Office of Research: Student Summer Research Program

Students who have been accepted into the DDS program for Fall 2009 are invited to apply to the Student Summer Research Program, a ten-week research experience prior to the fall semester. The program is designed for students to plan and perform a research project while receiving mentoring by selected leading research faculty. Projects may fall within a range of disciplines, all relevant to the future practice of oral health care: biomaterials, mineralized tissue, tissue engineering, microbiology, immunology, wound healing, oral cancer, natural products, HIV, dental public health andoral health disparities. By participating, students will be part of the evolution of health practice, one that asks and seeks answers to questions such as:

The Student Summer Research Program is the first formal opportunity for students to conduct research. Students who have participated in the past have often continued their experiences throughout their dental education. A few have chosen to include research in their career goals by joining the combined DDS-PhD dental scientist training program. Participation in research by all University of Illinois at Chicago dental students throughout their education is strongly encouraged for multiple reasons: the research process of formulating a hypothesis and testing it parallels that of the clinical diagnosis. It allows students to develop into clinicians who use evidence and critical thinking to advance their patients health. And it will eventually open pathways for translational research, connecting clinical practice with laboratory research, that will change the practice of dentistry.

Eight positions in the Student Summer Research Program will be offered on a competitive basis. The Office for Research will be accepting applications for the program through April 3rd, 2009. The program will run from June 1st through August 7th. Students selected for the program will receive a stipend.

If possible, students should connect with potential research mentors prior to June 1st to discuss opportunities and begin to develop a project abstract. Time will be set aside on June 1st for students who are unable to complete these steps beforehand. Use this website to learn more about our research faculty or contact Katherine Long (longka@uic.edu) in the research office if you would like additional help identifying potential mentors.

The college research community welcomes incoming D-1 students who are interested in pursuing research to consider joining the Summer Student Research Program by completing and returning an application with resume by April 3rd to:
Katherine Long
Office for Research
College of Dentistry, M/C 621
University of Illinois at Chicago
801 S. Paulina Street, room 402A
Chicago, Illinois 60612

If you have any questions, please contact Katherine Long by email at longka@uic.edu or by phone 312-996-3465.