Dr. William R. Proffit Resident Scholar Award Past Winners
This award was first awarded at the 2004 AAO Annual Session
- In 2003, GAC International Inc./Dentsply and the AAO created the Resident Clinician Scholars Program. Charles Schultz, general manager of GAC International Inc., stated at the time that this program is an attempt to identify and reward young orthodontists who are at the fore front of forging the future of their profession. The first Resident Clinician Scholars Program was held at the 2004 Annual Session.
- After the 2019 Annual Session, GAC/Dentsply dropped their sponsorship of the award and the AAO took over the sponsorship of the program.
- At the February 2020 BOT meeting, the award became known as the Dr. William R. Proffit Resident Scholar Award.
This award program offers an opportunity to graduate orthodontic students and orthodontic residents to present clinical research and basic science research at the AAO Annual Session. The participants presentations are judged on originality, relevance, research design validity, the results and conclusions of the research and the overall presentation by the resident.
The Council on Scientific Affairs manages the award program for the AAO.
Created: June 28, 2011
Updated: June 12, 2024
| Year | Category | Place | First Name | Last Name | University | Title of Research |
| 2024 | Basic Science | 1 | Flavia | Gomes Velasque Gama | University of Connecticut | The effects of FGF18 in a mouse model for TMJ fibrocartilage degradation |
| 2024 | Basic Science | 2 | Emelia | Karkazis | University of Illinois-Chicago | Bone characterization in a novel dicer-deficiency osteocyte transgenic mouse model |
| 2024 | Basic Science | 3 | Mary | Cruz Contreras Salas | University of Pennsylvania | Age-dependent osteogenic potentials of mesenchymal stem cells during the maxillary expansion |
| 2024 | Clinical | 1 | Mohamed | Adel | University of Kentucky | Precision assessment of facial asymmetry using 3D facial imaging and artificial intelligence |
| 2024 | Clinical | 2 | Emily | Leach | University of Nebraska | Disposal of orthodontic clear aligners: out of sight out of mind? |
| 2024 | Clinical | 3 | Seung Ah | Jung | University of the Pacific | Nasal cavity changes in growing patients treated with MARPE: 3D superimposition study |
| 2023 | Basic Science | 1 | Sheng | Wang | Ohio State University | Knockout of Piezo2 in nociceptors decreases tooth movement in mice |
| 2023 | Basic Science | 2 | Brittany | Trinh | University of Texas – Houston | Molecular rescue of primary failure of tooth eruption in mouse molars |
| 2023 | Basic Science | 3 | Grace | Kim | Harvard University | Effects of magnetic field on periodontal ligament fibroblasts(hPDLF) under orthodontic forces |
| 2023 | Clinical | 1 | Min (Sherry) | Yang | University of Pennsylvania | Accurate gingival segmentation from 3D images with artificial intelligence |
| 2023 | Clinical | 2 | Anita | Ribeiro | University of São Paulo | 3D evaluated dental changes during gummy smile treatment with mini-screws after micro-osteoperforations |
| 2023 | Clinical | 3 | Taylor | Finn | Columbia University | Alveolar bone microarchitecture in postmenopausal women living with HIV (PLWH) |
| 2023 | Clinical | 3 | Yoon Weon (Christina) | Suh | University of the Pacific | Comprehensive 3D analysis of nasoalveolar molding in cleft lip and palate patients |
| 2022 | Basic Science | 1 | Abbey | Janssen | Texas A&M University | The Long-term Effects of Unloading on the Transdifferentiation of Condylar Chondrocytes |
| 2022 | Basic Science | 2 | Gabrielle | Wainwright | University of the Pacific | Searching for Association of GSK3β rs13314595 and MSX1 rs3821949 with Nonsyndromic Cleft Lip and Palate |
| 2022 | Basic Science | 3 | Ke | Wang | University of Connecticut | Effects of Alendronate on Periodontal Ligament Entheses in Osteogenesis Imperfecta Mice |
| 2022 | Clinical | 1 | Vivian | Snider | University of Illinois – Chicago | Detecting Periodontal Conditions and Improving Patients’ Oral Hygiene by Remote Dental Monitoring: A Prospective Study |
| 2022 | Clinical | 2 | Diaa | Ossama Allahham | University of Rochester | Association Between Non-Extraction Clear Aligner Therapy and Alveolar Bone Dehiscences and Fenestrations in Adults with Mild-To-Moderate Crowding |
