SIU School of Dental Medicine

Research/Scholarship

SIU SDM Research Handbook

The Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine Research Handbook is intended to assist faculty and students in their efforts to develop and manage their research projects. The handbook provides information about internal funding, external funding, research compliance protocols, and the ethical and responsible conduct of research.

Student Research

2025 Research Day

SIU School of Dental Medicine’s Annual Research Day Fosters Critical Thinking and Scientific Inquiry

The SIU School of Dental Medicine (SIU SDM) hosted its Annual Research Day on Tuesday, April 8 on the Alton Campus of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. The event offers the School the opportunity to highlight the exciting research endeavors taking place by students, residents and faculty at SIU SDM.

Barbara McCracken, PhD, Assistant Dean for Research at SIU SDM, served as this year’s emcee. She noted the importance of drawing attention to the remarkable range of research activity on campus each year.

"The School’s Annual Research Day is a highly anticipated event that showcases the innovative and collaborative research endeavors of our students, residents, and faculty,” said McCracken. “The day provides a valuable platform for our students and residents to present their original research, fostering critical thinking, scientific inquiry, and the development of future leaders in dental research."

Leading up to Research Day, dental students competed in the annual Student Research Table Clinic Competition. This year, twelve students presented on eight different research projects. Students proceeded to detail their research -- from methodology to findings -- for a distinguished panel of judges.

The student presentations were reviewed by five impartial judges representing three separate institutions: Corey Ragsdale, PhD, associate professor of anthropology and Bethany Kassebaum, instructor in biological sciences (SIUE);. Bob Weck, professor of biology (Southwestern Illinois College); and Timm Schwartz, DDS, and Gary Fischer, DMD (Illinois State Dental Society Foundation).

On Research Day, an Overall Winner of the SIU SDM Student Research Table Clinic Competition was announced. This year, Amanda Tannehill, a Year 3 dental student, earned the award. As the Overall Winner, Tannehill will be invited to attend the American Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research (AADOCR) General Session, which will be held in San Diego, CA in March 2026.

Tannehill's research is entitled "Antimicrobial Properties of Agmatine and Epigallocatechin Gallate (EGCG): An In-Vitro Investigation." Tannehill worked with faculty mentors McCracken and Alan Wickenhauser, DMD, on this research."

"First and foremost, I would like to thank Dr. McCracken and Dr. Wickenhauser for their unwavering support and commitment to this research project,” said Tannehill. “I am so grateful to have these two incredible mentors that are always willing to lend their guidance and share their expertise.”

“I would also like to congratulate the other students on their research findings and accomplishments. The competition this year was incredible, and there are some outstanding research efforts going on at the SIU SDM. And finally, thank you to the SIU SDM administrators that make it possible to share our knowledge with a wider audience.”

"I am still trying to find the words to explain how much this award and opportunity to present at the AADOCR conference means to me," added Tannehill. "I am blessed to have the opportunity to share these incredible findings to dentists and students from all around the world! I am beyond excited and thrilled to attend the AADOCR conference and cannot wait for the opportunity to represent SIU SDM in San Diego next March!"

In addition to showcasing amazing research by students, residents and faculty at SIU SDM, the School’s Annual Research Day also offers the opportunity to highlight research happening at other dental schools across the country. This year, the School’s Office of Research was excited to welcome Josh Thomson, PhD, from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Dentistry as the keynote speaker.

Thomson is an associate professor and the Interim Director of the Research Administration Division of Integrated Biomedical Sciences at the University of Detroit Mercy School of Dentistry. Thomson teaches microbiology and immunology to dental and dental hygiene students and residents, with a specific emphasis on infectious diseases and infection control. His main research focus is directed towards the use of natural compounds and bacteriophage as therapeutics against dental pathogens, as well as defining microbiological characteristics of dental materials.

Thomson offered two presentations during the 2025 SIU SDM Research Day. The first, geared toward faculty and staff, was entitled "Is Bacteriophage Therapy a Realistic Option for Caries Prevention?" The presentation was well received by the faculty, staff, and residents in attendance.

In the afternoon, Thomson offered a presentation for the entire SIU SDM campus community entitled, "Incorporating Microbiology into Dentistry: Mouth rinses, Phages, and Public Health." This presentation successfully held the interest of students, residents, fellows, faculty and staff alike.

