Two UAB students win national dentistry research awards

The competition is designed to encourage students to conduct original research and to be reviewed by their peers.

Two University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) students have had their research posters recognized at the 26th annual DENTSPLY/Caulk Student Research Group Award Competition for original research that was held during the American Association for Dental Research/Canadian Association for Dental Research Annual Meeting & Exhibition in Seattle.

Maria Kuzynski, a graduate student in the UAB Department of Cell, Molecular and Developmental Biology won first place in the basic science category for her research project “Trps1 is Required for Mineralization of Odontoblastic Cells in vitro.” Devon Cooper, a second-year dental student, won second place in the clinical science category for his research project “Antibody Activity Against Cariogenic Bacteria in Parotid and Whole Saliva.” Kuzynski received a $750 cash prize for first place, and Cooper received a $500 cash prize for second place. Both received a certificate, ribbon and award plaque. The competition is designed to encourage students to conduct original research and to be reviewed by their peers.