UA Little Rock Alumna Uses SURF Grant to Research on the Effects of Bulimia on Human Teeth
Colleen Gilliland, who graduated from UA Little Rock in May with a bachelor’s degree in biology, used a $4,000 grant from the Arkansas Division of Higher Education for the Student Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) program to conduct research on the effects of bulimia on human teeth.
Gilliland conducted her research with the goal of improving dental treatment for patients with eating disorders. By repeatedly exposing extracted human teeth to hydrochloric acid, Gilliland created a simulated bulimia environment. The teeth were then tested using a nanoindentation device to measure changes in the enamel at the nanomolecular level.
Gilliland was first inspired to pursue this research after attending a seminar at The University of Tennessee Health Science Center in Memphis. There, she learned that dentists are often the first to recognize signs of eating disorders, specifically bulimia nervosa, where individuals purge after eating. Stomach acid erodes the enamel of the teeth and causes long-term dental health issues. As an aspiring dental student, this sparked her interest.
The project was also deeply personal for Gilliland. In high school, her best friend struggled with an eating disorder.
“She was practically family to me, and watching her battle anorexia was one of the hardest things I’ve ever experienced,” Gilliland said. “If my research can at all help dental professionals recognize and treat patients with eating disorders, then I’ll be happy.”
Gilliland plans to continue and expand her research as she prepares for dental school, which she intends to begin in 2026 after taking a gap year. She described this project as a great starting point and expressed hope to publish her findings in the Journal of Dental Research or the Journal of the American Dental Association.
Dr. Nawab Ali, biology professor and Gilliland’s mentor, has guided many students through undergraduate research and said he was glad to work alongside her.
“My view on mentoring undergraduate research students is to inculcate among them the scientific discipline and provide them with an opportunity to develop their research skills useful in building their career goals,” Ali said.
Gilliland hoped her research would positively impact the dental field and provide critical knowledge to address this topic.
“The results will hopefully contribute to the development of better clinical strategies for preventing and treating dental erosion in patients with bulimia,” she said.
This story was written by Rian Newman.