| 2022 | Clinical | 3 | Ney | Paredes Sampen | University of California – Los Angeles | Skeletal and Dentoalveolar Changes Post-Expansion and Post-Treatment with Microimplant-Supported Midfacial Skeletal Expander |
| 2022 | Clinical | 3 | Jeffrey | Mount | University of Texas – Houston | Effect of 3D-Printed Material on Thermoformed Appliance Fabrication |
| 2021 | Basic Science | 1 | Po-Jung | Chen | University of Connecticut | Senolytics Alleviate the Degenerative Disorders of Temporomandibular Joint in Old Age |
| 2021 | Basic Science | 2 | Wenlu | Jiang | University of California – Los Angeles | Fibromodulin Promotes Myofibroblast Clearance in High-Mechanical-Loading Induced Postoperative Scars after Cleft Lip Repair |
| 2021 | Basic Science | 3 | Derrick | Crawford | University of Michigan | Injection of Nitric Oxide Nanoparticles Inhibits Orthodontic Tooth Movement |
| 2021 | Clinical | 1 | Moufida | Abufarwa | University at Buffalo | The Effect of Acid Etching the Enamel Prior to CPP-ACP-Fluoride Varnish Application |
| 2021 | Clinical | 2 | Shelby | Sheeran | University of Kentucky | The Validity of a User-Friendly Three-Dimensional Voxel-Based Maxillary Superimposition |
| 2021 | Clinical | 3 | Insia | Virji | University of Illinois – Chicago | Translucency Changes of Two Retainer Materials after Staining and Destaining |
| 2021 | Clinical | 3 | Marissa | Kobewka | University of Alberta | Periodontal Changes Associated with Orthodontic Expansion – Hyrax vs. Damon |
| 2020 | The award was not given because the Annual Session was canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic. | |||||
| 2019 | Basic Science | 1 | Spencer | Crouch | University of Michigan | Local vs. Systemic Effects of TNAP on Osteoblast Differentiation and Bone Formation |
| 2019 | Basic Science | 2 | Niloufar | Azami | University of Connecticut | The Effects of Raloxifene on Bone Remodeling and Orthodontic Relapse |
| 2019 | Basic Science | 3 | Divakar | Karanth | University of Kentucky | Developing and Evaluating Scaffold for Alveolar Bone Regeneration |
| 2019 | Clinical | 1 | Noha | Orabi | Case Western Reserve University | Pharyngeal Airway Volumetric Changes after Orthodontic Extraction: a Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis |
| 2019 | Clinical | 2 | Mary | Lanier Zaytoun | University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill | Machine Learning Algorithms: A New Approach to the Extraction Decision |
| 2019 | Clinical | 3 | Mason | Borth | University of Texas – Houston | Impact of Resin Composite Type on Invisalign Attachment Wear |
| 2019 | Clinical | 3 | Boshi | Zhang | University of California, Los Angeles | Objective and Subjective Airway Improvement via Treatment with Maxillary Skeletal Expander |
| 2018 | Basic Science | 1 | Chenshuang | Li | University of California, Los Angeles | Neurexin Superfamily Member Cntnap4 is a Specific Receptor of Nell-1 for Osteogenesis |
| 2018 | Basic Science | 2 | Kathleen | Martin | University of British Columbia | Tracing the Cellular Origins of Mesenchymal Derivatives in Craniofacial Development |
| 2018 | Basic Science | 3 | Yina | Li | University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill | The Role of Autophagy during Orthodontic Tooth Movement (OTM) |
| 2018 | Clinical | 1 | Catherine | Kubera | Tri-Service Orthodontic Residency Program | Preferred Occlusal Cant for Patients with Orbital Dystopia |
| 2018 | Clinical | 2 | James | Bloom | Maimonides Medical Center | Accuracy of Dental Stone Models Cast from 3D Printed Flexible Polymer Shells |
| 2018 | Clinical | 3 | Clint | Wire | University of Iowa | Adolescent Skeletal and Dental Changes with Rapid Maxillary Expansion (RME) |
| 2018 | Clinical | 3 | Alissa Maria | Varella | Rajiv Gandhi University | Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) Increases Interleukin-1β (IL-1β) in GCF and Enhances the Rate of Orthodontic Tooth Movement (OTM) |
| 2017 | Basic Science | 1 | Alyssa | Emory-Carter | University of Florida | Proteomic Characterization of Exosomes Released by Osteoclasts and Odontoclasts |
