U of M Dentistry Student Research Group

What is the SRG & why should I join?

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In general, the SRG is a group of dental students that participate in research on the local, regional, and/or national level. The group is run by students and was created in order to generate a space or forum for student interaction and communication in the area of oral health research.

During the fall, the group is introduced to the first-year students in order to provide information about the aspects of research available at the University of Manitoba. This year we are going to sponsor “lunch and learn” seminars where students and faculty members will present some of their recent project findings (in an informal manner). This allows SRG members the opportunity to learn and ask questions about the research process.

The group also has semi-quarterly meetings designed to: update members and faculty on local, regional, and national research interests; provide workshops, by guest speakers, who will cover specific areas of research related careers, graduate programs, and funding opportunities; fundraising activities, and various social functions.

Additionally, the SRG participates in the annual Student Research Day that includes presentation of research projects and student research competition.

Photo Gallery

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SRG Members

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President: Michael Greene

Coordinators: Leslie Dalton, Tiffany Cheung, Justin Highmoor, Jackie Samborski, Tom Janaway, Megan Mcfadden, Phong Luong

From Class of 2010:

Name: Alex Witzke
Human platelet activation by porphyromonas gingivalis and streptococcus sanguis
Mentor: Dr. A. McNicol

Name: Angela Kehler
Project: Shear bond strength of resin cement to treated dentin surfaces
Mentor: Dr. Tammy Bonstein

Name: Atul Pruthi
Mentor: Dr. A. Karim

Name: Bryanne Hildebrandt
Project: What effect does having dental insurance coverage, when compared to having no insurance coverage, have on a patient's degree of awareness and interest in the dental care they receive?
Mentor: Dr. Doug Brothwell

Name: Elham Tayefi

Name: Evan Ayers
Project: Métis oral health survey 2009
Mentor: Dr. Doug Brothwell
Testimonial: "Doing reserach has opened my eyes into a new world where I have experienced that challenges and rewards of working in the public health sector of dentistry."

Name: Geoffrey Shaffer
Project: Stress and coping strategies of dental students: an assessment of the dentistry program, University of Manitoba
Mentor: Dr. Dieter Schonwetter
Testimonial: " Research has been a challenging and intellectual way to spend my summer. I enjoyed the learning process that went into my paper."

Name: Hangameh Akhlaghi

Name: Igal Margolin
Project: The role of Manitoba dentists' in promoting children's oral health
Mentor: Dr. Charles Lekic

Name: Nichole Nayak

Name: Philip Kim
Project: Impact of Externship on Dentistry Students’ Learning Experiences
Mentors: Dr. Dieter Schonwetter, Dr. Igor Pesun, Dr. Doug Brothwell, Dr.Hubert Benitez, Prof. Laura MacDonald

Name: Samer Mudher

Name: Sherif Elsaraj
Mentor: Dr. R. Bhullar

Name: Smaranda Danescu

Name: Stephanie Gavard
Project: The incidence of dental disease in special needs populations
Mentor: Dr. Doug Brothwell

Name: Tracy Kolson
Project:Impact of Externship on Dentistry Students’ Learning Experiences
Mentors: Dr. Dieter Schonwetter, Dr. Igor Pesun, Dr. Doug Brothwell, Dr.Hubert Benitez, Prof. Laura MacDonald

Name: Yachna Dua

From Class of 2011:

Name: Adam Agpalza
Project: Plasma factors associated with P. gingivalis-induced platelet activation
Mentor: Dr. A. McNicol

Name: Carol Lee
Project: Barriers to accessing dental care and oral health impacts of the homeless in Winnipeg
Mentors: Dr. Tana Gilmartin & Dr. Tammy Bonstein

Name: Elena Ferrer
Project: Survey of clinical errors occurring in an undergraduate dental program
Mentors: Dr. V. Swain & Dr. N. Boorberg
Testimonial: " Research has opened up my eyes to its importance withing dentistry. In participating in a dental research project, I feel that I have learned something valuable for many years to come."

Name: Jordan Pang
Project: A review of pediatric dental surgery in Manitoba: a look at 10 years of administrative data
Mentor: Dr. Bob Schroth

Name: Kevin Vong
Project: Mineral Trioxide Aggregate (MTA) crystallization under the influence of human blood
Mentor: Dr. Tammy Bonstein
Testimonial: " Research has given me the opportunity to learn from several professors of different scientific backgrounds (dental materials, cell biology, geologial science). It has also give me a free trip to Miami :)."

