Untitled Document

PRESS RELEASE
Wednesday, February 13, 2007

USC SCHOOL OF DENTISTRY STUDENTS AND FACULTY DEMONSTRATE INNOVATION, IMAGINATION AND DISCOVERY AS PART OF THE SECOND ANNUAL RESEARCH DAY

Student Inventions and Research Fuel Southern California Research and Development

(Los Angeles, CA)— More than 100 students and faculty from the USC School of Dentistry turned innovation, imagination and discovery into money-making ideas and lifesaving opportunities that were showcased as part of the 2nd Annual USC School of Dentistry Research Day.

“We are bringing together a very creative and intelligent group that is paving the way for increased collaborations within the University, the private and public sector," says Dennis Mangan, USC School of Dentistry Associate Dean of Innovation and Discovery. “The day gives us a wonderful opportunity to see how basic and clinical research integrates well into the practice of dentistry, physical therapy and occupational therapy in the clinics."

Ron Nguyen, a third year DDS student, tinkered in his own garage before developing the prototype for the Feather Light LED Headlight, which is now competing with products sold by larger more established companies. “Other companies don’t design with dentists in mind,” Nguyen says. “Their lights are very big and heavy.”

Research Day participants are demonstrating that the dental profession is no longer just about drilling and filling.

According to Mangan, “The students have expressed many emotions related to Research Day: excitement in presenting their research for competition, some fear about being judged, a bit of frustration at trying to figure out how to put months of work into a brief presentation but most of all a sense of honor and pride in representing their advisor’s laboratory.”

The USC School of Dentistry has a long history of including research in its mission along with education, service and leadership. On Research Day, the school honors the students, residents, research associates, and faculty who have worked hard to advance the biomedical sciences.

Judges from The USC Stevens Institute for Innovation provided participants with the feedback they need to advance their creative thinking and research in order to provide maximum societal impact and playing a more significant role in research advancements in Southern California. Universities are aggressively notching up research advancement. Collectively, USC, Caltech and UCLA bring in more than $1.6 billion in R & D funds each year.

More than 30 cash awards were presented this year, including the new USC Stevens Most Innovative Award. In addition, some winners received travel awards to represent the School of Dentistry at national and international meetings.

###