Dr. Ariene Leme Kraus received an NIH grant to investigate how subtle changes in enamel and dentin contribute to the development of noncarious cervical lesions—a common and often painful dental condition. Her work aims to uncover the underlying mechanisms of tissue breakdown, laying the groundwork for earlier diagnosis and more effective, personalized treatments to improve long-term outcomes for patients.

Dr. Jeff Banas has received an NIH subaward to support research on a novel dental material that resists biofilm buildup and secondary decay. In collaboration with East Carolina University, his lab will test antibacterial properties of new resin composites—advancing efforts to improve restoration longevity and patient oral health outcomes.

Dr. Ransome van der Hoeven is working to improve options for immunocompromised patients. In his research, he has made advances in our understanding of innate immune responses by studying the worm, C. elegans.

A University of Iowa researcher Dr. Shareef Dabdoub has been awarded a grant (R03) from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) to investigate the complex role of viruses in oral health and disease. The grant, totaling $311,000, will support two years of research.

Iowa Dentistry played a significant role in a major clinical trial funded by the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) that has yielded promising results in the fight against childhood tooth decay.

Sukirth Ganesan and his team are using a multi -omics approach to study the relationship between periodontal disease and metabolic syndrome. The National Institutes of Health awarded them a R03 grant for over $300,000 for this project. The project will determine the precise relationship between these conditions, which could help prevent disease or provide early indicators of disease and possible avenues for treatment at an early stage of the condition.

Emily Lanzel received a grant in collaboration with the University of Chicago to use digital pathology slides to improve machine learning algorithms for use as a tool to evaluate the risk of cancer.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) awarded Cristina Vidal, assistant professor in the Department of Operative Dentistry, a 5-year grant totaling over $700K for her research project studying the relationship between caries and the oral microbiome.

On Thursday, the University of Iowa announced that the first $7.5 million of the investment revenue generated from the public-private partnership (P3) for its utility system would include a $600K+ award for the College of Dentistry. With this support, an interdisciplinary team with over 40-people, including Iowa faculty from the Colleges of Dentistry, Medicine, Pharmacy, and Engineering, will develop the preliminary data and program structure to apply for and be competitive for an $11 million grant from the NCI/NIDCR to establish a P50 Specialized Program of Research Excellence in oral cancer. This specialized research program in oral cancer will be the first of its kind in the nation.