| 2017 | Basic Science | 2 | Xi | Chen | University of Michigan | Maturation of Dental Pulp Stem Cell-Derived Blood Vessels |
| 2017 | Basic Science | 3 | Sudha | Gudhimella | University of Kentucky | Skeletal Anchorage in a Rat Model of Orthodontic Tooth Movement (OTM) |
| 2017 | Clinical | 1 | Christina | Jackson | University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill | Accuracy and Performance of Novel 3D Metal Printed Orthodontic Brackets |
| 2017 | Clinical | 2 | Meenakshi | Vishwanath | University of Connecticut | Force-System of V-Bends: A Three Dimensional Analysis of Wire Size and Activation |
| 2017 | Clinical | 3 | Victoria | Duong | Roseman University of Health Sciences | A Quantitative Assessment of the Costs Associated with Orthodontic Collection Practices |
| 2017 | Clinical | 3 | Hazem | Eimar | University of Alberta | Obstructive Sleep Apnea is Associated with Reduced Mandibular Cortical Thickness in Children |
| 2016 | Basic Science | 1 | Negin | Katebi | Harvard School of Dental Medicine | Anthrax Receptor 1 and Its Role in Craniofacial Growth and Development |
| 2016 | Basic Science | 2 | Lauren | Van Gemert | Texas A&M University Baylor College of Dentistry | Osseous Boundaries of the Regional Acceleratory Phenomenon with Micro-osteoperforations (MOPs) |
| 2016 | Basic Science | 3 | Huiyan | Guan | State University of New York, Buffalo | A Nano-scaffold with BMP2 Genetically Engineered Stem Cells Promotes Vascularized Bone Formation |
| 2016 | Clinical | 1 | Melissa | Alfonso | University of Florida | Orthodontic Tooth Movement with Aligners Using the AcceleDent® Aura Device in Adults |
| 2016 | Clinical | 2 | Doreen | Ng | University of Sydney | The Effect of Low-Level Laser Therapy on Orthodontic Root Resorption and Pain |
| 2016 | Clinical | 3 | Tingxi | Wu | University of California, Los Angeles | Managing Orthodontic Bracket Induced Plaque Formation and Associated Oral Diseases |
| 2015 | Basic Science | 1 | Omer | Fleissig | Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel | The Role of Natural Killer Cells in Orthodontic Tooth Movement |
| 2015 | Basic Science | 2 | Jonathan | Francis | University of Kentucky | Screw Diameter and Orthodontic Loading Influence Adjacent Bone Response |
| 2015 | Basic Science | 3 | Heather | Hendricks | University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill | Investigating the Etiology and Pathogenesis of Primary Failure of Eruption (PFE) |
| 2015 | Clinical | 1 | Soleil | Roberts | University of Washington | Midfacial and Dental Changes Associated with Nasal Positive Airway Pressure in Children with Sleep-Disordered Breathing |
| 2015 | Clinical | 2 | Shailesh | Bhandari | Dr. NTR University of Health Sciences, India | Evaluation of Rate of Space Closure in Piezocision Assisted Orthodontic Tooth Movement |
| 2015 | Clinical | 3 | Kevin Chien-Hsun | Lee | University of British Columbia | Incidence Study of Malocclusions in Children with Obsructive Sleep Apnea |
| 2014 | Basic Science | 1 | Nicole | Cheng | University of California, Los Angeles | Optimal timing of bisphosphonate treatment on alveolar cleft bone grafting |
| 2014 | Basic Science | 2 | Rebecca | Chen | Harvard University | Genetic deactivation of TGF-β1 signaling attenuates articular cartilage degeneration in mature joints |
| 2014 | Basic Science | 3 | Richard | Uhlir | University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill | Biomechanical characterization of the periodontal ligament: Orthodontic tooth movement |
| 2014 | Clinical | 1 | Cole | Weaver | University of Iowa | Candidate gene analyses of 3D dental phenotypes in patients with malocclusion |
| 2014 | Clinical | 2 | Neha | Patel | University of Florida | Effect of aligner material and duration on orthodontic tooth movement |
| 2014 | Clinical | 3 | Ahmed | Ghoneima | Indiana University – Purdue University | Assessment of the reliability of dental measurements using the OrthoMechanics Sequential Analyzer |
| 2013 | Basic Science | 1 | Noor | Obaisi | University of Illinois – Chicago | Determination of the Transformation Temperature Ranges (TTR) of Orthodontic Nickel-Titanium Archwires |
| 2013 | Basic Science | 2 | Christopher | Murphy | University of Connecticut | Effect of Corticision and Force Magnitude on Tooth Movement |
