CONHI Ph.D. Student Named Finalist for Prestigious Award

Tuesday, Mar 11, 2025 • Samuel Galindo : CONHI CONNECT

Ahmed Yacoub, a Ph.D. student in the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) department of Kinesiology, has been nominated as a finalist for best presentation by the American Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research (AADOCR) National Student Research Group (NSRG).

Yacoub will share an abbreviated version of his nominated presentation as he competes against six other finalists during the 411 Rapid Research Competition in New York City on March 12, 2025. The competition is part of the AADOCR/ Canadian Association for Dental Research (CADR) Annual Meeting and Exhibition.

Yacoub’s presentation, titled “Semiconductor Dielectric Coatings on Cranial Implants Boost Osteogenesis and Rapid Bone Apposition,” reflects the focus of his research in the UTA Bone-Muscle Research Center and Dr. Venu Varanasi’s Musculoskeletal Nanobiomaterials Laboratory.

“My research focuses on improving bone implants using semiconductor dielectric coatings to enhance bone regeneration,” said Yacoub. “It’s like giving bone regeneration a turbo boost. By using these semiconductor materials, we create a surface that encourages rapid cell attachment and growth, leading to stronger and faster bone formation.”

Yacoub, who holds a master’s degree in Pharmaceutical Technology from Cairo University in Egypt, accomplished a rare feat by being nominated as a finalist.

“This recognition is rare for a Pharmacy graduate in a field focused on dentistry and maxillofacial research,” Yacoub added. “It highlights the impact of our work and the interdisciplinary nature of scientific innovation.”

Associate professor Dr. Venu Varanasi, who has served as Yacoub’s mentor during his time at UTA, shares his enthusiasm for Yacoub’s nomination.

“Mr. Yacoub is training to be a clinician scientist, and it is great to see him being selected as a nominee for such a prestigious award,” said Varanasi. “The reason why it is especially rewarding for me is that my principal charter as an engineer and scientist is to train our future clinician scientist leaders; he is an example of how we can do this at an early stage in his career.”

Yacoub believes his time at UTA has helped him achieve success in his field of study.

“My time at UTA has provided me with an exceptional research environment to develop my skills and expand my scientific knowledge,” said Yacoub. “The support I've received here has undoubtedly opened doors to opportunities like this nomination.”