The Genetics of Malocclusion

Here, I discuss my favorite Honors Project, a research paper titled "The Genetics of Malocclusion." In this section, I cover the process of completing the project and what skills I gained from it. Published April 2, 2026.

During the Fall 2024 semester, I worked on an Honors project for BIOL-K 322, also known as Genetics & Molecular Biology. Until this point, I had only earned Honors credit through courses designated for Honors credit, so this was my first opportunity to create a project that combined the course content with my interests. As a pre-dental student, I wanted to create a project that looked into the genetic component of an oral health issue. Originally, I wanted to research the genetic component of cavity susceptibility, but after speaking with my professor and conducting some preliminary research, I realized the topic was too specific and that I would have difficulty meeting the requirement of writing five or more pages. After some more brainstorming, I decided that the genetic components of malocclusion were an interesting topic and drafted my Honors contract. To set myself up for success, I created a timeline for completion and an outline for my paper.

Timeline

Outline

Final Research Paper

Over the course of the semester, I spent much time researching relevant scientific papers to learn about the clinical definition of malocclusion from a dental perspective, the negative impact of malocclusion, specific genes associated with malocclusion, genetic syndromes, and treatments. By the time I completed my paper, I had used information from nineteen scientific papers. I read over a dozen other papers, but as I narrowed down the points I planned to discuss, I narrowed down which sources to use. For papers written to earn Honors credit, the paper must be a minimum of five pages. To accomplish this, I planned out specific points I wanted to know more about and made sure I had enough research to provide readers with an adequate amount of information. The full paper can be seen on the left.

Digital Visual Summary

When I was planning my Honors project, I wanted to create a digital visual that would showcase the highlights of the research paper. To do this, I created a Padlet that made the information easier to digest and included a picture with each section to make the Padlet more visually appealing. My intention for this digital visual was for readers to view the summary after reading the paper to see what the key points were. The website can be seen on the right side of the page.

Skills Developed

Time Management - Since this was an Honors project, I worked on it in my spare time while balancing classes, leadership positions in student organizations, and volunteering. I carefully planned my timeline for my project to ensure that I could create a quality research paper that met the expected requirements.

Communication - By meeting with my professor at the beginning of the semester and keeping in contact with him throughout the semester, I was able to get valuable feedback to guide me in writing a successful research paper. My communication skills were also used when I kept my professor informed of my progress and any challenges I encountered.

Organization - Because I utilized many scientific papers, I needed to keep the information organized to know where I wanted to reference the information in my paper and the source from which I obtained the information.

Critical Thinking - As I read through each source, I evaluated how relevant the information was to the topic of my research paper. Additionally, I had to use critical thinking to understand the results of studies, which often contained dental-specific terminology that I was not familiar with. I also kept note of the terms I learned and referenced them as I continued researching.

Utilizing Databases - PubMed was the database I used to find relevant publications. By using Boolean operators, I was able to narrow down thousands of articles to find those that contained the specific information I was looking for.

Scientific Writing - One of the most important skills I developed and refined as I worked on my project was my scientific writing skills. To make my paper a research paper, I had to provide proper evidence to support every point in my paper. Additionally, I wrote in a professional and clear manner.

Reflection

Since this was my first Honors project, I had to learn to overcome obstacles, such as how to find relevant scientific articles and correctly follow the steps to submit my Honors proposal. Additionally, this was the first time I took the initiative to speak to one of my professors outside of class, which seemed intimidating at the time. Since then, I have completed several other Honors projects with various professors in the sciences and the humanities. I have enjoyed each of these experiences because they have allowed me to connect what I learn in class to my specific interests relating to class concepts. My paper, "The Genetics of Malocclusion," set the foundation for my future Honors projects. Because I was successful with this project and earned Honors credit, I gained confidence in my ability to create independent projects. With this paper, I refined techniques to find scholarly articles and find useful, relevant information in them despite the presence of complex terminology. Furthermore, I learned to convey information in a way that readers can understand, regardless of their level of expertise in the topic of my projects. In this way, my projects are accessible to a diverse range of people, whether they are an undergraduate student or a science professor.