2024 Award Winners
2024 marked the 26th annual Excellence Day. We were very pleased to hold the event in-person this year, allowing participants to interact directly with judges and their peers.
95 presentations from students and residents were submitted to a variety of award categories this year, representing the breadth of clinical achievements, research, educational projects, scholarship, multidisciplinary collaboration and dedication to serving broader communities that characterizes a Dugoni “Head, Heart, Hands” education.
The OKU-Sutro Excellence Day Committee recognizes the following 2024 awardees.
Clinical — CAD/CAM, Clinical — Endodontics, & Clinical — Removeable Prosthodontics
OKU CAD/CAM Award — 1st Place
Smile Restoration
Author(s): Cameron Goodin
Mentors: Dr. Sandy McLaren, Dr. Karen Schulze, & Carlos Correa
OKU Endodontics Award — 1st Place
Learning How to Overcome Challenges in Endodontic Treatment: Large and Curved Canals
Author(s): Rachel Healy, DDS 2024
Mentors: NA
OKU Endodontics Award — 2nd Place
Demystifying Cracked-Tooth Syndrome: An Evidence-Based Approach to Diagnosis and Treatment Planning
Author(s): Siavash Ghardiri Zahrani, DDS 2024
Mentors: Dr. Samer M. Ebeid, Dr. Prasanna Neelakantan, Dr. Craig Dunlap, Dr. Mark Stevenson, Dr. Gordon Lai, Dr. Michael Pham, Dr. Alan Gluskin, Dr. Adham A. Azim, Dr. Sarah Nash, Dr. Keith V. Krell, Dr. Domenico Ricucci, Dr. Karen Schulze, Dr. Foroud Hakim, & Dr. Florence Ngo
OKU Removable Prosthodontics Award — 1st Place
Restoration of Oral Function in Severe Tooth Erosion Arising from Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD): A Clinical Case Study
Author(s): Xinyue (Cinny) Ma, DDS 2024
Mentors: NA
Clinical — Implant Dentistry & Residents – AEGD
OKU Implant Dentistry Award — 1st Place
Overcoming Challenges: Management of Dental Implants in the Aesthetic Zone
Author(s): Blake Matthew Giuliani, DDS 2024
Mentors: Dr. Sadowsky, Dr. Gonzalez, Dr. Tina Cun, DDS 23; Dr. Ian Fuller, DDS 22
OKU Implant Dentistry Award — 2nd Place
Attempting Heroics: Restoring Buccally Angulated Implants
Author(s): Ryan Mackenzie Leong, DDS 2024
Mentors: Dr. Sadowsky
Residents AEGD Award — 1st Place
Perio-Pros Interdisciplinary Smile Reconstruction Case Report
Author(s): Katherine K. Chen, AEGD 2024
Mentors: Dr. Wong, Dr. Woo, & Dr. Huynh
Residents AEGD Award — 2nd Place
Endosseous Implant Placement in the Le Fort I Maxilla
Author(s): Kathleen Phan, AEGD 2024
Mentors: Dr. Wong, Dr. Woo, Dr. Beckley, & Dr. Lee
Clinical — Restorative (Direct/Indirect)
Restorative (Direct/Indirect) — 1st Place
Restoring a Smile: Functional and Esthetic Full Mouth Rehabilitation
Author(s): Rachel Kyung Eun Min, DDS 2024
Mentors: Dr. Wakeel, Dr. Nguyen, Dr. Ganesh, Dr. Pineda, Dr. Ali, Dr. Tiller, Dr. Hakim, Dr. Chang, Dr. Lai, Dr. On, Dr. Sadowsky, Dr. Tran, and Carlos Correa
OKU Restorative (Direct/Indirect) — 2nd Place
Aesthetic & Functional Oral Rehabilitation: A Multi-Disciplinary Case involving Periodontics, Orthodontics, Implants, Veneers, and Crowns
