The University of Iowa Orthodontics Department proudly congratulates Dr. Aline Petrin on her well-deserved nomination for Mentor of the Year. Dr. Petrin, currently serving as an Assistant Professor in the department, has been nominated for her expertise in research and caring support for the students she guides. 

Dr. Petrin primarily focuses her research on craniofacial birth defects, with a specific emphasis on the genetics and epigenetics of nonsyndromic cleft lip and palate. Her work is highly regarded within the orthodontic community, earning her numerous awards and honors for her contributions, research, and presentations throughout her esteemed career. 

Amanda Seaberg, the dental student who nominated Dr. Petrin for Mentor of the Year, highlights the collaborative environment that Dr. Petrin fosters as a significant factor in her nomination for this prestigious award. Under her tutelage, students have enhanced their research skills, including bench work, literary analysis, and critical thinking. Dr. Petrin's openness to experimenting with modern technologies and ideas creates an atmosphere that encourages students to develop innovative research skills. 

"She has treated me as an equal, mentoring me when appropriate but also valuing my input as a colleague."