Brent Vasquez, PhD candidate in the Pitt Dental Medicine Oral and Craniofacial Sciences graduate program, won first runner-up for the University-wide Pitt 3-Minute Thesis (3MT) Competition, representing the School of Dental Medicine.
His presentation was titled “Directing Enamel Development: How Phosphorylated Amelogenin (AMELX) Creates Strong Enamel.” Brent studies how phosphorylation of the Amelogenin (AMELX) protein—an important protein needed for dental enamel formulation—affects the quality of enamel.
His findings thus far have revealed that an absence of this chemical modification of Amelogenin leads to thin, weak, disorganized enamel that is susceptible to acidity and cavities. Hence, this chemical modification is crucial for formation of strong enamel. His work highlights the importance of small chemical modifications of proteins in enamel development, and reveals potential targets for therapeutic interventions in people who experience disorders with their tooth enamel.
Additionally, Brent was selected by the Office of the Provost to attend the Council of Graduate Schools advocacy day in Washington, D.C., where he will attend workshops on higher education advocacy and be able to meet with congressional staffers.