In the fascinating world of forensics, a young and promising researcher from Yenepoya Dental College in Mangalore, Sheikh Sadaf, is making waves with groundbreaking research. Her project delves into the realm of age estimation through dental analysis, using methods developed by Lamendin and Johanson.

1) Can you tell us a bit about yourself?
Hey there, I’m Sheikh Sadaf, and I hail from Yenepoya Dental College in Mangalore.

2) Could you give us a sneak peek of your research project?
My research dives into the intriguing world of forensics. I’m worked on correlating estimated age with chronological age using Lamendin and Johanson’s method of assessing dentin translucency.

3) What sparked your interest in this unique research topic?
Well, I’ve always been fascinated by forensics – the whole world of bite marks and fingerprints. Plus, I received some fantastic encouragement from one of our department lecturers.

4) How did you come across the ICMR STS program, and what was the application process like?
I got wind of the ICMR STS program through our Dean and some of my professors. They all encouraged us to give it a shot and dive into the research world. The application process was pretty straightforward – we submitted all our documents through their official website.

5) What was the central question or hypothesis you aimed to tackle in your project?
My main goal was to compare the estimated age, using Johanson and Lamendin’s methods, to see which one correlates better with the actual age. Also, I aimed to create a population-specific age estimation formula for Karnataka.

6) Could you walk us through the methods and techniques you used to gather and analyze your data?
We collected teeth with known chronological age and sex from the Department of Oral Maxillofacial Surgery. Then, we used vernier calipers to take precise measurements.

7) Did you collaborate with any mentors or fellow researchers during your project? How did they support you?
Yes, I had the privilege of working with Dr. Sudheendra Prabhu, my mentor from the Department of Forensic Dentistry. He was an incredible support and we made a great team.

8) Any golden advice for future STS applicants to up their chances of success?
To all the aspiring researchers out there, I’d suggest keeping an eye on the latest articles about prevalent diseases or groundbreaking inventions in fields like dentistry and medicine. It’s a great way to stay ahead.

9) Is there anyone special you’d like to give a shout-out to for their support during your research journey?
A big thank you goes to my mentor, my parents, and all the teaching and non-teaching staff who had my back. Not to forget my friends who were there for me every step of the way.

Sheikh Sadaf’s journey is a testament to the power of curiosity, dedication, and mentorship. Her research may well hold the key to advancing age estimation techniques, not only in Mangalore but throughout the region. As she continues to unravel the mysteries of forensics, we can only imagine the bright future that lies ahead for this young researcher.