The UAB School of Dentistry Local Student Research Group (UAB SOD LSRG) is excited to highlight the appointment of Dr. Ejvis Lamani as the incoming President of the Alabama Section of the American Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research (AADOCR) for the 2024-2025 term. As a distinguished researcher and educator, Dr. Lamani brings a wealth of experience and leadership to this position and inspires students to pursue research at the UAB SOD.
Journey as a Dental Researcher
Dr. Lamani’s journey as a dental researcher began with the DMD/PhD program at UAB SOD, where she played a pivotal role as the first student in its renewal and re-establishment in 2005. This dual-degree program strengthened her passion for investigation and the problem-solving aspect of research. She also loved the firsthand perspective on scientific advancements and the translation into clinical practice that she experienced through research. Dr. Lamani’s experience at UAB SOD transitioned from a student to co-director of the DMD/PhD track within the Dental Academic Research Training (DART) program.
After completing her DMD/PhD at UAB SOD, Dr. Lamani pursued her interest in orthodontics at University of Texas Health San Antonio School of Dentistry. During her residency, Dr. Lamani observed a higher prevalence of root resorption during orthodontic treatment in certain patient populations. This sparked her interest in the potential role of genetics as a predisposing factor of root resorption following orthodontic treatment. Her ongoing research focuses on identifying these “genetic factors that can contribute to [dental] disorders and… guid[ing]… treatment in orthodontics that minimize resorption.” Additionally, Dr. Lamani is exploring the potential association between tooth agenesis and cancer risk. She envisions a collaboration with the UAB Heersink School of Medicine and its oncology department to investigate this link, potentially developing a screening tool for tooth agenesis patients to identify any predisposition to specific cancers. Dr. Lamani emphasized that multidisciplinary approaches are crucial for bridging gaps between basic science, translational research, and clinical applications to “make new changes.” Her ultimate goal in research is to develop methods that leverage patients’ genetic and phenotypic profiles to tailor orthodontic treatment for optimal oral health outcomes.
Motivations for Research
“My ‘why’ for doing what I do is to restore human dignity. I believe that dentistry has the capacity to empower people, to restore confidence, and to take away roadblocks in the lives of many. My focus has been to restore teeth, to preserve what is natural, and to be able to successfully maintain teeth and restorations. The importance of operative dentistry is many times overlooked or misunderstood. I hope to bring awareness and thus improve the quality of dentistry in Alabama and beyond.”
Vision for AADOCR Alabama Section
As the President of AADOCR Alabama Section, Dr. Lamani has outlined her vision for the 2024-2025 year. One of her main goals for her presidency is to foster a more robust research environment within the UAB SOD. This includes advocating for increased faculty support and resources to facilitate research endeavors. Dr. Lamani proposes establishing an open forum within the UAB SOD community, potentially during lunch hours, to encourage the exchange of research ideas. She envisions the open forums as a platform for both clinical and non-clinical researchers to share their expertise and explore collaborative opportunities that will contribute to impactful research. Additionally, Dr. Lamani emphasizes the importance of equipping faculty with the tools and knowledge to initiate research projects. She proposes the development of hands-on workshops to guide faculty through the research initiation process. Dr. Lamani aspires to act as a bridge between the UAB SOD faculty, researchers, and students, fostering communication, open-mindedness, and “inquisitive mindset[s].” She believes that this will not only promote the faculty’s professional development but also serve to inspire more dental students to pursue their research passions.
Advice for Future Dental Researcher
Dr. Lamani actively integrates UAB SOD students and residents in her research program through projects such as calculating the prevalence of specific genetic conditions, measuring crown-to-root ratios, identifying genetic mutations associated with tooth agenesis, and conducting both chart and literature reviews. While acknowledging the potential challenges of basic science research due to its specialized knowledge base requirement, Dr. Lamani strongly encourages students to explore their research interests and take the time to learn about them in depth. Students can initially explore departmental research areas through the faculty webpage to identify ongoing projects, and then schedule meetings to discuss potential ideas. Dr. Lamani emphasized that having a well-defined research focus will allow the faculty to effectively match students’ interests with suitable research topics and provide targeted guidance. She urges the students to persevere through the process, which may seem unclear and frustrating: “Never give up. If the initial effort doesn’t work, try, and try again. Make time and be patient. You’ve got to have patience when it comes to research, because it will all pay out at the end.”
Story originally published in Vol II, Spring 2024 Bridging the Gap, a newsletter of the UAB Local Student Research Group.