Research Day Award Winners

2026 Winners

First Place: Luke Jacobsand Ethan Christie
Mentor: Ali Nawshad, PHD
"Up in Smoke: Effects of Prenatal Cigarette Exposure on Tooth Development in a Murine Model"
Second place: Xcaret Castelan and Nayeli Ayala
Mentors: Jeffrey Payne, DDS, Kaeli Samson, MPH, Richard Reinhardt, DDS, PhD, Megan Christiansen, RDH, BS, Laura Anderson, RDH, BS, Amy Killeen, DDS
"The Long-Term Association of Systemic Health, Age and Local Inflammation in Periodontal Maintenance Patients - A Database of Clinical and Systemic Parameters"
Third place: Calissa Zanderson and Janae Hoffmann
Mentor: Kavya Muttanahaly, MDSc
"Comparative Evaluation of Incisive Canal Cysts Using 2D and 3D Imaging Modalities"

First place: Natalie Blumenkemper, Brittney Brtek and Kelsey Hudecek
Mentor: Tom Petro, PhD
"Effect of Lactobacillus-Containing Dentifrice on Streptococcus Mutans Biofilm Formation: An In Vitro Study"
Second place: Samantha Root and Hannah Parsley
Mentors: Jaimee Shropshire, RDH, BS, MHPTT, and Bobby Simetich
"The Effect of Carbonated Water and pH on the Hardness of Tooth Enamel: An In Vitro Study"
Third place: Cori Combs and Addison Knoll
Mentors: Emily Lindquist, RDH, BS and Tom Petro, PhD
"The Effects of Fluoride and Nano-hydroxyapatite Toothpaste on Streptococcus Mutans Biofilm: an in Vitro Study"

First place: Christine Alder, DDS
Mentors: Paula Schlemmer, DMD, Amy Killeen, DDS
"Clinical Changes in Porcine Collagen Membrane vs. Bovine Collagen Wound Dressing in Atraumatic Extraction Sites with DFDBA Graft"
Second place: Gregory Ingalsbe, DMD
Mentor: Richard Reinhardt, DDS, PhD
"Using Spatial Sequencing to Identify the Effects of Macrophage Responses to Wound Healing after Tooth Extraction"

First place: Mikah Hoppens and Tanner Delaney
Mentor: Dr. Ali Nawshad
"Genetically rescuing left palate: a potentially novel approach to correct palate cleft in TGFβ3 -/- mice"
Second place: Carter Meyer and Samantha Hunter
Mentor: Dr. Richard Reinhardt
"The effectiveness of detecting plaque on tooth surfaces using traditional and AI monitoring"
Third place: Elaina Spanel and Logan Spanel
Mentor: Dr. Amanda Wobido
"Impact of Polishing Systems on the Surface Roughness of Resin Composites"

First place: Gloria Larkin and Allie West
Mentor: Jaimee Shropshire
"The Inhibitory Effects of Terminalia chebula and Camellia sinensis Plant Extracts on Biofilm Containing and Streptococcus mutans: An in vitro study"
Second place: Jessica Nguyen and Jennifer Quebrado-Arcos
Mentors: Dr. Mark Beatty and Bobby Simetich
"Does Using Toothpaste Tablets Cause More Abrasion on Composite Resins Compared to Using Traditional Dentifrice?"
Third place: Maddie Zaborowski and Morgan Sila
Mentor: Dr. Dona McCanlies
"In Vitro Study: Comparing Oil Pulling on Permanent Extracted Teeth with Kilgore Artificial Plaque to Not Using the Oil Pulling Technique to Reduce Plaque Index"

First place: Dr. Duke Davis
Mentor: Dr. Richard Reinhardt
"Single cell RNA-sequencing identification of cell mediators involved in wound healing after single tooth extraction"
Second place: Dr. Morgan Holmes and Dr. Karan Mirchandani
Mentor: Dr. Anne Williamson
"Comparison of Diameters of Trunatomy Rotary Files and Gutta Percha"

First place: Nicholas Stolze
Mentor: Dr. Jeffrey Payne
"Examining Associations Between Classes of Medications and Tooth Loss in Periodontal Maintenance Patients"
Second place: Lucas Jarecke and Luke Wordekemper
Mentor: Dr. Gregory Bennett
"Analysis of Occlusal Clearance of Crown Preparations Made by Predoctoral Dental Students at the UNMC College of Dentistry"
Third place: Merina Joseph and Mahima Kinra
Mentors: Dr. Julie Marshall, Dr. Gregory Bennett, and Dr. Mark Beatty
"In Vitro Tensile Strength Comparison of Denture Liners to 3-D Printed Denture Resin"