SHERIDAN, WYOMING – May 11, 2025 – Dentsply Sirona, in partnership with the American Association for Dental, Oral and Craniofacial Research (AADOCR), has officially announced the winners of the 2025 Student Competition for Advancing Dental Research and its Application (SCADA) Awards. Unveiled during the Opening Ceremonies of the 54th AADOCR Annual Meeting in New York, the awards spotlight student-led research poised to shape the future of oral healthcare innovation.
Highlighting Student Research Excellence in Dental Science
The SCADA Awards, a globally recognized platform for emerging dental researchers, continue to elevate promising talent within clinical, public health, basic, and translational science disciplines. This year’s winners were selected from top-tier dental schools across the United States and honored for their research addressing key challenges and advancements in dentistry.
In the Clinical Science & Public Health Research category:
- 1st Place: Alex Matthews, Case Western Reserve University, for research on Dental Hygienists’ Awareness and Support for Emerging Oral Health Personnel.
- 2nd Place: Migelle Paolo Orobia, University of California, San Francisco, for Repair of Carious Affected and Infected Dentin by Remineralization With PILP.
- 3rd Place: John Woodward, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, for Traces of Glandular Odontogenic Cysts in Dentigerous Cysts: A Clinicopathologic Analysis.
In the Basic & Translational Science Research category:
- 1st Place: Sarah Aitken, University of Minnesota, for Roles of Streptococcal AgI/II Adhesins in Early Oral Biofilm Formation.
- 2nd Place: Daniel Thomas Fleming, The Ohio State University, for Identification of ADAM10 Partner Proteins and Substrates During Enamel Formation.
- 3rd Place: Jonathan Banks, University of Illinois Chicago, for NG2/CSPG4 Modulates the Biomineralization of Mandibular Fracture Healing.
Driving Innovation Through Academic-Industry Collaboration
Since its inception in 1959 and its partnership with AADOCR in 2017, SCADA has evolved into a catalyst for research-driven learning and global professional engagement. With over 7,000 dental students from 39 countries having participated, the program builds a critical bridge between academia and the broader dental industry.
“We’re honored to support the SCADA competition and help shine a spotlight on the next generation of dental professionals and innovators,” said Prof. Dr. Rainer Seemann, Chief Clinical Officer at Dentsply Sirona. “We firmly believe that student-led research is a catalyst for future breakthroughs in oral healthcare. Congratulations to this year’s winners!”
Participants gain lifelong access to the SCADA Alumni Association, a network fostering professional growth through global connections among students, researchers, educators, and clinicians. Many alumni have progressed to leadership roles in academic, clinical, and corporate settings, reinforcing the long-term value of the initiative.
Strategic Commitment to Sustainability and Education
The SCADA program is also a pillar of Dentsply Sirona’s BEYOND: Taking Action for a Brighter World sustainability strategy. By investing in dental education, mentorship, and early-stage research, the company aims to drive lasting improvements in patient care and support the professional development of future innovators.
“On behalf of the American Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research, we congratulate this year’s winners and all who competed in the 2025 competition,” said Dr. Effie Iannidou, President of the AADOCR. “Support for SCADA and its commitment to fostering a culture of curiosity and scholarly excellence among our emerging dental professionals remains critical to advancing patient care and improving lives.”
Looking Ahead
As the dental industry continues to evolve amid growing public health demands and technological advancements, programs like SCADA are instrumental in nurturing the next wave of scientific inquiry and evidence-based care.
To explore more about the SCADA program and its impact on dental research and education, visit scadaresearch.org.