Steven Davis is a fourth-year dental student at the University of Michigan School of Dentistry, from Gladstone, Mich. He has an associate’s degree in liberal arts, a bachelor’s of science in biology and physiology, and a master’s of science in biology from Northern Michigan University. His master’s thesis was titled O6-methylguanine-DNA Methyltransferase (MGMT) Gene Silencing Using RNA Interference and Sensitivity to Temozolomide (TMZ.) The purpose of this study was to determine if RNA interference could decrease the level of MGMT expressed by human malignant glioma cell lines and if the cells are rendered more sensitive to TMZ. Steve is currently working on a clinical research project involving the influence of vitamin D status on periodontal surgery outcomes, in a retrospective analysis.

His parents, Tom and Cindi, both teachers, constantly pushed him to be the best he could be and never settle for “good enough” academically and personally. His mentor, Dr. G. Scott Kelly, of Gladstone, was his first influence in the field of dentistry, and has been a source of continued support through his many accomplishments. During his undergraduate career Steve was able to shadow and observe Dr. G. Peter Kelly, of Marquette, which allowed him to broaden his knowledge in the area of periodontal surgery.

His two advisors during his master’s degree at NMU, Richard Rovin, M.D., and Robert Winn, Ph.D., taught him the importance of time management skills and the need to be inspired and passionate about he was doing. As Steve says, “The best advice I can give to dental students or anyone thinking about a career in dentistry is to be passionate, involved, and attentive, because you’ll never know when an opportunity will present itself, or what it will look like. Dentistry allows me to give back to my community. I am passionate about helping those in need and providing a valuable service.
 
“I feel very lucky to be selected as the MDA Foundation Scholarship recipient for 2011 out of the highly qualified candidate pool. The financial assistance has allowed me to purchase more clinical based textbooks to help me build my foundation in clinical science and techniques.”

Steve has attended this year’s Midwest Society of Periodontology annual session in Chicago, the Ramfjord Symposium in Ann Arbor, and a Detroit District Dental Society meeting in Livonia. “I greatly appreciated the interactions with practicing dentists and listening to current topics at hand affecting dentistry at the regional, state and local levels,” Steve says. “I would like to get involved with organized dentistry at some point in my career.”

Steven loves the outdoors and enjoys canoeing, fishing, Nordic and alpine skiing, curling, running, and cycling. In his spare time he builds cedar strip canoes with his Dad, and continues to find time to work on new projects.

Steven Davis is a fourth-year dental student at the University of Michigan School of Dentistry, from Gladstone, Mich. He has an associate’s degree in liberal arts, a bachelor’s of science in biology and physiology, and a master’s of science in biology from Northern Michigan University. His master’s thesis was titled O6-methylguanine-DNA Methyltransferase (MGMT) Gene Silencing Using RNA Interference and Sensitivity to Temozolomide (TMZ.) The purpose of this study was to determine if RNA interference could decrease the level of MGMT expressed by human malignant glioma cell lines and if the cells are rendered more sensitive to TMZ. Steve is currently working on a clinical research project involving the influence of vitamin D status on periodontal surgery outcomes, in a retrospective analysis.

His parents, Tom and Cindi, both teachers, constantly pushed him to be the best he could be and never settle for “good enough” academically and personally. His mentor, Dr. G. Scott Kelly, of Gladstone, was his first influence in the field of dentistry, and has been a source of continued support through his many accomplishments. During his undergraduate career Steve was able to shadow and observe Dr. G. Peter Kelly, of Marquette, which allowed him to broaden his knowledge in the area of periodontal surgery.

His two advisors during his master’s degree at NMU, Richard Rovin, M.D., and Robert Winn, Ph.D., taught him the importance of time management skills and the need to be inspired and passionate about he was doing. As Steve says, “The best advice I can give to dental students or anyone thinking about a career in dentistry is to be passionate, involved, and attentive, because you’ll never know when an opportunity will present itself, or what it will look like. Dentistry allows me to give back to my community. I am passionate about helping those in need and providing a valuable service.
 
“I feel very lucky to be selected as the MDA Foundation Scholarship recipient for 2011 out of the highly qualified candidate pool. The financial assistance has allowed me to purchase more clinical based textbooks to help me build my foundation in clinical science and techniques.”

Steve has attended this year’s Midwest Society of Periodontology annual session in Chicago, the Ramfjord Symposium in Ann Arbor, and a Detroit District Dental Society meeting in Livonia. “I greatly appreciated the interactions with practicing dentists and listening to current topics at hand affecting dentistry at the regional, state and local levels,” Steve says. “I would like to get involved with organized dentistry at some point in my career.”

Steven loves the outdoors and enjoys canoeing, fishing, Nordic and alpine skiing, curling, running, and cycling. In his spare time he builds cedar strip canoes with his Dad, and continues to find time to work on new projects.