Name: Kunit Nagra
Project: The effective use of pit and fissure sealants as a preventative measures
Mentor: Dr. Charles Lekic
Testimonial: " I've had a great experience thus far doing research. This project is my first research project throughout my education career. I look forward to finishing it next year. I am looking to present my project in the fall of 2010."

Name: Leslie Dalton

Name: Mark Dolyniuk
Project: Characterization of subcellar fractions of isolated lung cells by FTIR and Raman spectroscopy
Mentors: Dr. E. Scott, Dr. A. Shaw & Dr. L.-P. Choo-Smith
Testimonial: "Performing research on this topic has been both challenging and rewarding. I've learned a lot of techniques I was not previously familiar with, as well has developed some of my own when needed. It was very rewarding to take part in developing techniques that produced results."

Name: Michael Greene
Mentor: Dr. Tammy Bonstein

Name: Nathan Jeal
Project: The Relationship between Early Childhood Caries (ECC) and Vitamin D
Mentor: Dr. Bob Schroth
Testimonial: "Participation in the BSc. (Dent) program has afforded me the opportunity to build on my dental school experience through interactions with talented researchers within our faculty and at conferences. As part of the process I have developed an appreciation of the planning and diligence required to conduct and publish novel research."

Name: Nirvani Umadat
Project: Effect of varying hydration states on natural tooth shade
Mentor: Dr. Tammy Bonstein

Name: Robert Ward
Project: Patient perceptions and satisfaction with Invisalign treatment: a multi-centre study
Mentor: Dr. W. A. Wiltshire
Testimonial: " I have been very fortunate to be a part of the Bsc. DENT program.
I have been given the opportunity to investigate a topic of interest
and attend conferences which are both educationally enriching and
socially enjoyable. Bsc. DENT research also provides a means of
summer employment that is relevant to my career choice. This alone
makes the program invaluable."

Name: Stephen Michaluk
Project: A comparative spectrophotometric analysis of composite resins shades
Mentor: Dr. Tammy Bonstein

Name: Tiffany Cheung
Project: Analysis of dental materials following incineration conditions
Mentor: Dr. Tammy Bonstein
Testimonial: " Research allows me to think dentistry in a different perspective: more scientific and evidence-based. This will be important when I graduate and become surrounded by a sea of new technology and advertisement."

From Class of 2012:

Name: Dan Kim
Project: Fast splint denture reinforcement
Mentor: Dr. Igor Pesun
Testimonial: " Designing the experiment for the first time was time consuming and difficult but I learned quite a bit from it. My research is still in the beginning stage but hopefully I'll get the opportunity to present my findings by next summer."

Name: Jackie Samborski
Project: Microleakage of porcelain and composite CEREC crowns cemented with a self-adhesive cement
Mentor: Dr. R. Roperto
Testimonial: " So far the research I have begun is both challenging and rewarding. I am still in the process of working on my project, but once the results are all tabluated and I get a chance to see the significance of the hard work I have put in, I'm sure I will feel very proud of the work I accomplished!"

Name: Justin Highmoor

Name: Megan McFadden
Project: Muscular activity and its assocation with bite problems and temporomandibular joint noises in children from 8 to 12-years-old
Mentor: Dr. German Ramirez
Testimonial: " Doing research during the summer was a rewarding experience. I was able to apply concepts and techniques from first-year course work in a practical setting. I also gained patient communication skills that will help me in the upcoming years."

Name: Phong Luong
Mentors: Dr. J. Elliott Scott & Dr. Nogeira

Name: Tom Janaway
Mentor: Dr. W. Wiltshire
Testimonial: " Research has been a challenge for me as I have never done it before. However I am enjoying the challenge. This is my first summer doing research and I am still in the initial stages."

Name: Wisam Helewa
Project: Pulmonary Surfactant Function After Exposure to Tobacco Smoke, its Components or Metabolites
Mentor: Dr. J. E. Scott
Testimonial: "My research experience has been a wonderful way to spend some time during the summer. It has given me a real world understanding of how medical and scientific discoveries are made. I have also gained an appreciation for how powerful and important the scientific method is. "

Name: William Yeung
Project: Influence of irritant volume and irrigation technique on smear layer removal of curved canals
Mentor: Dr. Isabel Mello
Testimonial: "The research experience has been of utmost value as I have pre-exposure to endodontic treatment on teeth specimen. Having the opportunity to use rotary instruments prior to 3rd year is of exceptional value and has provided me with the opportunity to gain a tremendous amount of experience and understanding in this area."

