THE UNIVERSITY OF QUEENSLAND
SCHOOL OF DENTISTRY
RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES FOR
STUDENTS
The following statements have been compiled for the information of students who are
considering applying for
(i)
Honours program in Dentistry
(ii)
Bachelor of Dental Studies (BDentSt) degree
(iii)
Summer vacation scholarships
Research opportunities give hands-on experience in dental research, the opportunity to
present findings at research meetings and to contribute to research literature. This experience
is invaluable for postgraduate education in Dentistry.
VACATION RESEARCH SCHOLARSHIPS
Each year funds are available from a number of sources to support dental research by
undergraduate students in the December/February vacation. During the year grants
may be available from:
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



The Australian Dental Research Foundation
The Australian Society of Periodontology
The Australian Society of Endodontology (Qld Branch)
Dentsply
GC Corporation
Applications are invited annually for these undergraduate dental research
scholarships. Students will be provided with more information about applications at
this time.
Application forms are available from the Research Committee
(m.dallinger@uq.edu.au) and the School website. These scholarships are always
keenly sought after and so early application is suggested. Completed application forms
must be submitted to the Director of Research (email m.dallinger@uq.edu.au) by 30
JUNE EACH YEAR.
The following projects are available as either BDentSt, Honours programs or summer vacation
scholarships. Research facilities are available at the MacGregor Laboratories at St Lucia, the
Biomaterials Laboratory at Turbot Street, the UQ Centre for Clinical Research at Herston, or the
Prince Charles Hospital at Chermside. Research support staff are available for technical and
scientific advice and guidance in some areas.
The School’s research activity is centered on 3 key strategic research themes which form the
focus of its research efforts. These themes are:
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1)
2)
3)
Diagnosis and prevention of oral disease
Dental biomaterials and advanced technologies
Oral and systemic health interactions
These themes are embodied and undertaken in the form of Research Programs. Research
Programs are defined as large collaborative research projects, which typically are researched
by teams consisting of senior and junior academics, postdoctoral research fellows, and
Research Higher degree and Honours students. Each researcher investigates an aspect of a
larger problem with their insights contributing to the resolution of the larger problem under
the coordination and guidance of the research program leader. The research leader’s role in
formulating the research program, managing the team’s research, and drawing together the
threads of the answer are critical.
The School currently supports 5 Research Programs which include:
1. Paediatric Caries
2. Oral Cancer
3. Efficient Effective Endodontics
4. Applied Dental Biomaterials
5. Oral Inflammation and Atherosclerosis
It is expected that students will undertake their research in one of these research programs.
Students who are interested in obtaining more details about particular projects should speak
to the program leaders concerned.
Research Programs
1. Paediatric Caries Research Program
Program leader: Associate Professor W. Kim Seow
Program members:
Academic & Research Staff: Associate Professor Kim Seow, Dr Annetta Tsang, Dr Phil Bird
Queensland Health Dental Staff: Dr Trevor Holcombe, Dr Bruce Newman
External Academic Staff: Dr Diana Battistutta (Biostatistical epidemiologist, QUT), Dr Adrian
Barnett (Biostatistician, QUT)
Postgraduate students: Sonali Mistry (PhD), Kathryn Plonka (PhD), Margaret Pukallus (MPhil),
Wayne Kan (DClinDent), Sue Taji (DClinDent)
Program Summary:
The Paediatric Caries Research Program falls under the “Diagnosis & Prevention of Oral
Disease” research theme, and has a multi-focus approach to caries research. The research is
both clinical and laboratory-based including microbiological investigations. Studies examine
models of caries, diagnosis, prevention and management in children. Current research projects
examine the aetiology and risk factors for Early Childhood Caries, efficacies of intervention
programs and cost-benefits of prevention, and treatment strategies of caries in children.
The work of the group is undertaken at clinical facilities at Kingston and Logan, and supported
by facilities at the MacGregor laboratories at St Lucia. This program is funded by grants from
Queensland Health and the Australian Dental Research Foundation.
