POCATELLO — Idaho State University’s Leciel Bono, assistant professor for dental hygiene, has been designated as a top author by the Journal of Dental Education.

The prestigious publication selected Bono to receive an Olav Alvares Award for Early Career Scholars Who Published Outstanding Articles in 2018. Each year, the journal awards four authors of remarkable articles written by those who are just beginning their dental hygiene careers, as assistant professors, instructors, residents or students.

Bono is being awarded for her article “Post-Graduation Effects of an Advocacy Engagement Project on Alumni of a Dental Hygiene Program.” She said writing her thesis was “truly a labor of love,” and added, “The mentoring of the faculty during this process is a demonstration of their commitment to student success.”

The Alvares Awards are presented each year at the American Dental Education Association conference. Recipients receive a certificate and monetary award, as well as a photo taken with the chair of the ADEA Board of Directors and current Journal of Dental Education editor, Nadeem Karimbux. This year’s session was held in Chicago on March 17, and Bono was excited to attend.

Bono has had several articles published in the Journal of Dental Education and has provided workshops at its annual sessions.

“This award would not have been possible without the support of my thesis committee Dr. Rogo, Kathleen Hodges, Dr. Frantz, and the ISU dental hygiene master’s program,” Bono said. “I am humbled to be considered for the Olav Alvares Award but I cannot take full credit as it was truly a team effort by my thesis committee, the dental hygiene master’s program and Idaho State University.”

Ellen Rogo, dental hygiene professor for ISU, worked with Bono as her major thesis advisor, working closely with her on research as well as the development of the document that received the award.

“Leciel has the distinction of being a graduate dental hygiene student who developed a theoretical model for the discipline of dental hygiene,” Rogo said. “This demonstrates the exceptional commitment and collaboration between the faculty and students of the dental hygiene master’s program. What we are able to achieve working together, is just one more reason to choose ISU.”

The Olav Alvares Awards began when Olav Alvares launched the awards during his time as editor of Journal of Dental Education to honor and inspire scholars as they begin their academic career. When Alvares retired in 2009, the awards were named after him, recognizing his support and effort he displayed for the journal and early career scholars. Bono’s award marks the third time an ISU student has received an Alvares Award.