Student and faculty researchers from leading Bay Area institutions recently gathered for an in-person research symposium, “From Exploration to Application,” sponsored by the San Francisco Chapter of the American Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research (AADOCR).

Held at University of the Pacific, Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry, the November 3 event attracted approximately 70 students, residents and post-doctoral attendees from the Dugoni School, Stanford Medical Center, UCSF and UC Berkeley.

Twenty six posters were presented and 11 awards were given to students in various categories. The event facilitated idea exchange and networking, offering opportunities for attendees to participate in future collaborations.

On behalf of the event’s organizing committee, the symposium was hosted by Dr. Karen Schulze, associate professor and director of clinical research at the Dugoni School, who also serves as president of the AADOCR San Francisco Chapter.

Dr. Rebecca Moazzez of the Dugoni School and Dr. Stuart Gansky of UCSF gave introductory remarks to welcome the event attendees, and Dr. Jill Helms, professor in the Department of Surgery at Stanford School of Medicine, presented the keynote, “A Treatise on Teeth.”

“The AADOCR research symposium was a wonderful example of the cooperative learning environment dental institutions, and all educational institutions, should be striving for,” said Dr. Schulze. “We learned a lot from our visiting presenters, but more importantly made personal connections that will help build a community of next-generation practitioners with interest in exploration and research.”

The AADOCR is the leading professional community for multidisciplinary scientists who advance dental, oral and craniofacial research. Formerly the American Association for Dental Research, the 3,000-member organization connects the scientific community of professionals who champion research that contributes to overall health and well-being.