DCG periodontist is one of four women to receive prestigious dental award

Ana Carolina Morandini, DDS, PhD, recently made history as one of only four women to receive the Sigmund Socransky Young Investigator Award presented by the International Association for Dental Research in Barcelona, Spain.

The award is named in honor of one of the most influential scientists in periodontal research, and, according to the IADR, it recognizes young researchers under the age of 40 who are members of the Periodontal Research Group, do not yet hold full professorship or chairmanship and have made significant advancements in periodontal biological or clinical research.

It is considered the highest accolade in the field and has been awarded to one distinguished researcher almost every year for 30 years. 

Morandini said the nomination was an honor in itself, and she wasn’t expecting to win the award or the $2,500 prize that came along with it when she attended the association’s general session back in June. 

“I felt a mix of gratitude, honor and surprise. I felt humbled and honored because that room was just full of my heroes,” Morandini said. “I am so thankful because I grew up in science, reading the work of the scientific leaders who were there, and I felt very fortunate to be considered among these important scientists who are true inspirations to me.”

Morandini has completed important studies to further advance periodontal research, ranging from studying periodontal fibroblasts as sentinel cells during oral inflammation, purinergic signaling and inflammasome, oral inflammation and renin-angiotensin system, immunobiology of dendritic cells in periodontitis and more.

She and her co-principal investigator, Erivan Ramos Jr., DDS, PhD, have also recently received a nearly $2 million grant from the National Institutes of Dental and Craniofacial Research to study the causal relationship between gum disease and metabolic dysfunction.

“We learn every day at work. We know how hard it is to persist in science. We try our best to advance research, to perform with responsibility in our projects, improve grant applications to give back to the community, to educate our students and involve students in research,” she said. “And I think this is just a reflection of what we’ve been doing. It’s a testament that, when you plant the seed, someday harvesting will come.”

Being one of the only women to receive the award brings awareness to the strides women are making in the male-dominated field, while highlighting the need for more representation.

“It’s not like it was many years ago. We have a lot more women representation, we are progressing, we have more pay equality and respect. But still, we have a long way to go,” Morandini said. “I didn’t know I was one of four. Actually, when I went to receive the award, there was one female in the front row who complimented me, and she said, ‘There are not many women who have won this award before, so I think you should feel very happy about this.’ I didn’t realize it until she said that.”

This is also the first time a faculty member from Augusta University has received the award, adding the institution to a short list of universities around the world and shining a spotlight on AU and DCG as prestigious research facilities and desirable schools for those who want to pursue careers in health sciences.

“This is certainly something that benefits Augusta University and puts its name on the spot. The students, the faculty, the staff – we are the university. We shape it, we carry the values and the mission of it,” Morandini said. “It’s the people who make the school, so I do think it has a significant positive impact for the university as a whole.”

DCG Dean Nancy Young, DMD, feels that this award is a reflection of the esteemed faculty that make up the college, and everyone at the school benefits from having a researcher and educator like Morandini.

“This recognition is truly a magnificent testament to Dr. Morandini’s profound contributions and unwavering dedication within the field of periodontology,” she said. “And it reflects precisely the caliber of innovation we champion here at AU.”

Morandini is thankful not only to AU and DCG for their continuous support, but to her family, students, supporting staff, collaborators and mentors who helped her every step of the way. 

“Without the support of AU and the Dental College of Georgia, none of this would be possible. I am grateful because I’ve had great mentors throughout my life. When you start as a junior faculty, you need some mentoring from more senior and more experienced investigators, and I’ve had this at AU. So, I have only good thoughts and grateful feelings for the institution – I think they support us entirely.”