Author(s): Siavash Ghadiri Zahrani, DDS 2024
Mentors: Dr. Foroud Hakim, Dr. Karen Schulze, Dr. Gene Santucci, Dr. Sandra McLaren, Dr. Edmond Bedrossian, Dr. Steven Sadowsky, Dr. Hussein Al-Wakeel, Dr. Chi Tran, Dr. Gary Grill, Carlos Correa, and Alfredo Riley
Research 1
Hinman Symposium Research Award
Assessing Knowledge of Cleft Lip and Palate Among Dental Students at the University of Pacific Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry
Author(s): Niki Panahi Zadeh, DDS 2026
Mentors: Dr. Marie M. Tolarova, and Dr. Miroslav Tolar
AADR Annual Meeting Award
Advancements in Nasal Cavity Characerization: An Innovative Approach Using CBCT Imaging
Author(s): Nicolette Alvandian, DDS 2025
Mentors: Dr. Jesse Manton, Dr. David Lam, Dr. Heesoo Oh, and Dr. Jonas Bianchi
Dugoni Basic Sciences Award
The Antimicrobial Mechanisms of Boswellia serrata extract in P. gingivalis infected gingival epithelial cells
Author(s): Mahsa Asgari, DDS 2025; Vincent Duarte, DDS 2025
Mentors: Dr. Adrien Stroumza, Dr. David Vang, Dr. Homer Asadi, Dr. David M Ojcius, Dr. Cassio Almeida-da-Silva, and Dr. Aline Moreira-Souza
Dugoni Clinical Sciences Award
Growth Prediction Using Artificial Intelligence
Author(s): Yoonsun (Sunny) Jang, IDS 2025; Shaila Patel, DDS 2025; Jeffrey Steven Roseth, Ortho 2024
Mentors: Dr. Heesoo Oh and Dr. Heeyeon Suh
OKU Senior Excellence Award
Folate Pharmacology and Metabolism with Focus on MTHFR and RFC-1 in Orofacial Clefts
Author(s): Tyler Reed Starley, DDS 2024
Mentors: Dr. Tolarova and Dr. Tolar
Research 2
Hinman Symposium Research Award
Three-Dimensional Condylar Changes in the Surgery First Approach: A Comparison of Fixed Orthodontics vs. Invisalign Therapy
Author(s): Brendon Lowder DDS 2026; Ava Vakili, ORTHO 2024
Mentors: NA
AADR Annual Meeting Award
The Relationship Between Salivary Statherin and Hemoglobin A1c Levels in the Dental Setting with Regards to Oral Health
Author(s): Mary Quilici, DDS 2025; Mariaym Siddiqui, DDS 2025
Mentors: Dr. Jesse Manton, Dr. David Lam, Dr. Heesoo Oh, and Dr. Jonas Bianchi
Dugoni Basic Sciences Award
Cross-Tissue Analysis Demonstrates Oral and Systemic Link in Chronic Periodontitis
Author(s): Alice Lin, DDS 2026; Nicole Thompson, DDS 2026
Mentors: Jacob Einhaus, Amy S. Tsai, Thomas A. Bonham, Edward A. Ganio, Kazou Ando, William Choi, Karl C. Bruckman, David Ojcius, Dyani Gaudilliere, Brice Gaudilliere
Dugoni Clinical Sciences Award
Growth Prediction Using Artificial Intelligence
Author(s): Brianna Wolfe, DDS 2025; Kimberly Lozano, DDS 2025; Adriane Tran, DDS 2025; Esha Patel, DDS, Ortho 2024
Mentors: Dr. Vineet Khehra, Dr. Heeyeon Suh, Dr. James Chen, and Dr. Heesoo Oh
OKU Senior Excellence Award
Frankincense (Boswellia serrata) Extract Effects on Growth and Biofilm Formation of Porphyromonas gingivalis, and Its Intracellular Infection in Human Gingival Epithelial Cells
Author(s): Nicholas Taylor Zusman, DDS 2024
Mentors: David Vang, Aline Cristina Abreu Moreira-Souza, German Moncada, Harmony Matshik Dakafay, Homer Asadi, David M. Ojcius, and Cassio Luiz Coutinho Almeida-da-Silva
