Episode 51 | Interview with Dr. Nate Lawson Part 1
Nov 7, 2023
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Dr. Nate Lawson, Associate Professor and Director of the Division of Biomaterials at the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Dentistry, discusses his background, mentorship at LSU and UAB, dental school experiences, struggles. They also talk about clinical research on dental materials, fixes for debonded restorations, funding in dental school, and reflections on dental school.
Dr. Nate Lawson shares his journey of balancing dental school with pursuing a PhD, highlighting the importance of social support for overcoming challenges.
Dr. Lawson emphasizes the significance of research in dentistry and its role in evaluating and improving dental practices, showcasing the rewards and challenges of conducting clinical trials.
Deep dives
Dr. Nate Lawson's Dental Journey
Dr. Nate Lawson shares his dental journey, starting with his early exposure to dentistry through his aunt, a pediatric dentist. He discusses his decision to pursue a career in dentistry, his undergraduate studies in biomedical engineering, and his entry into the DMDP-ST program at the University of Alabama Birmingham. Despite facing challenges and juggling responsibilities, such as pursuing his PhD while managing dental school coursework, Dr. Lawson persevered and successfully completed the combined program. He reflects on the difficulties of dental school, the importance of social support, and how his passion for dentistry grew over time.
The Role of Research in Dentistry
Dr. Lawson emphasizes the significance of research in dentistry and its connection to clinical practice. He highlights the approach taken by his mentor, Dr. John Burgess, in conducting both laboratory and clinical research. Through his own research, Dr. Lawson aimed to address clinical problems and evaluate the effectiveness of various dental procedures and materials. He also discusses the challenges and rewards of conducting clinical trials, noting the importance of utilizing research to critically evaluate and improve dental practices.
The DMDP-ST Program
Dr. Lawson provides insights into the DMDP-ST program, a combined dental and PhD program offered at various institutions. He describes the funding opportunities available, such as T32 grants and individual F30 grants, which can help support students pursuing both degrees simultaneously. Dr. Lawson shares his personal experience of balancing dental school coursework, lab work, and his PhD research. While it was a demanding journey, he recognizes the benefits of integrating clinical and research expertise to advance the field of dentistry.
Finding Passion in Dentistry
After completing his education, Dr. Lawson expresses his current passion for dentistry and continuous learning. He highlights the excitement he derives from watching webinars and learning from other dental experts. Dr. Lawson reflects on the challenges he faced during dental school and how his perspective on dentistry has evolved over time. He emphasizes the importance of finding joy and fulfillment in the field, as well as the value of critical thinking and questioning established practices to drive innovation and improvement.
In this first part of this two-part episode, our host Dr. Dennis Hartlieb and guest Dr. Nate Lawson discuss Nate's background, mentorship at LSU and UAB, and his dental school experiences and struggles. Dr. Lawson is an Associate Professor and the Director of the Division of Biomaterials at the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Dentistry.
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