Putrajaya, 6 September 2025 – IMU proudly celebrates the remarkable achievement of Shahad Daood, a final-year student from its dentistry cohort of  DT 121, School of Dentistry, who won first prize in the Oral Presentation Category at the International Association for Dental Research (IADR) Malaysian Section Conference held at Everly Hotel, Putrajaya.

The prestigious event brought together dental researchers, academicians, and students from across Malaysia and several international countries, providing a dynamic platform for the exchange of cutting-edge research and innovation in dentistry.

Shahad’s award-winning presentation, titled “Modification of the Crystal Structure of Dentin Hydroxyapatite Aligned along the c-Axis at the Micro- and Macro-scales: Evaluating the Spin Orbitals,” captivated the judges with its scientific depth, originality, and clarity. Her project explored advanced structural and quantum-level analyses of dentin hydroxyapatite, offering new perspectives that may contribute to improved understanding of tooth biomechanics and future restorative approaches.

Her success is a testament not only to her dedication and presentation skills but also to the strong mentorship she received throughout her research journey. The project was supervised by A/Prof Dr Umer Daood (Principal Investigator), with co-investigators Prof Dr Liang Lin Seow, Prof Dr Igor Blum, and Prof Dr Peter Ove providing invaluable guidance and expertise.

Speaking about her achievement, Shahad expressed gratitude for the support of her supervisors and peers, while reaffirming her passion for advancing dental research. “This award motivates me to continue contributing to scientific innovation that can benefit patients and the wider dental community,” she said.

The IMU community congratulates Shahad on this outstanding accomplishment and looks forward to her continued contributions to dental research and innovation on both national and international stages.