OKU Community Health Service & Leadership
OKU Community Health Leadership & Innovation Award — 1st Place
Dugoni Medical Emergency Response Team
Author(s): Alia Jinan Rubaie, DDS 2024; Kevin Ross Adams, DDS 2024; Alini Vargas Agnes, DDS 2024
Mentors: Dr. Jesse West Manton
OKU Community Health Leadership & Innovation Award — 2nd Place
Student Community Outreach for Public Education (SCOPE): Senior Smiles and Welness Event 2023
Author(s): Katie Theresa Hagan, DDS 2024; Serena Thien-Y Ly, DDS 2024
Mentors: Dr. Miller
OKU Community Health Service Award — 1st Place
Sonrisas (Smiles) for Guatemala: Reestablishment of an Outreach Initiative Post-COVID
Author(s): Kayla J. Hunt, DDS 2024; Haley Hwajeong Kim, DDS 2024
Mentors: NA
OKU Community Health Service Award — 2nd Place
Guatemala Global Service Trip Reaching the Community of Xenocoj
Author(s): Ruth Rauca, DDS 2025; Jane Yu, DDS 2025
Mentors: Micheal Le , Carli Casey, Dr. Rodrigo, Dr. Aouse Khalil, Dr. Mark Stevenson, Dr. Aniket Dhamorikar, Dr. Eric Crum
PIP: Community Health Service & Health Promotion
Personalized Instructional Program Community Health Service and Health Promotion Award — 1st Place
Indio Trip: California Careforce
Author(s): P. Joseph Perez, DDS 2024; Shiv Chirag Patel, DDS 2024
Mentors: Dr. Ned Nix, Prof. Eve Cuny, Dr. Peter Scheer, Dr. Brian Diep, and Dr. David K. Lam
Personalized Instructional Program Community Health Service and Health Promotion Award — 2nd Place
Give Kids A Smile Volunteer Event
Author(s): Sarah Keiko Hatsue Takahashi, DDS 2024; Taylor R. O’Reilly, DDS 2024
Mentors: NA
PIP: Bench or Clinical Research
Personalized Instructional Program Bench/Clinical Research Award — 1st Place
The Effects of Frankincense on Pathogenic Bacteria in the Oral Microbiome
Author(s): Leo Lu, DDS 2024; Parker Smith, DDS 2025; Brendon Lowder, DDS 2026; Arick Christopher, DDS 2026; Daniel Pang, DDS 2026 Daniel Covarrubias, DDS 2026; Tyler West, DDS 2026; Easton Ellis, DDS 2026
Mentors: David Vang
Personalized Instructional Program Bench/Clinical Research Award — 2nd Place
Management of Pain in Orthodontics
Author(s): Brianna Wolfe, DDS 2025; Gregory Pavlos, Ortho 2025
Mentors: Dr. Marie N Tolarova and Dr. Mirek Tolar
Personalized Instructional Program Bench/Clinical Research Award — 2nd Place
Exploring the Relationship Between Human Anatomy Education and Its Impact on Body Appreciation and Self-esteem Among Students
Author(s): Tyler Reed Starley, DDS 2024; Harrison Truman, DDS 2024
Mentors: Dr. Rachel Novak, Dr. Homer Asadi, and Dr. Nick Forooghi
Dental Hygiene Research Award
Exploring the Potential of Periodontitis Vaccines: A Comprehensive Review and Analysis
Author(s): Jenny Choi, DH 2024; Lena Thien Nguyen, DH 2024
Mentors: NA
PIP: Teaching Material Creation
Personalized Instructional Program Teaching Material Creation Award — 1st Place
New Beginnings: Launching a Program to Empower and Diversify the Nest Generation of Pre-Dental Students
