The strategic plan of our university includes three major initiatives: (1) learner-centered education, (2) globalization and (3) research of significance to the larger society.  Last year USC faculty and their research students generated $330 million dollars of federally sponsored research with approximately $128 million coming from the National Institutes of Health.  Of the 421 NIH grants, the schools of medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, engineering and the College of Letters, Arts and Sciences received 95 percent.

In February we celebrated our creative and inventive students who have been and continue to be involved in research.  Here at USC there are enormous opportunities for students to participate in basic, translational, clinical and health outcomes research, as well as research that addresses health promotion, risk assessment and disease prevention. 

This year John Jerome, president of our Student Research Group (SRG)—an affiliate of the American Association for Dental Research (AADR)—and John's leadership team in consultation with professor Mal Snead, associate dean for innovation and discovery, sponsored the Annual Student Research Day on February 25. 

Students presented scientific poster sessions beginning in the late-morning and into the afternoon.  In addition, we were most fortunate to have Yang Chai, chair of the Division of Craniofacial Sciences and Therapeutics, deliver the keynote address entitled "Fine Tuning Craniofacial Development."  At the day's end, select faculty huddled together to determine the best student poster presentations in two categories.  The winners were: 

Basic Science Award:

First place: Rita Chuang - “Understanding the Genetic Basis of High-Grade Oral Spindle Cell Carcinoma"

Second Place: Vivian Wei - “Immortomouse-derived Periodontal Ligament Cell Lines Response to Growth Factors” 

Clinical Science Award:

First Place: Hideki Ikeda - “Biomechanical Study of Modified Hawley Appliances”

Second Place:  Shirley Jun Kang - “Tissue Engineering for Periodontium Regeneration Using Hertwig’s Epithelial Root Sheath (HERS) Cells Maintained in Vitro”

Congratulations to these very talented students and their faculty mentors.  Many of these scientific studies will also be presented in Orlando at the AADR/ADEA Annual Meeting and Exhibition March 8-11. 

For students interested but not yet involved in research, please contact one of your newly elected Student Research Group officers which include president-elect Joseph Field, vice president-elect Rita Chuang, and secretary-elect George Abichaker.  Please join me in congratulating John Jerome, his student colleagues and Mal Snead for this special opportunity at the USC School of Dentistry.

A major goal of our university is to increase translational and clinical research and engage multiple disciplines working on complex problems. Translational research means the translation of laboratory findings into clinical investigations and the transfer of clinical observations to the laboratory. With this in mind, almost one year ago, the NIH offered an RFA opportunity for scientists around the world to submit competitive planning grants to design approaches to regenerate teeth—so-called "regenerative medicine." 

There were many grant applications including one led by our very own Mal Snead and his team of international experts representing multiple disciplines including bioengineering, molecular biology, experimental embryology, mathematic modeling, clinical dentistry and strategic planning. 

The NIH recently awarded six planning grants with one to Mal Snead and his team.  During the coming year Mal and his team will design their major grant application and compete for multi-million dollar support for a Clinical Center of Excellence based at the USC School of Dentistry.  We wish Mal and his team the very best as they engage in their critical planning process.

Another very special advance is the initiation of the Dean's Leadership Program.  This 11-week course running from late January through April covers a number of critical topics and skills related to leadership and management within the university environment.  Lisa Lawrence directs the course, and members of our faculty complement her.  Faculty, staff and student participants gather every Tuesday for a light supper and an exciting evening of lecture and discourse.  If you are not among the current participants, the next course offering will be held in the Fall 2006.  The outline for this course is as follows:

Session 1: Leadership Definition

• Dean’s “Kick-off” … Leadership Expectations
• Discuss definitions of leadership and varying styles of leadership
• Review USC School of Dentistry leadership model, USC Strategic Plan, USCSD vision and Strategic Plan
• Discuss leadership styles within the USCSD … what works best?

Session 2: Communication

• Different communication styles and listening as a leader
• Communication for effectiveness:  the power of intent
• Giving and receiving behaviorally specific feedback

Session 3:  People Management

• Creating a team and leading people
• Effective delegation and follow-up
• Getting work done with help from others … selecting the right skills

Session 4:  Building Coalitions & Conflict Management

• Developing relationships with a university focus
• Supporting the USCSD vision and the USC Strategic Plan
• Conflict resolution models and skills required for effective conflict resolution

Session 5:  Fiscal/Budget Management

• Managing your portion of the USCSD budget
• Reports and tools

Session 6:  Creating an Environment of Trust and Integrity

• Setting a personal example
• Zero tolerance for unacceptable behavior
• Rewarding appropriate behavior
• Celebrating success and fostering trust

Session 7:  Driving for Results

• Setting realistic goals for achievement
• Holding yourself and others accountable
• Monitoring progress and celebrating success

Session 8:  Grant Writing and Research

• Elements of effective grant writing
• Timeline and resources
• Others who can help

Session 9:  Managing Change

• Models and principles for effectively navigating change

Session 10:  Next Steps …

• Identifying opportunities for ongoing personal development
• Identifying opportunities to develop others, coaching and mentoring

Capstone Session

• Graduation!

Please look for announcements on the Web site and through our internal e-mail distribution for the call for applications.

Another opportunity is a new continuing education course entitled "Leadership and Management for the Dental Professional" offered in collaboration with the Marshall School of Business.  This seven-month, weekend course offering (Fridays and Saturdays) begins in the fall 2006 and will result in an executive certificate for the participants. 

Due to the interactive nature of the course design, this CE course will be limited to a modest number of learners.  Faculty from the Marshall School include Tom Cummings, Sriram Dasu, Merle Hopkins, David Logan, Rex Kovacevich and Kyle Mayer. Faculty from the dental school include Calvin Lau, Baldwin Marchack and Mike Mulvehill with additional invited speakers from the dental private practice and industry sectors. 

The major topics to be covered include foundations of business, effective management operations, strategic planning and growth, and "putting it all together."  Registration for this course can be accomplished online at www.uscdentalce.org.  This course provides 97 CE units.

Meanwhile, January through April is our time for faculty and staff evaluations, student evaluations and leadership evaluations.  It is also the time for the planning and budget processes that become translated into the budget for the 2006-07 fiscal year.  This is the time that we reflect on what was and consider what could be.  This is the time that we reflect on "return on investment" and how to best position the School of Dentistry within our parent university as well as in competition with dental schools around the world. Finally, March is the month of my birthday, and that is always a moment to pause and take stock.