School of Dental Medicine Newsroom

2026 Publications, Grants and Awards

Written by SDM Comms | October 06, 2026

Scholarship at the CU Anschutz School of Dental Medicine reflects the collective contributions of our faculty, staff, residents and students. Through research, clinical innovation, educational inquiry and community-focused studies, members of our school are advancing knowledge and helping shape the future of oral health care. Explore recent publications, grants and awards that highlight the depth and impact of scholarly activity across our community. 

Q1 Publications 

Q2 Publications

Q3 Publications

 

Grants 

  • ​​​​​​​Associate Professor Katherine Fantauzzo, PhD, received a 5-year, $2.5M NIH/NIDCR grant for her project, "PDGFR dimer-specific dynamics in the craniofacial mesenchyme," studying molecular signaling pathways that guide craniofacial development. Specifically, the grant funds the use of new tools, including mouse models, to track cell surface receptor dimerization and trafficking—work that is only being done in the Fantauzzo Laboratory, and could advance understanding of congenital facial differences.

  • Margaret Keating, graduate student in the Nichols Laboratory, received a 3-year, F31 fellowship of $127,086 from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development for her project, "Child Health and Human Development Extramural Research". Using a zebrafish model, this project explores developmental pathways that may contribute to limb differences in humans. The research aims to uncover novel mechanisms that could help explain cases for which a genetic cause has not yet been identified. 

  • Cassandra Minne, graduate student in the Fantauzzo Laboratory, received a 3-year F31 fellowship from the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research for her project, "Alternative RNA splicing of Rps6ka3 downstream of PDGFR signaling in the facial mesenchyme”. This research of the fellowship aims to provide significant insight into gene expression regulation during mammalian craniofacial development and potentially new therapeutic directions for the treatment of human palatal defects. 

  • Abigail Mumme-Monheit, graduate student in the Nichols Laboratory, received a F99 fellowship of $44,344 from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences for her project, "Mechanisms of Incomplete Penetrance". This fellowship supports research into why some individuals remain healthy despite carrying disease-causing genetic mutations. By uncovering the biological mechanisms that contribute to this resilience, the work aims to identify new pathways for developing treatments for genetic disorders. Following the F99 phase and having received her PhD, she will transition to the K00 phase and receive an additional three years of grant support for her postdoctoral training and career development. 

  • Associate Professor Annetty Soto, DMD, FAGSD, FACD, was awarded a $5,000 NICHE-Dental Institutional Heroes grant from the American Academy of Developmental Medicine and Dentistry (AADMD). The award funds a pilot project entitled "Virtual Tranquility: Virtual Reality for Emotional Wellness in Geriatric and Special Needs Populations." The project purpose is to provide effective immersive experience to reduce preoperative anxiety in patients.

 

Awards 

  • Fantauzzo Laboratory graduate student Charles Griffin received the 2026-2027 ARCS Scholar Award through the Achievement Rewards for College Scientists Foundation, which will support his research exploring gene expression regulation during mammalian craniofacial development.

  • Assistant Professor in the Department of Craniofacial, Oral and Materials Sciences Kristin Watt, PhD, received the H.W. Mossman Award in Developmental Biology from the American Association for Anatomy. She said, "I am thankful for all who have supported my career and look forward to more exciting work to come from the lab!"

  • Lindsey Yates, DDS, associate professor in the Department of Restorative Dentistry, was honored with the "Outstanding Contributions to Interprofessional Education" Award, presented on March 4, 2026, at the CU Anschutz Health Sciences Building. Dr. Yates has been a faculty member within the IPE curriculum since 2016 and her work has been presented nationally and internationally many times over the last decade. University of Colorado's IPE curriculum enrolls nearly 750 students per year (from the School of Dental Medicine, School of Medicine, School of Pharmacy, College of Nursing, Physician Assistant Program, and Physical Therapy Program) from the Anschutz campus as well as other campuses. Dr. Yates is currently serving as assistant director of the CU Center for Interprofessional Practice and Education. 

 
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