Celebrating our students, faculty and staff! |
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College of Dentistry De-Stress Week Activities |
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Tuesday, April 27
Breakfast on the Go
7:30 a.m. - 9 a.m.
Lower level by Dean's Conference Room
While supplies last. Items individually packaged.
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Wednesday, April 28
Virtual BINGO
12 p.m. - 1 p.m.
There will be lots of prizes!
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Peng and Oakley to research oral cancer progression and drug resistance
Aimin Peng, PhD, associate professor in the department of oral biology, received grant funding from the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research for the project "Greatwall in replication stress/DNA damage responses and oral cancer resistance."
"First-line treatments for oral cancer typically include surgery, radiation and chemotherapy. Unfortunately, the prognosis of oral cancer remains relatively poor, calling for a better understanding of how these treatments work and why some tumors are resistant, and accordingly, developing more effective treatment options and combinations to overcome drug resistance," Peng said. "In this project, we characterize a protein kinase named Greatwall as a potential drug target to improve the treatment outcome of cancer, including oral cancer."
"This project will characterize new mechanisms of how the oral cancer cell responds to radiation and therapeutic drugs, and thereby significantly impact our understanding of oral cancer progression and drug resistance," Peng said.
Gregory G. Oakley, PhD, associate professor in the department of oral biology, is the project's co-investigator.
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ASDA helps students become better leaders and dentists
During the past year, the UNMC College of Dentistry’s chapter of the American Student Dental Association (ASDA) has made a profound difference in students' lives.
ASDA is a national student-run organization that protects and advances the rights, interests and welfare of dental students. This year, when faced with COVID-19 pandemic-related challenges, the UNMC chapter took the organization’s mission to heart and offered their members new opportunities to become better leaders and dentists.
"One of our greatest accomplishments was holding a week of virtual events focused on diversity and inclusion," said Logan Lawrence, a third-year dental student and ASDA chapter president. "We reached out to every College of Dentistry student organization to get as many voices involved as possible, and every student organization partnered with us and held an event."
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College of Dentistry team wins second place in UNMC E-Learning Showcase
The 2021 Innovators in Education E-Learning Showcase was held virtually last week via Canvas. New this year, attendees were able to vote for the top modules. More than 300 people voted, and three development teams were awarded top honors, including:
2nd Place - Digital Design - Occlusal Splint - Developed by Gregory Bennett, DMD, assistant professor in the department of adult restorative dentistry, and students Spencer Adams (D4), Cameron Aitken (D4), Selam Carlson (D3) and Isaac Langan (D2).
"I had a fun time working with my colleagues and Dr. Bennett on the module," said Selam Carlson. "It was very helpful to be able to collaborate with multiple people and get helpful tips and tricks to make the module excellent. The program format was very friendly and easy to maneuver around, and we got 100% support from the e-learning team! The award is icing on the cake."
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In the news: College of Dentistry led peers during pandemic
The following article was featured in UNMC Today.
In March 2020, as the UNMC College of Dentistry moved to remote learning and halted routine dental care, efforts began to adapt the educational experience.
Prior to the pandemic, UNMC dental and dental hygiene students and residents worked with approximately 70,000 patients annually in the college's dental clinics and on extramural rotations to build their clinical skills. One of the first steps the college took to ensure educational continuity was to become the first dental school in the nation to purchase mobile dentistry equipment, called Optima units, that students used at home to continue building their clinical skills.
Students used the mobile handpiece systems to complete hands-on clinical exercises like preparing a tooth for a crown or treating a cavity.
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Amanda Sanchez
Sterilization Technician
What I'm most looking forward to about working at the college: Working with great people.
Hometown: Broken Bow, Nebraska
My family: I am the youngest of five.
Favorite things to do on a day off: I love camping, kayaking and playing with my dogs.
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Congratulations!
Corinne Van Osdel, a clinical instructor in the department of growth and development, welcomed identical twins on February 9.
Ciene Mae Cogburn
Born at 10:38 p.m.
4 lbs. 12 oz., 18 inches
Claren Jane Cogburn
Born at 10:40 p.m.
5 lbs., 17 1/2 inches
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April service anniversaries
The following individuals are celebrating milestone UNMC service anniversaries in April!
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40+ Years
Wayne Kaldahl, Professor (47 Years)
Phyllis Kumm, Oral Biology Technician
(42 Years)
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10 Years
Debra Keim, Administrative Business Associate
5 Years
Daryl Malena, Clinical Assistant Professor
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