Faculty Advisors

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Dr. Tammy Bonstein

Welcome to The Student Research Group (SRG) at the University of Manitoba Faculty of Dentistry

By browsing through the SRG website you just made your first step in a new direction within the dental field. The SRG is a new and exiting student-operated group we are promoting at the University of Manitoba Faculty of Dentistry and School of Dental Hygiene.

The group has many goals however its main goal is to promote oral health research and aid students who are involved in research. Thus provide the general public with dentists that are not only excellent clinicians, but knowledgeable scientists as well. In order to do so the SRG is designed to support you, train you, and guide you while you progress with your research project. The group operates as a team and the team main philosophy is communication in order to progress together meaning sharing information so all members can grow from the knowledge acquired by individual members of the team. Providing information to all who are interested will promote knowledge dissemination, and will develop further brainstorming and collaborations.

Most of you are not sure of what your professional goals may be at this point however, by joining the SRG, thinking out of the box and being exposed to the knowledge transferred during the SRG meetings and its networking will provide you with new exiting professional opportunities and open new doors that you were not aware of. You will learn how research can be fun, the different research programs/opportunities available to you, how you can get started and how you can advance. In general by joining the SRG you will find out what are the benefits of participating in dental research.

Your choice to attend and join the SRG will demonstrate how dedicated you are to your profession and to improving the quality of dental healthcare. A dedication that will be a rewarding experience and will add immeasurably to the excitement of your dental education. A dedication that will be noticed and well valued by your colleagues, respected and encouraged by your faculty members and appreciated by your patients.

Hopefully, some of you will continue to be biomedical researchers and/or educators sensitive to the clinical objectives that will advance dental care and dentistry as a profession. Remember, the SRG is here to serve you as you begin your student research career.

Please do not hesitate to contact me at t_bonstein@umanitoba.ca or any of your SRG officers for assistance.

As the SRG Faculty Advisor
I wish you best of luck in all you do!

Dr. Tammy Bonstein
SRG Faculty Advisor

Dr. German Ramirez

About the Faculty Advisor

The faculty advisor supports and mentors the SRG leaders and is critical to the long-term success of the SRG.

The faculty advisor of a Student Research Group has the following roles:

To provide continuity of the SRG during the steady turnover of student leadership and membership through the years. Therefore, the faculty advisor plays a key role in maintaining the group’s steady momentum.
To provide a link to the administration and other faculty. While students typically interact well with administration and faculty, occasionally the faculty advisor can play an important role in communicating concerns, objectives, or needs to both sides.
To develop and mentor student leadership.
To encourage active faculty support. Faculty support and assistance are an integral part of the ultimate success of the SRG and its objectives.
To serve as a link between both students interested in research and those involved in research. As well, the to serves as a link between students interested in research and faculty supportive of student research.
To encourage local and regional interaction among students through regional meetings and research competitions.

Awards

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Nov. 2009
Tiffany Cheung is the proud first-place winner in the applied sciences category of the 4th Annual Undergraduate Poster Competition at the University of Manitoba.

June 2009
Congratulations to Mark Dolyniuk for receiving the Dental Research Award at the 2009 Canadian Student Health Research Forum Poster Competition held on June 2-4 in the Brodie Centre, U of M.

March 2009
Nathan Jeal received the Pierre Fauchard Academy Scholarship for his presentation at the Pacific Dental Conference.

February 2009
Alex Serebnitski won the Dentsply Student Research Group Award for his outstanding service to the Faculty of Dentistry Student Research Group at U of M.

July 2008
Amanda Huminicki is the proud first-place winner in the junior category of the 2007-2008 CADR-IMHA awards competition. The award was presented at the joint IADR-CADR annual meeting in Toronto.

June 2008
Kristopher Coulter is the proud winner of the CIHR/Canadian Student Health Research national stduent poster competition and the Dean of Dentistry Award. The award was presented at the University of Manitoba National Health Research Day in Winnipeg.