| 2013 | Basic Science | 3 | Edgardo | Toro | University of Florida | Orthodontic Tooth Movement is Reduced by a Bisphosphonate Derivative of Enoxacin |
| 2013 | Clinical | 1 | Grant | Collins | Mayo Clinic | Accuracy of Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Orthodontics: Cephalometric Measurements Using MRI Compared to Traditional Radiographs |
| 2013 | Clinical | 2 | Carolina | Morsani Mordente | Pontificia Universidade Catolica de Minas Gerais | Rapid Maxillary Expansion in Cleft Patients: A Comparison Between Four Expanders |
| 2013 | Clinical | 3 | Megan | LeCornu | University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill | Three-Dimensional Treatment Outcomes in Class II Patients Treated Using Herbst: Pilot Study |
| 2012 | Basic Science | 1 | George | Abichaker | University of Southern California | CMV induces stage-dependent differences in tooth dysmorphogenesis and enamel defects |
| 2012 | Basic Science | 2 | David | Mouritsen | University of Alabama | Automatic Segmentation of Teeth in Digital Dental Models |
| 2012 | Basic Science | 3 | Ayman | Al Dayeh | University of Washington | In vivo growth of the nasal septal cartilage and nasofrontal suture |
| 2012 | Clinical | 1 | Collin | Kraus | Baylor College of Dentistry | Bony Adaptation to Slow Buccal Expansion With Light-to-Moderate, Continuous Forces |
| 2012 | Clinical | 2 | Emily | Singer | University of Toronto | Burden of Care of Infant Orthopedics for Improving Nasolabial Esthetics in CUCLP |
| 2012 | Clinical | 3 | Crystal | Cox | University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill | In Vivo Evaluation of Force Decay Properties of NiTi Closed Coil Springs and Comparison with Matched In Vitro Analysis |
| 2011 | Basic Science | 1 | Yunyan | Shen | Columbia University | Amelogenin-mediated Osteo/Odontogensis: Signaling Pathway and Therapeutic Potential |
| 2011 | Basic Science | 2 | Haitao | Li | University of Illinois – Chicago | Numb Expression during Tooth Development: Possible Role in Ameloblast Biology |
| 2011 | Basic Science | 3 | Alfonso | Navarrete | University of Washington | Botox Effects on Bite Force, Mastication and Incisor Eruption in Rabbits |
| 2011 | Clinical | 1 | Anas | Al Najjar | Stony Brook University | Children and Adult Radiation Risks with a CBCT |
| 2011 | Clinical | 2 | Chuen Chie | Chiang | University of Southern Nevada | Establishing Norms of 3D Upper Airway in the Child and Adolescent |
| 2011 | Clinical | 3 | Joanie | Roy | University of Toronto | Dental Anxiety in Current and Future Orthodontic Patients |
| 2010 | Basic Science | 1 | Edmund | Khoo | New York University | Cytokine expression, bone remodeling and tooth movement in response to osteoperforation |
| 2010 | Basic Science | 2 | Thyagaseely | Premaraj | University of Nebraska | Mechanical strain, PGE2 and beta-catenin signaling interactions in periodontal ligament cells |
| 2010 | Basic Science | 3 | Shalin | Shah | University of Pennsylvania | Type III collagen-deficient mice exhibit altered craniofacial and skeletal development |
| 2010 | Clinical | 1 | Sean | Marcy | University of Toronto | Perceptions of plastic surgeons, orthodontists and laypersons to altered facial balance |
| 2010 | Clinical | 2 | Jonathan | Chiang | University of Illinois – Chicago | Study of facial esthetics in the Southwest native American population |
| 2010 | Clinical | 3 | Justin | Olsen | University of Oklahoma | Buccal plate changes following rapid versus slow palatal expansion: CBCT evaluation |
| 2009 | Basic Science | 1 | Joshua | Davis | Temple University | Polycaprolactone composite nanofibers as a functional periodontal ligament (PDL) scaffold |
| 2009 | Basic Science | 2 | Laeticia | Nassif | American University of Beirut | Calvarial bone integration by bone marrow stromal cells seeded in Chitosan-sponges |
| 2009 | Basic Science | 3 | Vo Danh | Nguyen | University of Florida | Increased vertical dimension (VDO) effects on masseter muscle phenotype during maturation |
| 2009 | Clinical | 1 | Anthony | Paventy | University of Oklahoma | Nonextraction treatment using the Damon system: a CBCT evaluation |
