Fourth-year dental student Madelyn Lawrence recently won an award for the Most Outstanding Presentation in Clinical Research at the 29th Annual Hinman Student Research Symposium in Memphis, Tennessee.

Lawrence was one of 117 students representing 49 dental schools in 35 states, the District of Columbia and two provinces of Canada. During the symposium, held from Nov. 1 to 3, students gave oral and poster presentations based on their own research. 

Fourteen awards were given for the most outstanding student presentations in Basic Science Research and Clinical Research.

Lawrence’s project, titled "Efficacy of Photocuring Techniques Using the Managing Accurate Resin Composite Patient Simulator (MARC-PS): A Comparative Study of Exposure Times and Restoration Classifications," utilized D1 students to evaluate the effectiveness of photocuring Class I and Class III restorations using the SmartLite Focus Light Curing Unit. 

“Over the course of the two-and-a-half-day conference, I gained valuable insights into ongoing research from other institutions, expanded my knowledge and connected with fellow dental students from across the country,” Lawrence said.

Lawrence credits Frederica Mackert, D.D.S., M.H.A., for her mentorship, Terence Imbery, D.D.S., for providing the research opportunity and Caroline Carrico, Ph.D., for her expertise in statistical analysis. 

“I am deeply grateful to my mentors,” Lawrence said. “This experience was truly invaluable in my growth as a researcher and future dental professional.”

Imbery served as director of Lawrence’s research project and is also her General Practice Group leader.

"I'm very proud and happy for Madelyn,” said Imbery. “She represented VCU School of Dentistry and the General Practice department well by working independently collecting and analyzing data, writing the abstract, making the poster and for an outstanding presentation."