Coatings 2021 Best PhD Thesis Award: Announcement and Interview with the Winner

The Coatings Editorial Board and Editorial Team would like to congratulate the winner of the Coatings 2021 Best PhD Thesis Award. Based on the quality of the thesis and its assessment by the Evaluation Committee, we congratulate Dr. Nicholas Fischer as the winner for his excellent thesis and wish him all the best for his future career.

Interview with the Winner

Biographical statement:

Nicholas G. Fischer completed his BSEvs in Environmental Science from Creighton University, where he studied dental adhesives and surface characterization techniques. Nicholas then earned a PhD from the University of Minnesota under Prof. Conrado Aparicio while researching the biofunctionalization of dental restorative materials for soft tissue integration. He holds leadership positions in student groups for the American Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research and the Society for Biomaterials. Nicholas is currently a dental student and visiting fellow at the lab of Prof. Brenda Ogle.

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• What is your current field of research and why did you choose this research field?

My research has three main themes. The first theme is developing strategies to biofunctionalize dental surfaces for improved tissue healing and regeneration. These strategies take advantage of biologically derived peptides and bio-instructive polymers that can be readily deployed in operatories. One example of the materials we have developed is a unique set of polymers that support the formation of cell-matrix adhesive structures called hemidesmosomes. Second, I have a relatively long-held interest in evaluating the long-term durability of adhesives used in dentistry that are a foundational material used by nearly every clinician at every hour of practice. Third, and more recently, I have engaged in collaborative work focused on the evaluation of dental prosthodontic materials. These materials are being rapidly developed but clinicians have little information or guidance on how to properly use them for long-lasting clinical outcomes.

2.

Which research topics do you think are of particular interest to the research community in the coming years?

Personalized medicine and biomaterials (for example, considering sex differences), the integration of large-data techniques, and automated material discovery and synthesis pipelines. Finally, in vitro models and standards’ development is critical to raising the quality and applicability of dental biomaterials. I also hope that some of the deep inequalities present in research, accentuated by COVID-19, are addressed.

3.

Have you ever encountered any difficulties when you conduct research? How did you overcome them?

Indeed, yes, one of the largest projects I have worked on was within a few weeks of being significantly “re-focused.” We had been working on something for almost two years and it still did not work. We set a deadline for when we would re-focus but discovered something else—by accident and good observation—that ended up being more interesting that our original goal. However, we never really achieved the initial goal! Trainees often cannot control poor results, poor access to resources, or poor support. However, strong observational skills and the willingness to leave a hypothesis behind—having learned something new—make it easier to refocus efforts elsewhere. Strong support networks and curiosity enable this too!

4.

What qualities do you think young scientists need?

Embrace your uniqueness and skillset and shape your career around it. There is no “one size fits all” career path.

Job opportunities abound outside of the traditional academic sphere; this extends even outside of “industry.” There is no shame in prioritizing your health, your loved ones, and your values.

A fulfilling collaboration is greater than the sum of the individual parts and results in work that cannot be attributed to a single person.

5.

When and how did you access Coatings? What prompted you to apply for this award?

I first encountered Coatings when I heard about a Special Issue in an area of research I am active in. I originally saw an advertisement for the winner of a previous Coatings award. I had recently defended my PhD, so the timing was perfect to submit my work for this dissertation award.

6.

We are an Open Access journal; how do you think open access impacts the readers and authors?

Open access journals give everyone, regardless of whether they are at a wealthy institution or not, access to the latest information they need. This applies to scientists in the traditional sense but also, for example, clinicians needing answers for a patient or parents of children with a rare disease urgently searching for information. However, challenges still exist for funding open access in a sustainable way that does not continue to reinforce research inequities.