Where student research takes center stage.

At UAB School of Dentistry, research isn’t just part of what we do—it’s the main event. Scholars Symposium is our premier annual showcase, where students step into the spotlight to present groundbreaking work across the spectrum of oral health, dental, and craniofacial research.

Organized around our five clusters of scientific expertise, the symposium highlights both bench and clinical research, offering a dynamic platform for exploring the methods and discoveries shaping the future of care. Each year, a nationally recognized keynote speaker headlines the event, joined by one of our own expert faculty members who shares insights from their leading-edge work.

More than a presentation—this is a celebration of curiosity, innovation, and the next generation of scientific leaders. At Scholars Symposium, research truly takes center stage.

Want to showcase your research?

Research presented is the work of students -- dental and graduate students, residents, postdoctoral fellows, and college students -- completed during their enrollment at UAB.

A call for abstracts is distributed each December and includes details about participation. Students submit abstracts through the online submission following symposium guidelines. Once approved, each participant prepares a poster describing the background, objectives, results, and conclusions of their research project. Judges from the UAB research community review the presentations, and awards are given in basic science, clinical science, table clinic, and scholarly activity categories.

Join us at our next symposium. We can't wait to see you there!