Author(s): Brianna Wolfe, DDS 2025; Samantha Rovno, DDS 2205; Owen Tobias Chan, DDS 2024
Mentors: NA
Personalized Instructional Program Teaching Material Creation Award — 2nd Place
Post Operative Instructions Resource
Author(s): Guneet Kaur Gill, DDS 2024; Gurleen Gill, DDS 2025
Mentors: Dr. Parvati Iyer, Dr. Aneet Randhawa, Dr. Gary Grill, and Dr. Steve Curtis
IDS: First Year Literature Review
First Year IDS Literature Review Award — 1st Place
The Evolution of Composite as a Direct Restorative Material; “A Journey Through Innovation”
Author(s): Nazgol Zamanian, IDS 2025; Madiha Fatima, IDS 2025; Niyousha Rafeie, IDS 2025
Mentors: Dr. Ganesh
First Year IDS Literature Review Award — 2nd Place
A Shifting Paradigm in Dental Education: Embracing Prevention Over Intervention for Dental Caries Management
Author(s): Neekita Saudagar, IDS 2025; Karan Bajwa, IDS 2025; Mandip Kaur, IDS 2025
Mentors: Dr. Pansoy, Dr. Priya P., Dr. Ganesh, Dr. Milani, Dr. Aniket D., Dr. Noor, Dr. Pineda
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:
Special thanks to…
Dean Nader Nadershahi for his leadership and support of the Dugoni School academic community represented at this event.
Omicron Kappa Upsilon (OKU), Dugoni School Chapter; The Henry A. Sutro Endowment; the Dugoni School Annual Fund; California Dental Arts; Ultradent; and Vakker for their generous support of this annual event.
Keynote Speaker Dr. Ina Stelzer, PhD for sharing her expertise as our OKU Sutro Excellence Day keynote speaker.
All student and resident presenters for showcasing their excellent work.
2024 Faculty and Guest Judges, including Drs.: Fadi Najem, Celia Zhang, Jiong Hu, Gabriella Musacchia, Nilou Nadershahi, Patrick Pansoy, Craig Dunlap, Shika Gupta, Gitta Radjaeipour, Maria Fonseca, Gordon Lai, Karen Schulze, Jane Wang, Steven Curtis, Debra Woo, Mary Turoff, Eugene Santucci, Laura Reid, Mark Stevenson, Ned Nix, Parvati Iyer, Homer Asadi, Marie Tolarova, Trang Nguyen, Prasanna Neelakantan, Bernadette Alvear Fa, Sherry Steinmetz, Sandra McLaren, Terry Hoover, Noëlle Santucci, Gary Grill, Xiaoyuan Han, Andrew Young, Nejat Duzgunes, Cassio Silva, Miroslav Tolar, Patrick Roetzer, Priya Prasannakumar, Aouse Khalil, Gina Chann, Dave Lam, Desmond Ng, Mark Vaughan, Jonas Bianchi, Heeyeon Suh, and Carlos Correa, CDT
OKU Sutro Excellence Day Planning Committee 2023-2024, including:
Chair: Dr. David Ojcius
Faculty: Prof. Eve Cuny, Dr. Des Gallagher, Dr. Terry Hoover, Dr. Fadi Najem, Prof. Lory Laughter, Prof. Christine Miller, Dr. Debra Woo, Dr. Andrew Young, Dr. Rebecca Moazzez, Dr. Mark Vaughan, Karita Zimmerman
Staff: Joanna Faltys, Karl Pfeifer, Sharon Bura
The Audiology program at Pacific’s School of Health Sciences for their participation and collaboration.
Additional staff support, including: Katherine Falk, Emma Hopson, Adrianna Giannini, Jen Paz, Adrian Hernandez, Cindy Mar, Bonita Wong, Sharon Bura, Jesse Clerici, Eric Bertumen, Lori Hui, Carol Weinstein, Malou Ruperto-Thompson, Building Operations, and Design & Photo