AADOCR Kentucky Section Fall Symposium 2026
September 23, 2026 from 1 - 6 p.m. at the University of Louisville Clinical and Translational Research Building
Sidebar
The 2026 American Association for Dental, Oral and Craniofacial Research Kentucky Section Symposium will be hosted by the University of Louisville School of Dentistry on September 23, 2026.
Keynote Speaker: Dr. Nisha D’Silva
Nisha D’Silva, BDS, MSD, PhD, is the Donald Kerr Endowed Collegiate Professor at the University of Michigan School of Dentistry, Professor of Pathology at the University of Michigan Medical School, and current President of the American Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research (AADOCR). A clinician-scientist and diplomate of the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, her research focuses on oral cancer biomarkers and tumor progression. Funded by the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, she has authored more than 90 publications and is widely recognized for her leadership and contributions to oral cancer research and mentorship.
Dr. D'Silva's keynote presentation will be "HPV-related Oropharyngeal Cancer: Mechanism to Biomarkers"
Symposium Program
| Time | Event |
| 1:00 p.m. | Introductions Luciana Shaddox - Associate Dean of Research, University of Kentucky |
| 1:15 p.m. | Keynote Presentation Nisha D'Silva, BDS, MSD, PhD |
| 2:15 p.m. | Break |
| 2:30 p.m. | Poster Session Network with investigators, trainees, faculty and students while viewing research posters from the University of Kentucky and University of Louisville |
| 3:30 p.m. | Break |
| 3:45 p.m. | Student Presentations Showcasing innovative research by student investigators Symposium Presentations Lisa Sandell, PhD (University of Louisville) - Role of Vitamin A in Salivary Gland Development and Adult Tissue Health Sandro Bitencourt, DDS, PhD (University of Louisville) - Layer by Layer: Bridging Research and Clinical Practice Lorri Morford, PhD (University of Kentucky) - Getting to the Root Cause of EARR Kimberly Parker, PhD (University of Kentucky) - A Community Engaged Approach to Understanding Motivators and Barriers to HPV Vaccinations |
| 5:00 p.m. | Poster Awards and Reception Recognition of outstanding poster presentations |
| 6:00 p.m. | Event Conclusion Thank you for joining us! |