Research Day Explores Advancements in Cancer Treatment, 3D Imaging and More

From radioprotection in head and neck cancer therapy to trends in patient-centered communication training, the 39th Annual CU Dental Research Day on Feb. 23 brought together a variety of compelling research topics. 

“The posters and presentations at Research Day this year exemplify the strength of our research program as well as the impact these projects will have on the future of oral healthcare,” said Associate Dean of Academic Affairs and Innovation and Research Day Co-Chair Tracy de Peralta, DMD, PhD, MClinEd. 

Protecting Healthy Cells in Cancer Therapy  

Research Associate Trisiani Affandi, PhD, presented, “Advances in Radioprotection of the Salivary Gland.” Patients treated with radiation for head and neck cancer (HNC) often sustain collateral damage to non-cancerous tissues in the oral cavity, such as in the salivary glands. Affandi’s findings may help identify new targets for radioprotection of oral tissues in HNC patients, to keep the salivary gland function intact while still attacking the cancerous cells. 

Affandi said, “There are currently very few strategies to protect the surrounding healthy tissues from radiation damage in HNC cancer patients. Our lab has found that Protein Kinase C delta regulates radiation-induced cell death in healthy cells and tissues. We hope that by understanding its function in cell death that we can help develop better strategies to prevent radiation damage to non-tumor tissues.” 

Radiation is a very common cancer therapy. Affandi said, “These findings could be important for many types of cancers that are treated with radiation, and possibly chemotherapy. Our studies may also have a significant impact on patient therapy and quality of life, which is very gratifying to me.” 

Patient care is at the heart of countless research endeavors. As we gain a more intricate understanding of these subjects, we can continue to improve patient care, treatment and outcomes in many different areas. 

Advanced 3D Imaging Techniques in Craniofacial Development Research 

Continued research into the understanding of genetic, behavioral and environmental factors in craniofacial development is “paramount to obtaining new knowledge of common craniofacial conditions,” said Keynote Speaker Timothy Cox, PhD, Endowed Professor in Dental and Musculoskeletal Tissue Research at the University of Missouri Kansas City School of Dentistry. 

By understanding these factors better, we can learn more about conditions like cleft lip (an opening or split in the upper lip that occurs while a fetus develops), midface hypoplasia (underdevelopment of the upper jaw, cheekbones and eye sockets which can lead to an underbite appearance) and craniofacial microsomia (smaller features on one side of the face, typically affecting the ear and jaw). 

Cox’s lab has become recognized as a leader in this field, using qualitative and quantitative high-resolution 3D imaging to assess the impact of genetic mutations and maternal diet on early craniofacial development. 

CU SDM Associate Professor and Research Day Co-Chair Jamie Nichols, PhD, said, “The analysis and imaging techniques Dr. Cox has developed present countless opportunities for the future of oral healthcare. It's something that everyone in attendance will find compelling.” 

Educational Research on Patient-Centered Teaching 

A new area of research highlighted in this year’s program was educational research, which took center stage with an oral presentation on “Patient-centered teaching: How have we done in the past seven years?” 

Co-presenters CU SDM Associate Professor and Associate Director for the Center for Oral Disease Prevention & Population Health Research (COPPR) Tamanna Tiwari, BDS, MDS, MPH, and Center for Advancing Professional Excellence (CAPE) Curriculum Manager Tanya Russell, PhD, will discuss the value that CAPE brings to dental education and trends in communication training for dental students. 

CAPE promotes interprofessional education for current and future healthcare providers through simulation exercises and hands-on learning in a range of situations. CU Dental students have been working with CAPE since 2013. 

In Tiwari’s Behavioral Health Sciences course, third-year dental students take on two standardized patient cases with CAPE. For example, one case presents a pregnant patient who immigrated to the United States and does not want X-rays. Students must establish a rapport, remember their training in oral-systemic connections and provide comprehensive, patient-centered care in a simulated environment. 

At the end of each case, students complete a self-assessment and are evaluated by the patients from their assigned cases. They also do a self-reflection and feedback session with the patients, which allows for continuous improvement in their use of communication skills. Using assessments from the last seven years, Tiwari will present cumulative data to show students’ growth in eight skills categories. Furthermore, the data will be used to work with faculty on integrating what they feel is necessary into their curriculum. 

Additional oral presentations include “Buffering Craniofacial Development” by PhD Candidate Abigail Mumme-Monheit and “RNA Polymerase III in craniofacial cartilage and bone development” by Assistant Professor Kristin Watt, PhD. 

Posters Compete for $600 in Prizes 

In addition to oral presentations, Research Day featured a poster competition. Everyone with a research project at the CU SDM is encouraged to participate in the poster session. 

Although faculty members are ineligible for an award, Assistant Professor Yanira Owens, RDH, MHA, EdD, will bring another educational research topic to the day with her poster, “Examining Burnout between Traditional and International Dental Students Training in the U.S.” 

Posters are judged in four categories:  

The winning posters in each category will win $150; to be announced at the conclusion of the Research Day program.  

For the full agenda, poster and presentation abstracts, and more about the speakers, visit dental.cuanschutz.edu/researchday.