the audience. Dr. Glogauer commended Dr. Siqueira’s leadership and vision, attributing the college’s elevated status in the world of oral research to his hard work and dedication.

One of the highlights of the event was the poster presentation competition, showcasing research projects from undergraduate students participating in the college’s summer research program. This initiative, introduced in the past two years, fosters early engagement in scholarly inquiry and innovation. The students’ work demonstrated remarkable dedication to advancing oral health science, and attendees had the opportunity to interact with presenters, ask questions, and gain valuable insights. Promi Paul (supervisor Dr. Walter Siqueira) won first place, while Nicolas Macri (supervisor Dr. Felipe Sperandio) secured second place in the poster competition.

 LT - Promi Paul / RT - Nicolas Macri

In addition to the poster presentations, graduate (MSc and PhD) and visiting graduate students participated in an ‘elevator talk’ competition. This fast-paced segment challenged students to distill complex research into concise and compelling narratives, an essential skill for any researcher. Ahmed Eldib (supervisor Dr. Walter Siqueira) took first place, while Ana Beatriz Cantao (supervisor Dr. Liran Levin) earned second place.

LT - Ahmed Eldib / RT - Ana Beatriz Cantao

Dr. Liran Levin, Associate Dean of Research and Graduate Studies and a key organizer of the event, reflected on the success of the day. “This research day was a tremendous success from the beginning to the end. The participants got to enjoy a brilliant lecture by Dr. Michael Glogauer and learn a lot about the research that is performed at this college,” he said. He further highlighted the importance of providing students with opportunities to see the broader impact of the college’s research, beyond clinical training. “This will hopefully encourage more students to take part in research projects and consider further education in the form of Master’s or PhD degrees,” he added.

Dr. Siqueira expressed his pride in the college’s strides in research advancement that brought them to this day. He highlighted that every tenure-track faculty member recruited by the college holds both a DDS and a PhD, reinforcing a strong foundation of research-driven education. Additionally, each of these faculty members has been provided with a robust startup fund to support their research programs.

Further emphasizing the college’s research achievements, 16 College of Dentistry students have won awards to present their research at the annual American Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research/ Canadian Association for Dental Research (AADOCR/CADR) conference. This accomplishment reflects the high caliber of research being conducted at the college. Moreover, research excellence was further demonstrated by the 25 active research grants awarded last year, an increase from the previous year, showcasing the confidence funding agencies have in the work being done.

One of the most remarkable milestones in the college’s research journey has been its international recognition. In 2023, the college was ranked globally for the first time in the prestigious Shanghai Ranking’s Global Ranking of Academic Subjects. In 2024, for the second consecutive year, the college was ranked 150th in the world and sixth in Canada.

Additionally, the college’s influence in the global scientific community was highlighted by the inclusion of three faculty members and one PhD candidate on Stanford University’s 2024 list of the Top 2% Most Influential Scientists. This list recognizes individuals whose scholarly work has had a significant impact in their respective fields, with honorees including Dr. Walter Siqueira, Dr. Liran Levin, Dr. Andrew Leask, and PhD candidate Dr. Paras Ahmad.

The inaugural College of Dentistry Research Day was a resounding success, celebrating the college’s research achievements, fostering engagement among students and faculty, and reinforcing its commitment to pushing the boundaries of oral health sciences. As the college continues to grow and gain international recognition, its dedication to advancing research remains stronger than ever.