“Do not be afraid to fail. … It is through failing that we learn the most. Take it from a researcher, it is the many hypotheses that fail that ultimately lead us to the big innovative breakthroughs,” Associate Dean of Research Yang Chai, DDS, PhD, told the Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC graduating class of 2019 at its commencement ceremony, held May 10 on the USC Village Great Lawn.

He offered four other pointers on how to lead a successful life in the dental profession, including living in the moment, cherishing your health and loved ones and staying intellectually curious. Chai was joined by commencement speaker Lawrence Tabak, DDS, PhD, the principal deputy director and deputy ethics counselor of the National Institutes of Health.

In total, Ostrow conferred 170 doctor of dental surgery degrees, 41 bachelor of science in dental hygiene degrees, 62 advanced specialty certificates, 16 master’s degrees and two doctor of philosophy degrees.

— John Hobbs