previous clayton award winners
2007-2008 Award Winner - Emily C. Carter

Dr. Carter was born and raised in Rochester Hills, Michigan.  She graduated from Saint Louis University in 2003 with a B.S. in Exercise Science.  She then went on to attend dental school at Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska.  There she developed an affinity and fondness for prosthodontics.  After receiving her DDS degree in 2007, she was accepted into the graduate prosthodontics program at the University of Michigan.  She is thrilled about being back in Michigan with her family nearby.  She is especially thankful for her supportive husband, Justin, who is a practicing real estate attorney. 

2006-2007 Award Winner - Jennifer S. Suh

Dr. Suh was born in Seoul, South Korea, and then her family moved to Atlanta, Georgia in 1988. She completed her undergraduate training at the Medical College of Georgia in Augusta, Georgia with a Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene. After graduation, she worked in private practice for two years and decided to pursue further training in dentistry at the Medical College of Georgia. There, her interest in Periodontics and Prosthodontics emerged and her decision to specialize in Prosthodontics solidified. She is ecstatic to start a new chapter in her life in Ann Arbor and she feels very fortunate to be surrounded by knowledgeable, amiable, and supportive professors and colleagues.

2005-2006 Award Winner - George Wei Chih Wu
Originally from Taiwan, Dr. Wu has spent much of his education in North America. After finishing high school in Vancouver, Canada, he graduated Cum Laude with an A.B. degree in biochemistry and minor degrees in Business and biomedical physics from Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri. He subsequently received his D.D.S. degree from New York University, College of Dentistry, in 2003. After completing a GPR program from the Brooklyn Hospital Center and an AEGD program from the University of Rochester, Eastman Dental Center, he decided to pursue a graduate degree in Prosthodontics.

Dr. Wu feels fortunate to have supportive parents, good friends, and teachers to help him continue and complete his education. He is proud to be a member of the Prosthodontics program at the University of Michigan, and hopes that this will be a most rewarding and challenging learning experience.

2004-2005 Award Winner - Averil Mearnic
Averil graduated from the University of Michigan School of Dentistry in May 2004. While here she was awarded the American College of Prosthodontists Undergraduate Achievement Award. She also has a Bachelor of Science degree in Physiology from Eastern Michigan University. She says she is very happy to have been accepted to the University of Michigan Graduate Prosthodontic Program and hopes to obtain a Master's Degree. She would like to practice in the area as well as teach here at the University at least part-time after graduation. Her very supportive husband, Matthew, is a Firefighter/Paramedic for Canton Township. They are currently living in Gregory, Michigan, but hope to move closer to campus and to Canton. Her family lives in Canton, and she says it will be nice to be closer to them. They have two Great Dane dogs that are very affectionate and are quite spoiled.
2003-2004 Award Winner - Bryan Williams
Dr. Williams received his D.D.S. degree from the University of Michigan in 2001. Upon completion of the Graduate Prosthodontics Program, Dr. Williams plans to attend the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas, to further his education in the area of Maxillofacial Prosthodontics. Eventually he plans to return to his native Detroit to continue his practice, splitting time between private practice and a hospital setting. Dr. Williams currently lives in Ypsilanti with his wife.
2002-2003 Award Winner - Rob Schumacher
Dr. Rob Schumacher grew up in White Pigeon, Michigan, where he completed his pre-college curriculum. He finished his undergraduate degree at Asbury College in Willmore, Kentucky. He graduated from the University of Kentucky College of Dentistry in May 2001. Rob is married to Elizabeth, and they have a two-year-old daughter named Ashley. Upon completion of his Prosthodontic program he aspires to earn his National Board Certification in Prosthodontics. He also desires to serve as a missionary, either overseas or here in the United States. Finally, he would like to contribute to the ever-growing body of prosthodontic knowledge through clinical practice and teaching.
2001-2002 Award Winner - Karen-Lee Jones Stewart
I was born and raised in Ann Arbor. I attended Hampton University in Virginia and received a Bachelor of Arts degree with high honors in Biology in 1990. I then attended The University of Michigan School of Dentistry. I earned my D.D.S. in 1994, and then began the Master's degree program in Prosthodontics at the University of Michigan. I am practicing dentistry in Ann Arbor with my father, Lee Jones, part time. I am very glad to have continued my education here at Michigan. Everyone in the department has been very supportive while keeping me focused on my educational goals. My future plans include teaching and practicing part-time in Ann Arbor.