College of Dental Medicine-Illinois Shines at the 2025 AADOCR/CADR Annual Meeting

The College of Dental Medicine-Illinois (CDMI) made a remarkable impact at the 2025 American Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research (AADOCR) and Canadian Association for Dental Research (CADR) Annual Meeting & Exhibition, held from March 12-15 in New York.

With more than 40 students from all classes, along with some of their mentors, CDMI showcased its unwavering commitment to advancing dental and oral research. Their participation highlighted a diverse array of groundbreaking studies, reinforcing CDMI’s reputation as a leader in scientific discovery and innovation.

“Thank you so much, CDMI, for giving me this opportunity. I am so grateful for all the research and development experiences I have had since last summer,” said dental medicine student Sommer Schoenenberger (CDMI ’27), reflecting on her enriching journey at the event.

CDMI’s presence at AADOCR/CADR aligns with its mission to drive excellence in dental research through discovery and the dissemination of knowledge. By engaging in one of the most prestigious gatherings in the field, students and faculty are not only contributing to the advancement of dentistry but also strengthening their skills as future leaders in the profession.

Marcela Rocha de Oliveira Carrilho, D.D.S., Ph.D., CDMI’s Director of Research, shared, “At AADOCR/CADR, a CDMI student asked me what had changed from my time as a young researcher to now. My answer was simple: the greatest reward is not just the research itself but witnessing its continuous evolution and mentoring the next generation of clinical scientists. Seeing our students present with confidence and engage with experts makes all our efforts truly worthwhile.”

CDMI expressed its pride in its students and mentors for their dedication, passion, and impressive contributions to this world-class event.