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2. Oral Cancer Research Program
Program leader: Dr Camile S Farah
Program members:
Academic & Research Staff: Dr Jodi Saunus (Postdoctoral Research Officer), Dr Terry Maybury
(Postdoctoral Research Officer), Ms Sarah Wagner (Research Assistant), Mr Anthony Chan
(Histology Technician)
Postgraduate students: Dr Ahmad Abdul Majeed (PhD), Dr Glenn Francis (PhD), Ms Sandra
Stein (PhD), Dr Tess Matias (PhD)
Honours students: Lidiya McIntosh, Kate Amos, Julijana Nikolovski, Nick Lynch
Program Summary:
The Oral Cancer Research Program falls under the “Diagnosis & Prevention of Oral Disease”
research theme, and leverages work regarding various bio-markers of oral cancer and oral
epithelial dysplasia which are either unique to the oral mucosal situation or shared across
malignancies in other sites. The program leverages a range of novel technologies, including
optical fluorescence imaging to be able to diagnose oral cancer at its earliest stages, thus
allowing early forms of treatment to be applied with maximal effect. The program is also
investigating the role that cancer stem cells play in the propagation and recurrence of
cancerous and pre-cancerous lesions. The underlying premise of this program looks at creating
a molecular signature for pre-cancerous conditions that can be used as a diagnostic test to
either replace or supplement standard histopathological interpretation of oral epithelial
dysplasia and oral squamous cell carcinoma. Furthermore, the program is interested in the role
that cytokines, particularly IL-12/IL-23, play in oral mucosal diseases and wound healing, and
their contribution to tissue damage through unregulated inflammation.
The program is also active in educational research, and leads a multi-disciplinary project
incorporating virtual microscopy and computer-assisted learning into UQ courses in dentistry,
veterinary science, biomedical science, and medicine. The specific outcome for this project is
to enhance the learning and teaching of microscopy across a wide range of disciplines, by
systematically implementing state-of-the-art virtual microscopy, a highly flexible, innovative
and dynamic learning tool, in conjunction with an interactive approach to learning designed to
maximise student engagement with this innovative technology.
The work of the group is undertaken at the newly established UQ Centre for Clinical Research
based at the Royal Brisbane & Women’s Hospital at Herston. This program is funded by grants
from the National Health & Medical Research Council, the Carrick Institute for Learning &
Teaching in Higher Education, and the Australian Dental Research Foundation.
3. Efficient Effective Endodontics Research Program
Program leader: Professor Laurie Walsh
Program members:
Academic & Research Staff: Dr Bill Kahler, Dr Phil Bird
Adjunct academic staff: Dr Basil Athanassiadis, Dr Ralph Reid
Members of the Brisbane Endodontic Research Group: Dr Roger Clarkson, Associate Professor
Alex Moule
Postgraduate students: Raghad Hmud (PhD), Roy George (PhD), Fardad Shakibaie (PhD),
Andrew Thomson (DClinDent), Quan Ho (DClinDent), Peter Case (DClinDent), and Edward
Houston (DClinDent).
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Program Summary:
The EEE (“Triple E”) research program falls within the “Dental Biomaterials and Advanced
Technologies” research theme of the School, and is focused on the goal of achieving quality
biological and mechanical outcomes in endodontic treatment, using improved methods and
novel technologies. The research spans a crown-to-apex approach and addresses the individual
phases of treatment, from diagnosis through to final obturation. Recent work has examined
the characteristics and performance of medicaments and root canal sealing materials. Current
research work in the EEE program is exploring improved irrigant technologies and the use of
pressure waves created by pulsed lasers to improve bacterial killing and smear layer removal in
the root canal system. Several papers from this group are in the 2008 volume of the Journal of
Endodontics. The group has substantial industry connections and has attracted substantial
support for major equipment.