Conferences/Meetings

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AADR/ CADR (American/Canadian Association for Dental Research) Annual Meeting, Mar. 3-6, 2010, Washington, D.C., USA.
Tiffany Cheung
Michael Greene
Nirvani Umadat
Kevin Vong

Faculty Research Day, Feb. 24, 2010, Winnipeg, MB.
Tiffany Cheung
Michael Greene
Nirvani Umadat
Kevin Vong
Robert Ward
Jordan Pang
Angela Kehler

7th International Orthodontic Congress. 6–9 Feb., 2010. Sydney, Australia.
Robert Ward

5th Annual Child Health Research Day, Nov. 12, 2009, Winnipeg, MB.
Nathan Jeal

University of Manitoba 4th Annual Undergraduate Student Poster Competition, Nov. 9, 2009, Winnipeg, MB.
Tiffany Cheung
Kevin Vong
Nirvani Umadat
Michael Greene
Mark Dolyniuk

Hinman Student Research Symposium, Oct. 30–Nov. 1, 2009, Memphis, Tennessee, USA.
Jordan Pang

85th Congress of the European Orthodontic Society, June 10–14, 2009, Helsinki, Finland.
Robert Ward

Canadian Student Health Research Forum Poster Competition, Jun. 2-4, 2009, Winnipeg, MB.
Mark Dolyniuk

Midwest Regional Dental Student Conference, Apr. 17-18, 2009, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
Ashley Dykun
Ben Yakiwchuk

IADR (International Association for Dental Research) 87th General Session & Exhibition, Apr. 1-4, 2009, Miami, Florida, USA.
Alex Serebnitski
Kris Coulter
Zach Stein
Ashley Dykun
Angela Kehler
Kevin Vong
Ben Yakiwchuk

45th Annual American Dental Students' Conference on Research, March, 2009, Gaithersburg, MD and Washington DC, USA.
Amanda Huminicki

Pacific Dental Conference, March 7, 2009, Vancouver, BC.
Nathan Jeal

Faculty Research Day, Feb. 25, 2009, Winnipeg, MB.
Mark Dolyniuk

Congresso Int. Società Italiana di Ortodonzia (SIDO), Nov. 20-22, 2008, Florence, Italy.
Zach Stein

Hinman Student Research Symposium, Oct. 31–Nov. 2, 2008, Memphis, Tennessee, USA.
Alex Witzke

NSERC Student Poster Competition, Oct. 10, 2008, Winnipeg, MB.
Alex Serebnitski

Past Students & Mentors

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From Class of 2009:

Name: Alex Serebnitski
Project: Documenting Pain among Children with Severe Early Childhood Caries (S-ECC): A Pilot Study
Mentor: Dr. Bob Schroth
Testimonial: “Research has not been my 1st choice in my university experience. Nonetheless, in the past two years I discovered its significance, meaning and the feeling of reward associated with it. It feels good to know that whatever is the project you are working on might help the profession, students, patients or the community in the future.”

Name: Amanda Huminicki
Project: Determining the effect of the oral environment on using Raman spectroscopy and optical coherence tomotraphy for detecting early caries lesions in vitro
Mentors: Drs. C. Dong and L.-P. Choo-Smith
Testimonial: “Being involved in research has been a very fulfilling and interesting experience for me. I greatly appreciate the guidance my mentors Dr. Dong and Dr. Choo-Smith have provided me, and the support of the faculty. I would highly recommend performing research to any dental student since it is so rewarding. I have enjoyed both conducting my research and presenting at conferences. This research project has brought me many opprtunities and I am carrying on with this research after graduation. The SRG was helpful as a way to connect with other students doing research."

Name: Ashley Dykun
Project: Are dentists needed to perform screenings?
Mentors: Dr. Doug Brothwell
Testimonial: “Participating in research has opened my eyes to many different areas of dentistry and has provided me with some amazing opportunities unavailable to other students. Research has allowed me to broaden my horizons and discover new interests in many different areas of dentistry. More importantly it has showed me how important research is to the progression of the profession.”