Immediately following Thomson's afternoon presentation, the SIU SDM campus community was invited to view all research posters from the Student Research Table Clinic Competition, and many more from students, residents and faculty of SIU SDM and SIUE. The researchers were present during the viewing to field questions from those in attendance.

“The SIU School of Dental Medicine offers some amazing research opportunities for our students and residents, and our faculty are deeply involved in clinical and biomedical research,” said McCracken. “It is rewarding each year to be able to take a day to celebrate the advancement of dental research that SIU SDM is helping to promote.”

Photos:

Amanda Tannehill, SIU SDM Year 3 dental student, Overall Winner of the SIU SDM Student Research Table Clinic Competition; Barbara McCracken, PhD, Assistant Dean for Research at SIU SDM, Tannehill and SIU SDM Dean Saulius E. Drukteinis, DMD, MS, PhD; Keynote Speaker Josh Thomson, PhD, University of Detroit Mercy School of Dentistry

Dean’s Student Research Fellowship Program

Each year, funding is made available for student participation in research, sponsored by SDM faculty. Research fellowships are awarded on a competitive basis as determined by merit of a submitted research proposal. This program is designed to introduce a student to research. Funding for a second year student is approved only in rare cases. Details of the research program and how to apply are offered through the links that follow:

• Dean’s Student Research Fellowship Guidelines and Checklist [pdf]
• Prospectus  [pdf]
• Cover Sheet  [pdf]
• Budget Request Form [pdf]
• Report Form [pdf]

SIU SDM Research Committee

All research conducted by SDM faculty (regardless of the type or source of funding) and changes to current/ongoing research projects must be approved in advance by the SDM Research Committee. No scholarly activity points will be awarded for research activity which was not pre-approved by the Research Committee.

The SDM Research Committee requests all materials which need consideration and/or approval be submitted to Office of Research for processing at least one week before the next committee meeting. The SDM Research Committee meeting schedule is:

Other important events for 2024-2025

April 7, 2025: Research Day Table Clinic Competition

April 8, 2025: Research Day

The SDM Research Committee Members are:

• Dr. Cinnamon VanPutte, Chair; Ext. 7212
• Dr. Abigail Eilerman, Vice-Chair; Ext. 7131
• Dr. Kathryn Carter; Ext. 7216
• Dr. Katie Hanser; Ext. 7355
• Dr. Mohamed Omran; Ext. 7213
• Dr. Douglas Miley, Consultant; Ext. 7208
• Dr. Barbara McCracken, Ex-officio; Ext. 7144

Pilot Project Application Forms

• Pilot Project Requirements [.doc]
• Budget Request [.doc]
• Application Cover Sheet [.doc]
• Report Form [.doc]

Advanced Investigation Award Application Forms

• SDM AIA Guidelines [.doc]
• Budget Request [.doc]
• Application Cover Sheet [.doc]
• Report Form [.doc]

Resident Research Application Forms

• Requirements [.doc]
• Budget Request Form [.doc]
• Application Cover Sheet [.doc]

SDM Research Projects – No Funds Requested (N.F.R.)

• NEW SDM Research Project - No Funds Requested (N.F.R.) - Application Form [.doc]

SDM STimulus Award for Resubmissions (STAR)

• SDM STimulus Award for Resubmissions (STAR) Guidelines [pdf]

Other Office of Research Forms

• Faculty Travel Request Form [.doc]
• University-Funded Travel Release Form [.doc] 
• Graduate Student Travel Request Form [.doc]
• SIUE Graduate School Travel Budget Worksheet [.doc]
• Research Supply Order Form [.doc]
• Research Equipment Request Form [.doc]
• Supplemental Grant Award Form [.doc]
  
  
  

American Association for Dental Research

The Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine is an Institutional Section member of the American Association for Dental Research, and we encourage our faculty, research staff and students to join AADR at the individual level. Dedicated scientists turn to AADR to move their research into action.

Being an AADR member will give you:

• Increased opportunities to advocate for the future of dental, oral and craniofacial research;
• Online access to cutting-edge science published in the Journal of Dental Research;
• A subscription to the monthly AADR Science Advocate e-newsletter;
• Discounted registration rates to attend AADR and IADR meetings;
• A platform to network and collaborate with researchers and others in the field of dentistry;
• And much more!

For more information and to join, visit http://www.iadr.org/AADR/Join-Renew/Join-Us