School of Dentistry student earns prestigious fellowship

By Joy Turner
University News Services

School of Dentistry student Ryan Edmunds is one of 11 students selected nationwide to participate in the Academic Dental Careers Fellowship Program, ADCFP.

ADCFP is a year-long fellowship that encourages and prepares students for careers in dental education and provides them with opportunities to experience the rewards of teaching.

“I feel honored to have been chosen as a fellow in this program,” said Edmunds. “This will be a wonderful opportunity to experience academics.”

Students who participate in the Academic Dental Careers Fellowship Program participate in training sessions and collaboration meetings with mentors from their respective schools as well as have interviews with faculty and administrators to obtain perspectives on academic careers.

Sharon Lanning, D.D.S., assistant professor of periodontics, will serve as Edmunds’ mentor.

“I look forward to sharing my passion for teaching with Ryan and am honored to have been selected to serve in this capacity,” said Lanning.

Edmunds says he looks forward to working with Lanning as well.

“I came to VCU because of the quality of the people I met while interviewing,” he said. “That impression has not changed over my time at VCU, and I have had a good experience. Dr. Lanning in particular has helped me much and I look forward to working with her during the fellowship.”

Edmunds also will have the opportunity to participate in a teaching practicum where fellows serve as instructors in several settings; a research practicum on a biomedical/clinical research project or a dental education issue and a poster presentation at the American Association of Dental Research/American Dental Education Association annual session.

The VCU School of Dentistry is Virginia’s only dental school and is part of a comprehensive academic health sciences university.