Name: Ben Yakiwchuk
Project: Measuring communication skills of oral health-care students
Mentor: Dr. Dieter Schonwetter
Testimonial: “Being involved in reserach has been an eye opening experience that has showed me a challengin and very rewarding aspect of the profession. Through reserach I have gained more insight into the use of valuable tools which can be applied to everday practice, as well as allowing me to personally help with the development of the profession. It has been an excellent experience to see other members of the SRG so eager to be involved in research and being a part to help organize methods to make research more accessible to other students."

Name: Courtney Humphreys
Project: Dental Caries Experience: School-Aged Children in a Northern Aboriginal Community
Mentor: Dr. Doug Brothwell
Testimonial: “Completing a research project during the summer, gave me an excellent opportunity to learn more about one specific area that interested me. I had the opportunity to conduct research in a rural, Aboriginal community, and it allowed me to see first hand the struggles that people face with access to dental care. My research project made me aware of some of the dental concerns in Canada, and the importance of researching under-serviced communities. I feel like I will be a better dentist being exposed to these ideas.”

Name: Kris Coulter
Project: Evaluation of Varied Repair Methods Applied to 5 Types of CAD/CAM Blocks
Mentor: Dr. Tammy Bonstein
Testimonial: “One of the best decisions I have made during my three years at the Faculty of Dentistry was to become involved in the faculty research. The opportunity to develop, conduct and interpret scientific experiment under the supervision of an experienced researcher proved to be a very challenging and rewarding experience. Whether or not I pursue a career in research I am sure I have acquired knowledge and skills that will assist me in whatever area of the profession I enter.”

Name: Zachary Stein
Project: Dental students' motivations to pursue orthodontic specialty training
Mentor: Dr. W. A. Wiltshire

From Class of 2008:

Name: Tijana Stijacic
Project: Are Manitoba dentists aware of the recommendation for a first visit to the dentist by age 1 year?
Mentor: Dr. Bob Schroth

Name: Jared Rykiss
Mentor: Dr. Wiltshire

Name: Brad Sorensen
Mentor: Dr. T. Bonstein

Research Mentors

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Research Mentors
At the University of Manitoba Faculty of Dentistry
& School of Dental Hygiene

Approximately 30 faculty members participate in the Student Research Program. Faculty research interests include all area of the basic sciences and dental clinical Sciences. Following is a list of mentors with their specific interests. You are encouraged to contact these faculty members to pursue specific projects.

click to download a list of mentors

SRG Calendar

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FAQ

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What is the Student Research Group (SRG)?
SRG is run by students and was created in order to generate a space or forum for student interaction and communication in the area of oral health research.

Who can join the Student Research Group?
All students in the Faculty of Dentistry in University of Manitoba.

How to identify a research topic?
Students can gather information about research topics by approaching potential mentors, talking to current SRG members, and reading about research papers of your interests. A list of mentors and current SRG members can be found on this website.

What do I have to do to join SRG?
After you have identified a research topic with a mentor, please submit your B.Sc. (Dent) application form to Dr. E. Scott. There is a SRG membership form, which you will submit to the SRG president for us to add you to the members' list.

Publications

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2009
Nathan Jeal was featured on P 498 on the September 2009 issue of Journal of the Canadian Dental Association. He presented in the 2009 CDA/Dentsply Student Clinician Research Program in the Pacific Dental Conference in March.

2008

Stijacic T, Schroth RJ, Lawrence HP. Are Manitoba dentists aware of the recommendation for a first visit to the dentist by age 1 year?. J Can Dent Assoc. 2008 Dec/ 2009 Jan;74(10):903.

SRG Annual Report

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Download SRG Annual Report 2008-09
(PDF format, 32 Pages, 1.6 mb)

Download SRG Annual Report 2007-08
(PDF format, 18 Pages, 1.1 mb)

BSc (dent) program

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Deadline for application to the BSc (dent) Program: February 11th 2010

How to find a project and mentor?
It is advisable to start early and look for a research field you are interested in. Next, approach the mentor and discuss if they have any research opportunities that might be available for you.

Application acceptance to the program depend on availability and timing as follows: Eligible students should complete their application form, complete their project description and submit both to Dr. Scott. Only the first 6 qualified applicants will secure their acceptance to the B.Sc. (Dent) program.

More information about the BSc. (dent) program and application procedures can be found at:

http://www.umanitoba.ca/dentistry/BScDent/index.htm

umanitoba.ca/faculties/dentistry/studenthandbook/studentPrograms.html#5.2_BSC_Dentprogram