At the University of Iowa College of Dentistry, research is more than discovery. It is a collaborative effort woven together by individuals who ensure that every study, seminar, and submission is supported with care and precision. Across the college, in addition to our excellent Grant Support Team, we have four other members of the research support team: Sheila Britton, Sara Miller, Abby Thomas, and Michael Tilley, each of whom play distinct roles in sustaining the infrastructure of research. Their work forms a tapestry of support that enables faculty, students, and staff to pursue meaningful inquiry and innovation.

Sara Miller: Coordinating Clinical Research with Care

As a liaison between investigators, sponsors, university offices, and research participants, Sara Miller plays a central role in managing clinical research at Iowa Dentistry. She supports more than 89 principal investigators and oversees the coordination of over 150 research subjects involved in complex, more-than-minimal risk clinical trials. Her work ensures compliance with HIPAA, IRB, Environmental Health and Safety, ClinicalTrials.gov, and IT policies, while also facilitating communication across departments and institutions. With a deep understanding of regulatory frameworks and a commitment to patient-centered research, Miller helps transform clinical ideas into actionable studies.

Abby Thomas: Organizing the Infrastructure of Research Excellence

Abby Thomas provides executive and strategic support to the Office of the Associate Dean for Research. She coordinates monthly research meetings, manages internal grant programs such as Seed Grants and CRISP, and maintains databases that track research metrics, funding, and outcomes. Thomas also supports faculty through promotion and tenure processes, award nominations, and candidate visits. Her attention to detail, organizational leadership, and convivial nature ensure that the college’s research operations run smoothly and that faculty have the resources they need to succeed.

Sheila Britton: Championing Student Research and Training

Sheila Britton’s work centers on supporting student researchers and trainees. She coordinates the Student Research Program and the Oral Science graduate programs, managing meetings, registrations, thesis defenses, and celebrations. Britton also plays a key role in the administration of the T90/R90 training grant, organizing mentoring sessions, workshops, and annual progress reporting. Her efforts foster a vibrant research culture among students and trainees, helping them navigate academic milestones and connect with mentors. Britton’s event planning and program coordination create a welcoming and structured environment for emerging scholars.

Michael Tilley: Communicating Research with Clarity and Impact

Michael Tilley leads the college’s science writing and editorial efforts, supporting faculty in drafting and refining grant applications and peer-reviewed publications. He also writes and edits web articles, newsletters, and research features that highlight the college’s achievements. Tilley manages research-related content across internal and public-facing websites and in the collegiate newsletter, the Hawkeye Smile. His work ensures that Iowa Dentistry’s research is communicated clearly, professionally, and accessibly connecting discoveries to broader audiences and reinforcing the college’s reputation for excellence.

Together, these four professionals, alongside the Grant Support Team of Ann Lawler, Mikaela Rhoads, and Lisa Ringen, exemplify the breadth and depth of research support at Iowa Dentistry. Their roles may differ, but their shared commitment to collaboration, precision, and service strengthens the college’s research mission. Like threads in a tapestry, their contributions interweave to form a resilient and dynamic foundation. A foundation that enables Iowa Dentistry to thrive as a leader in oral health research.