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The SIU School of Dental Medicine (SIU SDM) hosted its Annual Research Day on Tuesday, April 8 on the Alton Campus of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. The event offers the School the opportunity to highlight the exciting research endeavors taking place by students, residents and faculty at SIU SDM.

Barbara McCracken, PhD, Assistant Dean for Research at SIU SDM, served as this year’s emcee. She noted the importance of drawing attention to the remarkable range of research activity on campus each year.

"The School’s Annual Research Day is a highly anticipated event that showcases the innovative and collaborative research endeavors of our students, residents, and faculty,” said McCracken. “The day provides a valuable platform for our students and residents to present their original research, fostering critical thinking, scientific inquiry, and the development of future leaders in dental research."

Leading up to Research Day, dental students competed in the annual Student Research Table Clinic Competition. This year, twelve students presented on eight different research projects. Students proceeded to detail their research -- from methodology to findings -- for a distinguished panel of judges.

The student presentations were reviewed by five impartial judges representing three separate institutions: Corey Ragsdale, PhD, associate professor of anthropology and Bethany Kassebaum, instructor in biological sciences (SIUE);. Bob Weck, professor of biology (Southwestern Illinois College); and Timm Schwartz, DDS, and Gary Fischer, DMD (Illinois State Dental Society Foundation).

On Research Day, an Overall Winner of the SIU SDM Student Research Table Clinic Competition was announced. This year, Amanda Tannehill, a Year 3 dental student, earned the award. As the Overall Winner, Tannehill will be invited to attend the American Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research (AADOCR) General Session, which will be held in San Diego, CA in March 2026.

Tannehill's research is entitled "Antimicrobial Properties of Agmatine and Epigallocatechin Gallate (EGCG): An In-Vitro Investigation." Tannehill worked with faculty mentors McCracken and Alan Wickenhauser, DMD, on this research.

"First and foremost, I would like to thank Dr. McCracken and Dr. Wickenhauser for their unwavering support and commitment to this research project,” said Tannehill. “I am so grateful to have these two incredible mentors that are always willing to lend their guidance and share their expertise.”

“I would also like to congratulate the other students on their research findings and accomplishments. The competition this year was incredible, and there are some outstanding research efforts going on at the SIU SDM. And finally, thank you to the SIU SDM administrators that make it possible to share our knowledge with a wider audience.”

"I am still trying to find the words to explain how much this award and opportunity to present at the AADOCR conference means to me," added Tannehill. "I am blessed to have the opportunity to share these incredible findings to dentists and students from all around the world! I am beyond excited and thrilled to attend the AADOCR conference and cannot wait for the opportunity to represent SIU SDM in San Diego next March!"

In addition to showcasing amazing research by students, residents and faculty at SIU SDM, the School’s Annual Research Day also offers the opportunity to highlight research happening at other dental schools across the country. This year, the School’s Office of Research was excited to welcome Josh Thomson, PhD, from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Dentistry as the keynote speaker.

Thomson is an associate professor and the Interim Director of the Research Administration Division of Integrated Biomedical Sciences at the University of Detroit Mercy School of Dentistry. Thomson teaches microbiology and immunology to dental and dental hygiene students and residents, with a specific emphasis on infectious diseases and infection control. His main research focus is directed towards the use of natural compounds and bacteriophage as therapeutics against dental pathogens, as well as defining microbiological characteristics of dental materials.

Thomson offered two presentations during the 2025 SIU SDM Research Day. The first, geared toward faculty and staff, was entitled "Is Bacteriophage Therapy a Realistic Option for Caries Prevention?"  The presentation was well received by the faculty, staff, and residents in attendance.

In the afternoon, Thomson offered a presentation for the entire SIU SDM campus community entitled, "Incorporating Microbiology into Dentistry: Mouth rinses, Phages, and Public Health." This presentation successfully held the interest of students, residents, fellows, faculty and staff alike.

Immediately following Thomson's afternoon presentation, the SIU SDM campus community was invited to view all research posters from the Student Research Table Clinic Competition, and many more from students, residents and faculty of SIU SDM and SIUE. The researchers were present during the viewing to field questions from those in attendance.

“The SIU School of Dental Medicine offers some amazing research opportunities for our students and residents, and our faculty are deeply involved in clinical and biomedical research,” said  McCracken. “It is rewarding each year to be able to take a day to celebrate the advancement of dental research that SIU SDM is helping to promote.” 

PHOTOS:  Amanda Tannehill, SIU SDM Year 3 dental student, Overall Winner of the SIU SDM Student Research Table Clinic Competition; Barbara McCracken, PhD, Assistant Dean for Research at SIU SDM, Tannehill and SIU SDM Dean Saulius E. Drukteinis, DMD, MS, PhD; Keynote Speaker Josh Thomson, PhD, University of Detroit Mercy School of Dentistry