Current research projects include the detection of bacterial biofilms in the root canal,
improved irrigation solutions and techniques, reactive oxygen technologies for root canal
disinfection, laser methods for biomechanical root canal preparation, enhanced endodontic
medicaments with antimicrobial properties, and long term stability of endodontic
medicaments and sealers.
The work of the group is undertaken primarily in the Biomaterials laboratory located at Turbot
St, and is supported by work in the microbiological facilities at the School’s MacGregor
laboratories and imaging facilities at the UQ Centre for Microscopy and Microanalysis, both of
which are situated on the St Lucia campus. This program is funded by grants from the
Australian Dental Research Foundation and the Australian Society for Endotontology.
4. Applied Dental Biomaterials Research Program
Program leader: Associate Professor Anne Symons
Program members:
Academic & Research Staff: Associate Professor Anne Symons, Professor Ian Meyers, Dr
Mehmet Okutan, Dr Helen Boocock, Dr Harry Akers, Dr Joe Smid, Dr Tim Gibbs, Mr Gary
Adolph, Mr Alan Roberts
Postgraduate students: Srinivas Varanasi (PhD)
Honours students: Michael Hurrell, Jana Currall, Emma Maloney, Elizabeth Lee, Elizabeth
Fisher, Zanelle Vorster, Adam Bradshaw
Program Summary:
The Applied Dental Biomaterials Research Program falls under the “Dental Biomaterials &
Advanced Technologies” research theme, and investigates the application of biomaterials and
technologies as related to clinical dentistry including advanced materials research, biomimetic
materials, polymer foams, osteogenesis and bone research. It integrates with existing research
strengths within the University, namely the Centre for High Performance Polymers (CHPP) and
Materials Engineering, at the Australian Institute for Bioengineering & Nanothecnology.
Current projects are investigating nano-filled resin-modified glass-ionomer cements for the
restoration of class V cavities, low shrinkage ring opening silorane polymer resin, interproximal
matrix systems for the placement of posterior composite resin restorations, and treatment
strategies for the control of dentinal hypersensitivity. In addition the program is also
interested in the design and development of Electropalatographs (EPGs) for patients with
speech disorders. Laboratory studies are focused on bone healing following surgical defects,
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enhancement of bone healing using polymer foams, and the role of anti-inflammatory,
angiogenic, and growth factors during bone healing.
The work of the group is undertaken in the Biomaterials Laboratory at the School’s Turbot St
site, and supported by facilities at the MacGregor laboratories at St Lucia. This program is
funded by a Smart State Grant, and the Australian Dental Research Foundation.
5. Oral Inflammation and Atherosclerosis Research Program
Program leader: Dr Pauline Ford
Postgraduate students: Shaneen Leishman (PhD), Sven Bohnstedt (DClinDent)
Honours students: Sam Rose-Hill
Program Summary:
The Oral Inflammation and Atherosclerosis Research Program falls under the “Oral & Systemic
Health Interactions” research theme, and provides a platform to demonstrate the contribution
of oral infection and inflammation to cardiovascular disease in human patients and using an
animal model. Currently, the mechanisms to explain the relationship between oral infection
and inflammation are being investigated. Studies using the apolipoprotein E deficient mouse
model are providing support for the atherogenic role of anti-heat shock protein immune
responses following exposure to the periodontopathogen, Porphyromonas gingivalis. Analysis
of samples from large longitudinal human studies of cardiovascular and at risk patients is being
performed to characterize the antibody response to host and P. gingivalis heat shock proteins
and also to a panel of P. gingivalis strains. Periodontal disease leads to systemic inflammation
and this appears to be an additional mechanism for atherogenesis. The effect of an
improvement in periodontal health on systemic inflammation is being determined in
cardiovascular and at risk patients. Additional studies are examining changes in the peripheral
blood transcriptome during the development and resolution of experimental gingivitis.
The work of the group is undertaken at the research laboratories of the Princess Charles
Hospital at Chermside, and supported by facilities at the MacGregor laboratories at St Lucia.
This program is funded by grants from the Australian Dental Research Foundation.
Last updated 27/05/08
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