Orthodontics program celebrates three successful theses defenses
The Graduate Orthodontics & Dentofacial Orthopaedics program is celebrating the recent successful theses defenses of all of its third-year residents.
Drs. Dustin Wilson, Harman Jassar, and Timothy (Oscar) Renison recently defended and completed their thesis towards their Masters in Clinical Dentistry in Orthodontics.
“We compliment their commitment and perseverance, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, to answer some very novel and important research questions in the specialty,” said Dr. Ali Tassi, Assistant Dean, Postgraduate Dental Education.
Dr. Tassi also had the opportunity to supervise or co-supervise all three research projects.
“Their findings will be a welcome addition to the clinical orthodontic, craniofacial growth and dental education literature,” he said.
Dr. Jassar’s research examined glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK-3) proteins, which have been known to affect many cellular processes and signaling pathways, including implications for the growth of the craniofacial skeleton. His thesis, The Role of GSK3 alpha and beta in Embryonic Craniofacial Developmentstudied the effects of GSK-3 deficiency on craniofacial development of mouse models. He was co-supervised by Frank Beier, PhD, Professor of Physiology and Pharmacology.
Dr. Renison’s thesis, Debt and Stress Amongst Orthodontic Residents, examined data from recently graduated orthodontic residents on the financial literacy, attitudes toward debt and anxiety of this group as it relates to the cost of graduate education. He was co-supervised by Daniel Ansari, PhD, Professor in the Faculty of Education.
Dr. Wilson studied the colour pigmentation and material composition of orthodontic elastics and their degradation over time. His thesis was titled, The Effect of Pigmentation on Latex and Non-Latex Orthodontic Elastics.
