UIC Orthodontics researchers receive seven AAOF Grant Awards for 2026
Introduction
Researchers from the UIC College of Dentistry Department of Orthodontics received seven grant awards from the American Association of Orthodontics Foundation. The 2026 award cycle recognized the groundbreaking research of the following faculty and residents:
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Dr. Min Kyeong Lee, Orthodontics Faculty Development Fellowship Award for the project titled “Impact of Craniofacial Differences on Systemic Health Hospitalization Outcomes”. (Project mentor and Co-Investigator – Sath Allareddy; Co-Investigators – Maysaa Oubaidin and Mohammed H. Elnagar)
Dr. Sath Allareddy, Center Award for the project titled “Symposium and Workshop for Training Next Generation Clinician Scientists in Big Data and AI Methods”. (Co-Investigators – Min Kyeong Lee, Mohammed H. Elnagar, Phimon Atsawasuwan, Flavio Sanchez, Michael D. Han, Maysaa Oubaidin, Shankar R. Venugopalan, and Sumit Yadav).
Dr. Mohammed H. Elnagar, Biomedical Research Award for the project titled “Global Insights into Orthodontic Treatment Using Artificial Intelligence and Big Data”. (Co-Investigators – Sath Allareddy, Budi Kusnoto, and Flavio Sanchez).
Dr. Phimon Atsawasuwan, Biomedical Research Award for the project titled “Development of an Innovative Anti-cariogenic Nanoparticle-based System for Clear Aligners/Retainers”. (Co-Investigators – Russel Pesavento, Camilla Zamperini, and Grace Viana).
Dr. Maysaa Oubaidin, Biomedical Research Award for the project titled “Impact of AAOF Awards Program on Faculty Development”. (Project Mentor and Co-Investigator – Sath Allareddy; Co-Investigator – Min Kyeong Lee).
Dr. Natthapatt Sooppapipatt, Research Aid Award for the project titled “Comparison of Calvarial Phenotypes Between Two MicroRNA-145 Deficient Transgenic Mouse Models”. (Project Mentor and Co-Investigator – Phimon Atsawasuwan).
Dr. Thy Tran, Research Aid Award for the project titled “Chemical Leaching and Optical Properties of Clear Retainers After Various Cleaning Methods”. (Project Mentor and Co-Investigator – Phimon Atsawasuwan).