Articles from August 2025

Brad Amendt headshot

Iowa team advances gene treatment to prevent premature skull fusion in newborns

University of Iowa researchers, led by Dr. Brad Amendt, successfully tested a nano-sized packet that released a single gene to prevent craniosynostosis. The research team aims to begin human clinical trials in the next one to two years.
Dean Stanford and Marcela Hernandez posing for a photo after Hernandez received the 2025 McLeran Faculty Award

Hernandez receives 2025 McLeran Faculty Award

Tuesday, August 26, 2025
Dr. Marcela Hernandez was honored with the 2025 James H. and Hermine E. McLeran Faculty Award at the All College Conference on August 18.
Seed Grant

Iowa Dentistry Announces 2025 Seed Grant Awards

The University of Iowa College of Dentistry is pleased to announce the 2025 Seed Grant Awards. This is the fifth year of the seed grant program, and these grants fund innovative projects from early-career investigators or established investigators who are developing a new line of research.
Julie Reynolds

Iowa Dentistry Awarded Competitive Renewal to Advance Patient-Centered Dental Home Model

Wednesday, August 20, 2025
The University of Iowa College of Dentistry has received a competitive renewal of a grant from the CareQuest Institute for Oral Health to expand its Patient-Centered Dental Home (PCDH) project. Led by Dr. Julie Reynolds and Dr. Pete Damiano, the project will pilot new adult-focused quality measures, test care delivery standards, and explore patient-reported outcomes to improve dental care quality and integration with broader health systems.
Eric Van Otterloo working with a lab member

University of Iowa Researchers Awarded NIH Grant to Uncover Genetic Mechanisms Behind Oral and Skin Development

Monday, August 11, 2025
Dr. Huojun Cao (Endodontics) and Dr. Eric Van Otterloo (Periodontics) have been awarded a $3 million NIH R01 grant to investigate how genetic programs guide the development of oral, dental, and skin tissues in the lower jaw.
A group photo of the volunteers in St. Lucia, who provided free dental care.

Justman participates in dental outreach clinic in St. Lucia

Monday, August 11, 2025
Professor Emeritus Bruce Justman joined an international volunteer team providing free dental care to more than 600 patients across St. Lucia, West Indies.
Jeff Banas

Banas Appointed Associate Dean for Research at the University of Iowa College of Dentistry

Friday, August 8, 2025
Dr. Jeff Banas was appointed the UI College of Dentistry's next Associate Dean for Research.