Dr. Matthew P.

Dr. Pastewait is a Distinguished Graduate from the US Air Force Academy, graduating as the top cadet in the field of chemistry. He earned his first Master’s degree from the University of Maryland in College Park. Upon graduation, Dr. Pastewait worked as a chemist for the Air Force Research Laboratory for four years. In this role, he conducted research on the synthesis, characterization, and testing of rocket propellant. In the field of computational chemistry, he used advanced software to design and characterize energetic materials for chemical propulsion systems, and in physical chemistry, he designed experiments to investigate new propulsion applications for next-generation liquid propellants—his research was published in the Journal of Physical Chemistry. He also deployed to Southwest Asia multiple times in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.

Upon his return, Dr. Pastewait entered the Rutgers School of Dental Medicine on the Health Professions Scholarship Program. At this time, he began mentoring and tutoring other dental students in both didactic and clinical courses. He was inducted into the Omicron Kappa Upsilon dental honor society. 

After graduation, Dr. Pastewait worked as a general dentist for three years before applying for an orthodontic residency. While attending the UNC Adams School of Dentistry Orthodontic program, Dr. Pastewait conducted research on cleft lip and palate patients using artificial intelligence software. His team analyzed cone beam CT images to investigate various defect factors. He also used artificial intelligence to develop an automated method for tooth labelling and landmark identification on intraoral scans. Furthermore, he co-authored two chapters of the textbook Machine Learning in Dentistry. 

His education and mentorship skills were further honed when he became the Orthodontic Course Director for an AEGD-1 program. Using his previous research and admissions committee experience, Dr. Pastewait helped residents with their research projects and poster presentations. They performed research in multiple areas, including third molar treatment modalities, the health risks of electronic cigarettes, and advanced pediatric dentistry techniques. He also served as an interviewer and selection committee member for the US Air Force AEGD-1 Program and the Health Professions Scholarship Program.

Dr. Pastewait has experience guiding students in research across biochemistry, biomedical engineering, chemistry, health policy and economics, health services, biomedical and clinical informatics, and data science. Students he has worked with have been accepted to top dental schools, including Rutgers University, Columbia University, the University of Colorado, Midwestern University, Lincoln Memorial University, Medical University of South Carolina, Indiana University, New York University, and the University of Southern California.

As a research mentor, Dr. Pastewait draws upon his extensive research, education, and clinical experience to guide prospective healthcare professionals throughout the research and publication process.