News

Seed Grant

The College of Dentistry Announces 2023 Seed Grant Awards

The University of Iowa College of Dentistry is pleased to announce the 2023 Seed Grant Awards. This is the third 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.
Shaoping Zhang

Iowa Dental Faculty awarded major National Institutes of Health R01 grant

The National Institutes of Health awarded Shaoping Zhang, assistant professor of periodontics, and his team a 5-year, $1.95 million R01 grant to assess and understand the role of type I interferon (IFN-I) in periodontal disease. This major research project is part of Iowa Dentistry’s efforts to advance research and discovery—producing novel translational research that can treat those who suffer from periodontitis.
Steve Vercande receiving Honorary Recognition award from the University of Iowa Dental Alumni Association

Steven "Steve" Vercande passed away

Steven "Steve" Vercande, a longtime staff member in the Department of Prosthodontics, passed away on January 18, 2023. He leaves a deep and abiding legacy at the college and the entire dental profession in Iowa. He will be missed. Information about arrangements will be communicated as they become available.
Patient receiving care in the Geriatric and Special Needs clinic

Profile: Howard J. Cowen, DDS, MS, DABSCD, FICD

When Howard Cowen (’76 DDS, ’95 MS) joined the University of Iowa College of Dentistry faculty in 1982, he served as the Director of the Geriatric Mobile Dental Unit, which provided care to elderly patients across the state starting in 1979. Throughout his career, Cowen has focused on making sure that underserved populations receive the highest quality dental care, and has helped to shape the educational offerings to dental students in the field of underserved populations.

Winter Gathering and Ornament Contest

The 2023 winter gathering at the College of Dentistry was a great success. In addition to celebrating together with colleagues, the college enjoyed sharing good food and looking at the various ornaments submitted for the college's 2023 Winter Ornament Contest Winners. 
Clark Stanford walking by the College of Dentistry with a tote in hand

Guiding the Ship Home

As an alumnus, a gifted clinician, and a cutting-edge researcher, Clark Stanford is ready to get to work as the dean of his alma mater and to build on its legacy and strengths as it becomes Iowa's dental hospital.
Axel Ruprecht

Historical impressions: Specialty in Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology

The approval of the Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology (OMR) specialty by the American Dental Association (ADA) in 1999 can be largely attributed to two individuals: Axel Ruprecht, former professor, UI College of Dentistry’s Oral Pathology, Radiology, and Medicine; and Mel Kantor, University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire.
Ida Rose

Ida Rose gift

Our sincerest thanks to Ida Rose (’99 DDS) for her generous gift establishing a new scholarship in support of underrepresented students in the College of Dentistry.
Students participating in the 2022 poverty simulation

Developing empathy for patients experiencing poverty

In November, 84 dental students role-played the experiences of low-income patients as part of the College of Dentistry's annual poverty simulation. This simulation helps students develop cognitive and affective empathy which enhances their ability to plan treatments that patients can realistically implement.

In Memoriam

We were saddened learn of the death of one of our program alumni, Dr. Rahul Nair (MS, 2008) who died in an automobile accident on November 4, 2022.