Clinical and Translational Research

Dental researchers at the college have a strong history of pursuing clinical and translational research in a collaborative and supportive environment with the goal of improving patient care.

The college’s translational and clinical research has flourished by drawing knowledge and experience from College of Dentistry colleagues and other disciplines—from medicine to physics, from public health to engineering.

Salah Abuhammoud

Salahaldeen Abuhammoud

MS, FACP, Assistant Professor

Chris Barwacz

Chris Barwacz

Associate Professor, DEO, Family Dentistry

Robert Bowers

Robert Bowers

Assistant Professor

Huojun Cao

Jun Cao

PhD, Associate Professor

Dr. Aaron Cho

Aaron Cho

MS, DEO, Prosthodontics

Shareef Dabdoub

Shareef Dabdoub

PhD, Assistant Professor

Carlos Garaicoa headshot

Carlos Garaicoa

MS, Clinical Assistant Professor

David Gratton headshot

David Gratton

MS, Associate Professor

Chris Hogden headshot

Chris Hogden

MS, Assistant Professor

Aditi Jain headshot

Aditi Jain

MS, Clinical Associate Professor

Anvita Maharishi

Anvita Maharishi

MMSc, Assistant Professor

Abhishek Parolia

Abishek Parolia

PhD, Associate Professor

Kyungsup Shin

Kyungsup Shin

PhD, Ross D. Christensen Family Professor of Orthodontics

clark stanford headshot

Clark Stanford

PhD, Dean and Professor

Karin Weber-Gasparoni

Karin Weber-Gasparoni

PhD, DEO, Pediatric Dentistry

Erliang Zeng

Erliang Zeng

PhD, Associate Professor

Leo Marchini

Leonardo Marchini

PhD, Professor and DEO, Preventive and Community Dentistry

Julie Reynolds

Julie Reynolds

MS, Assistant Professor

Updates

Anelise Viapiana Masiero

CRISP-funded endodontic research advances understanding of irrigation techniques and sealer performance

Tuesday, August 4, 2026
Anelise Viapiana Masiero's research project supported by the University of Iowa College of Dentistry and Dental Clinics' Clinical/Dental Education Research Initiative Support Program (CRISP) has generated new findings that could help clinicians improve root canal treatment outcomes while advancing understanding of emerging endodontic materials and techniques.
Ankita Samal presents at the Midwest Society of Periodontology Annual Meeting in Chicago

Iowa periodontics resident Samal earns 2nd place at Midwest Society of Periodontology case competition

Tuesday, February 24, 2026
Dr. Ankita Samal, a third-year resident in the Periodontics Program at the University of Iowa College of Dentistry and Dental Clinics, earned second place in the Clinical Case Competition at the Midwest Society of Periodontology Annual Meeting held in Chicago.
Jeremiah Poppen and Kecia Leary

Building a Safer Dental Clinic: Jeremiah Poppen’s Research on Incident Reporting

Wednesday, February 11, 2026
Jeremiah Poppen, a dental student in the Student Research Program mentored by Kecia Leary, analyzed patient safety incident reports before and after a new reporting system at the College of Dentistry. His findings highlight changing patterns in safety events and support a stronger culture of prevention, documentation, and improved care for patients and providers.
Sukirth Ganesan

Can arginine toothpaste also improve gum health?

Tuesday, February 10, 2026
Sukirth Ganesan is leading a clinical study examining whether an arginine‑containing toothpaste can influence the subgingival microbiome in patients receiving supportive periodontal care. The six‑month trial will track microbial and clinical changes to determine whether this common dentifrice ingredient can support long‑term periodontal health without increasing disease risk.