IMDC BDS student wins top research poster prize at HAVOC 2026

ISLAMABAD: A third-year Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) student from Islamabad Medical and Dental College (IMDC) has secured top honors in a research competition, highlighting the growing emphasis on student-led scientific inquiry alongside clinical dental education. Hanzala Kaleem, a member of IMDC’s Student Research Forum (SRF), won first position in the Research Poster Competition at HAVOC 2026, the HBS Annual Vista of Competition, held at HBS Medical College, Islamabad. Kaleem secured the top position in the Research InnovateX category on the third day of the week-long competition, which brought together participants from medical and dental colleges across the Islamabad-Rawalpindi twin cities. The event was held under the theme “Medicine Meets Excellence, ” bringing together students to showcase research, innovation and academic work. Aspirin and bone regeneration at the heart of winning research Kaleem’s award-winning poster, titled “Turning Genes On for Healing: Aspirin’s Epigenetic Role in Alveolar Bone Regeneration, ” explored the potential role of aspirin in influencing epigenetic processes associated with alveolar bone regeneration. The research topic sits at the intersection of dentistry, regenerative medicine and molecular biology, areas that are increasingly attracting attention as researchers explore ways to improve tissue healing and regeneration. Alveolar bone is the portion of the jawbone that supports the teeth, making its regeneration particularly relevant to several areas of dental care and research. For a BDS student, the recognition also represents an early opportunity to present research beyond the conventional classroom and clinical-training environment. Student Research Forum expands research exposure Kaleem’s achievement comes through IMDC’s Student Research Forum, which provides students with opportunities to develop research skills and explore emerging areas of healthcare science. Through the forum, students are encouraged to investigate research questions, develop scientific work and take their projects beyond routine academic requirements. The college’s existing student-research activities include poster-based research opportunities involving students from Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS), Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) and allied health sciences programmes, reflecting a broader effort to expose students to research at an early stage of their education. For dental students in particular, such opportunities can provide exposure to research methodology, scientific communication, poster presentation and emerging areas of oral and healthcare science before they enter professional practice. IMDC links clinical education with research and AI The achievement also reflects IMDC’s broader approach to healthcare education, which increasingly places research and development, innovation and Artificial Intelligence (AI) alongside conventional clinical training. The college’s stated direction is to prepare future doctors and dentists not only to provide healthcare but also to contribute to the evolution of their respective fields through scientific inquiry, technological innovation and evidence-based practice. As healthcare increasingly incorporates artificial intelligence, digital technologies and data-driven research, exposure to these areas during professional education can help students understand how emerging technologies may influence future clinical practice and medical research. IMDC is consequently expanding its educational focus beyond conventional healthcare training to include AI-enabled healthcare, student research and emerging technologies, giving students opportunities to engage with fields expected to play an increasingly important role in healthcare. A research milestone early in a dental career For Hanzala Kaleem, the HAVOC 2026 result represents recognition of research work at an early stage of his professional education. Winning first position among participants from medical and dental colleges across the twin cities places the third-year BDS student among the competition’s leading research presenters and highlights the potential of undergraduate dental students to contribute to scientific discussions beyond their core curriculum. The achievement also underscores the value of creating structured research opportunities within medical and dental colleges, where students can begin developing scientific thinking alongside clinical knowledge. Kaleem’s first-place finish at HAVOC 2026 therefore represents more than an individual competition win. It reflects the potential of student-led dental research, interdisciplinary healthcare innovation and early exposure to emerging technologies to shape the next generation of doctors and dentists. For IMDC, the recognition adds another milestone to its efforts to integrate research, innovation and technology into professional healthcare education. Stay connected with Dental News Pakistan pk/09-Sep-2026/imdc-bds-student-hanzala-kaleem-wins-havoc-2026-research-prize” target=”_blank” rel=”nofollow noopener noreferrer”>Read full story on Dental News