| 2009 | Clinical | 2 | Pradip | Shetye | St. Barnabas Hospital | Cephalometric evaluation of midface position and stability following LeFort III advancement |
| 2009 | Clinical | 3 | Tiffany | Louie | University of California – San Francisco | Clinical assessment of early demineralization using polarized sensitive-optical coherence tomography (PS-OCT) |
| 2008 | Basic Science | 1 | Zongyang | Sun | University of Washington | Early phase healing of a pig mandibular distraction osteogenesis (DO) site |
| 2008 | Basic Science | 2 | Rodrigo | Viecilli | Indiana University | Orthodontic mechanotransduction and the role of the P2X7 receptor |
| 2008 | Basic Science | 3 | Benita | Wong | University of California – San Francisco | Neural crest cells in the development of avian trigeminal nerve |
| 2008 | Clinical | 1 | Bryan | Vibeto | Mayo School of Graduate Medical Education | The missing maxillary lateral incisor: the acceptance of canine substitution |
| 2008 | Clinical | 2 | Kory | McHenry | Nova Southeastern University | Evaluation of vanilloid receptor for preemptive analgesia |
| 2008 | Clinical | 3 | Salem | Al-Qabandi | Harvard School of Dental medicine | The use of CBCT in the evaluation of dental and skeletal transverse dimension |
| 2007 | Basic Science | 1 | Supaporn | Suttamanatwong | University of Minnesota | Regulation of matrix Gla protein by parathyroid hormone in osteoblasts |
| 2007 | Basic Science | 2 | Yu-Ching | Lai | University of Rochester Eastman Dental Center | TMJ arthritis in mouse with craniomandibular dysfunction and pain |
| 2007 | Basic Science | 3 | Ezz Dean | Azzeh | Harvard University | The role of VEGF-A in cartilage formation |
| 2007 | Clinical | 1 | Rahul | Renjen | Montefiore Medical Center | Root and pulp response after intentional injury from mini-screw placement |
| 2007 | Clinical | 2 | Dustin | Tipton | University of Oklahoma | Soft tissue changes attributed to rapid palatal expansion |
| 2007 | Clinical | 3 | Christopher | Holahan | Mayo Clinic | Does osteoporosis affect the survival rate of dental implants |
| 2006 | Basic Science | 1 | Jae Hyun | Park | New York University | Zn-CaP material as potential anti-bacterial and mineralizing coating for orthodontic brackets |
| 2006 | Basic Science | 2 | Jean-David | Sebaoun | Boston University | Trabecular bone modeling and RAP following selective |
| 2006 | Basic Science | 3 | Matthew | Dunn | University of Michigan | Local delivery of osteoprotegerin for orthodontic anchorage |
| 2006 | Clinical | 1 | Laura | Balducci | University of Illinois – Chicago | Biological markers for evaluation of root resorption |
| 2006 | Clinical | 2 | Susan | Tsang | University of Manitoba | Profile changes in surgically treated Class II patients |
| 2006 | Clinical | 3 | Eric | Haney | University of California – San Francisco | Impacted cuspids: 2D versus 3D imaging |
| 2005 | Basic Science | 1 | Marsha | Beattie | University of Michigan | Heritable dentin defects: clinical and genetic perspectives in a family |
| 2005 | Basic Science | 2 | Luciana | Van Westen | University of Iowa | The genetic basis of craniofrontonasal dysplasia |
| 2005 | Basic Science | 3 | Maria | Karpov | University of Pennsylvania | In vitro bone remodeling on experimental sol-gel-derived bioactive glasses |
| 2005 | Clinical | 1 | Nanci Lara | Oliveira | University of Illinois – Chicago | The nasal cavity and the maxillary arch after rapid palatal expansion |
| 2005 | Clinical | 2 | Jacqueline | Palaisa | West Virginia University | Evaluation of nasal cavity changes after rapid palatal expansion using conventional tomography |
| 2005 | Clinical | 3 | Christopher | Maulik | University of Connecticut | A dynamic smile analysis in young adults |
| 2004 | Basic Science | 1 | Scott | MacGregor | University of Toronto | |
| 2004 | Basic Science | 2 | Stephen | Tjoa | University of Pennsylvania | |
| 2004 | Basic Science | 3 | Sean | Holliday | University of Illinois – Chicago | |
| 2004 | Clinical | 1 | Daniel | Bercowski | University of Puerto Rico | |
| 2004 | Clinical | 2 | Jay | Harris | Medical College of Georgia | |
| 2004 | Clinical | 3 | James | Paschal, Jr. | Rochester Eastman Dental Center |
NOTE: 2004 titles were not listed in the OnSite Program or the Book of Abstracts