The American Association for Dental Research (AADR) has selected University of Florida (UF) dental student KyuLim Lee as its 2016-2017 Gert Quigley Fellow. Lee is enrolled in the DMD/PhD program and is president of the AADR Florida Chapter Student Research Group.
The Gert Quigley Fellowship is designed to familiarize dental school, PhD, and dual degree students with the federal legislative process as it relates to basic translational dental and craniofacial research, as well as research on the oral healthcare delivery system.
At the 2014 AADR Meeting Johnson & Johnson Hatton Competition, Lee took first place. She also placed second at the IADR Unilever Hatton Competition in Cape Town, South Africa. In 2012, she received her bachelor’s degree in food science and human nutrition from UF.
“This is a wonderful achievement, both for KyuLim Lee and for our college,” said dean A. Isabel Garcia. “I believe this is the first time a UF dental student has been selected for this prestigious fellowship, and we could not be more proud.”
“My research experience has taught me an important aspect of research: a cure for a disease is not discovered overnight. The discoveries result from years of incremental research,” Lee said.
“Being actively involved in both dental research and organized dentistry, I realize participating in the process of how research gets funded is critical,” she said. “Research is the future of dentistry, and advocating the importance of continuous funding for dental research is very important.”
The fellowship includes spending 6 weeks at AADR headquarters in Alexandria, Va, and a yearlong appointment to the AADR Government Affairs Committee. As full voting members, fellows assist with formulating association policy as it relates to the federal budget and other legislative and regulatory activities important to dental research.
“I will be able to learn how Congress is involved in the process of funding research, as well as have the opportunity to advocate and educate members of Congress on the importance of dental research and funding,” Lee said.
“My involvement in research has increased my appreciation for the high quality of dental and medical care in today’s society, so I am truly honored for this opportunity,” she said.
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