The UF College of Dentistry’s nationally recognized Student Research Group, or SRG, welcomes a new faculty advisor this spring, continuing a tradition of strong mentorship and student‑driven discovery.
Beginning April 1, 2026, Dayane Oliveira, D.D.S., Ph.D., associate professor in the Department of Restorative Dental Sciences, will serve a three‑year term as SRG faculty advisor. She was selected by the UFCD Research Committee and the UFCD Office of Research for her dedication to student development, research excellence and collaborative leadership across the college.
Oliveira succeeds Bernadett Papp, Ph.D., associate professor of oral biology, who has advised SRG since 2021.
A student‑run hub in a rich research ecosystem
The SRG is UFCD’s student‑run chapter of the American Association for Dental, Oral and Craniofacial Research, or AADOCR.
The organization is dedicated to creating “a culture where students are actively involved in scientific research, able to pursue specialty fields, and given opportunities to explore the academic side of dentistry.”
As part of UFCD’s broader research opportunity ecosystem — including the Summer Research Program, student seed grants, the DMD Research Track and the Research Conference Travel Award — the group helps students move from curiosity to designing projects, working with mentors and presenting findings at regional and national meetings.
Strong faculty advising keeps participation and visibility high; since 2021, Papp has been a steady bridge between SRG student leaders and the Office of Research.
Papp’s impact: building pathways and opening doors
Under Papp’s leadership, SRG strengthened ties with the Office of Research and expanded support for DMD students presenting at scientific meetings.
Papp and the leadership at the Office of Research established the Research Conference Travel Award.
As the college’s first funding mechanism dedicated to UFCD students who present at professional research conferences, this award opens doors for national visibility and early experience as investigators.
“Dr. Papp’s dedication, knowledge and experience were central to the success of the SRG and propelled the group to the national level,” said Valeria Gordan, D.D.S., M.S., MS-CI, UFCD’s associate dean for research. “We remain grateful for Dr. Papp’s insightfulness and commitment to the advancement of student research at our college.”
A revitalized, nationally recognized SRG
Re‑established in 2010, the SRG quickly gained momentum under faculty advisor Shannon Wallet, Ph.D., maintaining strong membership and emphasizing engagement in dental research.
By 2012, the UF chapter earned national recognition for member recruitment and participation, culminating in the 2018 Outstanding Local Student Research Group Award for comprehensive excellence.
Under the guidance of Papp, the SRG also become a pipeline for national leadership within the AADOCR’s National Student Research Group, or NSRG.
UFCD students have been elected as secretary, regional representative, councilor‑elect and, most recently, AADOCR/NSRG president‑elect and president. SRG‑affiliated students also routinely place among top prize‑winners at the Hinman Student Research Symposium and AADOCR/NSRG events.
The group maintains a close integration with UFCD’s annual Spring Synergy, where students present posters and oral research; many advance to national competitions.
In conjunction with the 2022 Spring Synergy, student leader James Jang organized a virtual meet‑and‑greet with Lawrence Tabak, D.D.S., Ph.D., then acting director of the National Institutes of Health, showcasing SRG’s reach beyond campus.
Looking ahead: Oliveira’s role and vision
Oliveira joined UFCD in 2019 as a clinical assistant professor after serving as a visiting professor and post‑doctoral researcher and was promoted in 2024 to clinical associate professor in the Division of Operative Dentistry.
With a background in chemistry and medical device testing, her work spans basic science and translational research in dental materials, including red‑light curing and photobiomodulation in operative dentistry.
As faculty advisor, Oliveira will mentor SRG members, support the executive board, assist with programs and events such as Spring Synergy, and serve as liaison to the Office of Research.
Student leadership remains at the heart of SRG. The 2025–26 executive board — led by President Natasha Patel and officers representing activities, service, advocacy, finance and multiple DMD classes — invites UFCD peers to connect with their organization and take advantage of pre-doctoral research opportunities.
“We welcome Dr. Oliveira as she steps into this vital role and are confident that she will advance the mission of SRG,” Gordan said. “Our students and the research enterprise stand to benefit from her insight and guidance.”
With Oliveira’s appointment, UFCD aims to sustain SRG’s role in cultivating new investigators and leaders in dental academia, practice and policy.