ADASRI

Jamie Spomer, PhD
Senior director
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Dr. Jamie Spomer leads the activities of ADASRI's Department of Science Strategy and Applied Research, where she ensures strategic alignment between ADASRI and the ADA. In addition to supervising the department's researchers, she manages the department’s laboratory testing of dental materials and devices, ANSI/ADA standards methods development, and ADA Seal of Acceptance certification of over-the-counter oral health care products. Dr. Spomer's areas of interest include the ADA Seal of Acceptance and ANSI/ADA standards.

(The following profiles are listed alphabetically.)

Kristy Azzolin
Manager of research and evaluation
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LinkedIn, Orcid

Kristy Azzolin manages the operational activities at the ADASRI laboratory in Chicago, including helping to connect dental students and post-graduate researchers with internship opportunities. She helps to develop and implement standards and guidelines for product testing and evaluation, including monitoring dental office water systems. Kristy's areas of interest include infection control and quality and compliance.

Ashley Bowers, MS
Research assistant of chemistry
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LinkedIn

Ashley Bowers conducts research at the ADASRI laboratory in Chicago. She assists with evaluating products for the ADA Seal of Acceptance, developing test methods for use in ANSI/ADA and ISO standards, and developing testing procedures for oral care products. Ashley's areas of interest include desensitization and remineralization, oral care products, ANSI/ADA standards, and the ADA Seal of Acceptance.

Prerna Gopal, BDS, PhD
Manager of microbiology and chemistry
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LinkedIn

Dr. Prerna Gopal leads the ADASRI's efforts to develop new innovative methods for evaluating safety and efficacy of dental products. She is actively involved in research and development of dental standards and manages the scientific operation of the ADA Seal of Acceptance program. Dr. Gopal's areas of interest include microbiology, dental materials, the ADA Seal of Acceptance, dental standards, and infection control.

Max Gruber
Engineering research assistant
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Max Gruber conducts research at the ADASRI laboratory in Chicago. He studies fracture toughness testing of zirconia restorations. Max's areas of interest include additive manufacturing and 3D-printable materials; metallic, polymeric, and ceramic materials for biomedical applications; standards development; and advanced characterization of dental materials using high-resolution electron and synchrotron X-ray microscopy/spectroscopy.

Jeff Huber, MBA
Scientific communication manager
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LinkedIn

Jeff Huber plans and executes dissemination strategies that communicate the value of ADASRI’s work to the larger research community, dentists, and the public. He is responsible for handling media and communications inquiries regarding ADASRI research. Jeff's areas of interest include communications, media relations, and knowledge translation.

Yukiko Koizumi, DDSc, PhD
Research associate, Microbiology
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Dr. Yukiko Koizumi conducts research at the ADA Science & Research Institute laboratory in Chicago. She studies and tests in vitro oral biofilm models for assessment of antimicrobial and cytotoxic properties of dental products and materials. Dr. Koizumi's areas of interest include restorative materials, endodontic materials, antimicrobial materials, infection control, and preventive dentistry.

Lawrence Lett, MS
Research associate, ADA Seal of Acceptance Program
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Lawrence Lett supports the ADA Seal of Acceptance program’s relationship with manufacturers of over-the-counter oral health care products. He also supports the Independent Research Testing Site Qualification program run by the Seal of Acceptance. Lawrence's areas of interest include the ADA Seal of Acceptance, oral care products, and dental research.

Yifeng Liao, PhD
Manager of research and standards
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Dr. Yifeng Liao conducts dental materials and instruments research at the ADASRI laboratory in Chicago. His research focuses on the synthesis, processing, characterization, and application of biomedical materials and dental devices. Dr. Liao's areas of interest include additive manufacturing and 3D-printable materials; metallic, polymeric, and ceramic materials for biomedical applications; standards development; and advanced characterization of dental materials using high-resolution electron and synchrotron X-ray microscopy/spectroscopy.

Henry Lukic
Engineering Research Associate
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Henry Lukic conducts research at the ADASRI laboratory in Chicago. His areas of interest include orthodontic materials, composite and zirconia restorative materials, antimicrobial materials, additive manufacturing in dentistry, and research dissemination and communications.

Spiro Megremis, MS, PhD
Director of dental materials and devices research
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Dr. Spiro Megremis leads a team of scientists and engineers who perform general and applied dental research, including laboratory testing of dental materials and products, using both standard and novel test methods. He and his research group at the ADA hold three patents on dental testing equipment. Dr. Megremis has over 25 years of research experience related to medical and dental materials and equipment, during which time he has published in peer-reviewed journals, written several book chapters, and lectured extensively on the subject of dental materials and equipment. His areas of interest include dental materials, including polymer-based restorative materials and dental zirconia; corrosion and surface sciences; additive and subtractive manufacturing technologies for dentistry; dental instruments and devices, including dental handpieces and curing units; and research translation and dissemination.

Raquel Miera
Engineering research assistant
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LinkedIn

Raquel Miera conducts research at the ADASRI laboratory in Chicago. She studies the physical and thermal behavior of plastic orthodontic materials. Raquel's areas of interest include restorative materials, endodontic materials, and antimicrobial materials.

Christina Tyrakowski, PhD
Senior analytical chemist
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Dr. Christina Tyrakowski conducts research at the ADASRI laboratory in Chicago. She assists with evaluating ADA Seal of Acceptance product submissions, reviews and develops test methods for use in ANSI/ADA and ISO standards, evaluates oral care products for safety and efficacy, and develops testing procedures for oral care products. Dr. Tyrakowski's areas of interest include desensitization and remineralization, oral care products, standards, and the ADA Seal of Acceptance.

Rashad Vinh
Scientific communication specialist
Contact Rashad
LinkedIn

Rashad Vinh plans and executes dissemination strategies that communicate the value of ADASRI’s work to the larger research community, dentists, and the public. He focuses on promoting research conducted by ADASRI’s departments of Science Strategy & Applied Research and of Innovation & Technology Research. Rashad's areas of interest include research dissemination and communications, patient education, and business operations.