UAB’s Student Research Group, a chapter of the American Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research (AADOCR) National Student Research Group (NSRG), has been recognized for having the greatest percentage of new AADOCR student members in 2021-2022.

The award is based upon chapter membership relative to the school’s enrollment. The group increased its enrollment by 24% this year.

The award, which comes with a monetary prize to support chapter activities, will be presented at the AADOCR National Student Research Group Student Meeting and Awards Ceremony during the AADOCR/CADR Annual Meeting and Exhibit in March.

“This award represents a great milestone in fostering research here at UAB and across the country. I am hopeful that we will continue to see this upward trend in engagement,” said Caris Smith, a DMD/PhD student and chapter president. Smith is the 2022-23 Gert Quigley Fellow and Government Affairs Liaison. He also serves as the NSRG Regional Representative for Southeast A and has been elected vice president of the national student research group.

The UAB chapter is a student-run organization that increases awareness of the importance of dental research, promotes student participation in research, and provides networking opportunities among student and faculty investigators. The chapter’s faculty advisor is Ejvis Lamani, DMD, PhD.