Denerick Simpson of Doerun, right, was recently honored as the highest-ranking student in the College of Sciences and Technology at Savannah State University.

SAVANNAH, Ga. — Savannah State University student Denerick Simpson was named the College of Sciences and Technology highest-ranking student during an academic recognition event hosted by the University System of Georgia Chancellor and Board of Regents on March 15.

The academic recognition event highlights the achievement of outstanding USG scholars. The chancellor began the tradition of honoring the top student from each USG institution in 1987. The honoree’s name is read on the floor of the Georgia General Assembly and entered into the official academic record hall of fame.

Simpson grew up in Doerun with his mother, Wendy King Hayes, and oldest brother, Tylarian Simpson. His father is Larry Simpson of Moultrie. He is a product  of the Colquitt County School System where he graduated as a merit honors graduate and as the class vice president of his 2013 graduating class. He was the first African American male senior class officer to ever speak at Colquitt County High School’s commencement services.

Currently, he attends Savannah State University where he double-majors in biology and biology education having being named to the president’s list each semester of his undergraduate studies.

After graduation, Simpson said, he plans to attend dental school as a National Health Service Corps Scholar to pursue a Doctorate in Dental Medicine. In the future, he plans to open his own dental practice that will be committed to public health dentistry and service to the underserved. In addition to owning his own practice, he plans to serve in the Army Reserve Dental Corps and also work part time as an adjunct professor at a university to fulfill his additional love in the field of teaching and research.

Through working in dental offices as a dental assistant and conducting research under dentists and oral biology scientists, Simpson discovered that many individuals do not know that dentistry plays on all areas of medicine and wellbeing. He has learned that poor dental care can adversely affect the entire body system in humans. Therefore, he holds the belief that there is a need for future dental professionals who will successfully treat and prevent oral diseases, but also provide that feeling of relief for those who do not have adequate dental insurance to cover the cost of their care. Simpson plans to implement his goal by accepting all insurances including Medicaid and by providing a sliding fee scale to individuals who cannot afford regular care. Through this initiative, patient’s costs and fees associated with his scheduled treatment will be reduced to an affordable cost based on their income, he said.

This past summer Simpson completed a research internship as a “STAR Scholar” at Augusta University graduate school and has had the opportunity to present his research findings at numerous national conferences. His summer research project, titled “Oral Microbiome Analysis: Murine Model of Periodontal Disease,” was his first research experience completed in the molecular immunology lab of Dr. Christopher Cutler under the supervision of Drs. Roger Arce, Pachiappan Arjunan, Amanda Stadler and Mitul Patel. In addition, Simpson is a certified dental assistant and has been employed with Farrey Family Dentistry under the supervision of Dr. Kajuana P. Farrey for five years. He has had the opportunity to travel with Farrey and her staff to numerous dental conferences to earn continuing education credits most notably the Business of Dentistry conference in Las Vegas, Nev., to learn the dental industry and vital tactics to running a successful dental office. Simpson credits Farrey and her family with being his lifelong mentors and motivation.

At Savannah State University, Simpson along with Savannah State students Lopriela Seabrook and Antonio McMillan founded the Pre-Dental Society after being inspired by a visit to the Dental College of Georgia Impressions program. The organization has a goal of guiding students who are interested in the field of dentistry, giving back to the community, hosting hygienic seminars, providing shadowing and networking opportunities and preparing for the dental admission test.

He is also a resident assistant, a Peach State Louis Stokes minority participation scholar, a 21st century student ambassador in the Savannah-Chatham School System and has served as a member of the brotherhood Collegiate 100.

Simpson said he believes his success is due to his love of Christ. He is a member of the First African Baptist Church in Doerun, under the spiritual leading of the Rev. Willie Love.

Simpson has received recognition, acceptance into and financial support from several organizations, honor societies and scholarship donors.

He plans to take a gap year before starting dental school in Fall 2018 to complete his remaining education courses and student teaching while accepting a promotion as a head resident assistant in the Department of Housing and Residence Life at his institution to save money for dental school.