Senior Research Achievement Awards are determined based on a portfolio of research that is circulated to a group of electors. The electors select award recipients based on the scientific merit of projects, the significance and productivity of projects, the number of years of involvement in research, the originality of the research, and the student's professional conduct. Award recipients were selected in 2026: Jessica Fuessley, Saba Manafi, Vi Phan, Jeremiah Poppen, Christina Spencer, and Taylor Westphal.

Jeremiah Poppen (D4) was featured in the 2026 Dare to Discover Campaign for the University of Iowa Office of the Vice President of Research. Poppen's research investigates how dentists respond to emergencies in the clinic.

Sukirth Ganesan, associate professor and director of the Advanced Education Program in Periodontics at the University of Iowa College of Dentistry, recently served as the open plenary session speaker at the 20th PHSU-PRI Annual Scientific Conference and fourth RCMI Symposium on Health Disparities in Ponce, Puerto Rico.