Dental Research Experience (D-REX) Program for high school students, undergraduate students, and high school science teachers

Overview

The University of Maryland School of Dentistry (UMSOD) is an intellectually rich and inspiring place to nurture and motivate students in pursuing careers in oral health care and dental, oral, and craniofacial research. The Maryland Program in Dental Research Experience (D-REX) of the UMSOD is supported by the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR). D-REX is a full-time, intensive, hands-on summer research program addressing the unmet need of building a strong community-rooted workforce in dental and craniofacial health care, research and education.

This workforce is critical for improving the oral health of our community. D-REX will recruit high school and undergraduate students, and science teachers strongly interested in biomedical science to experience a nine-week, one-on-one, mentored research course in the laboratories of UMSOD. The goals of D-REX are to foster student interest in oral and craniofacial research and to disseminate oral health science through the participation of high school teachers.

 

How to Apply

Applications for the 2026 D-REX program are open. To apply, complete the Application for Summer Research Program, attach your letter of interest and academic transcript. Applicant should also arrange to have two letters of recommendation from their teachers, advisors or superiors submitted to Hening Ren at hren@umaryland.edu. 

All files submitted should be in Word or PDF format and start with applicants' last name. 

Location ▾

· Program research and activities will be hosted by the University of Maryland School of Dentistry (UMSOD) at the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) campus in Baltimore City, Maryland.

· Participants will commute to UMB campus using their own transportation, public transportation, or utilizing the three free UMB shuttle services operating in Baltimore city. The D-REX program does NOT provide or arrange transportation.

 

Eligibility ▾

· High school students (junior or senior at the time of the application) enrolled in Maryland public high schools who have strong interests in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM). Minimum GPA of 3.2 (cumulative) with preference for strong STEM GPA of 3.5 or higher.

· Undergraduate students (freshman, sophomore, or junior at the time of the application) enrolled in colleges in Maryland who major in STEM. Minimum GPA of 3.2 (cumulative) with preference for strong science performance. GPA of 3.5 or greater preferred.

· High school science teachers will be recruited based on recommendations from the school districts, and program collaborators.

Selection Criteria ▾

  • Satisfactory grade-point average, and performance in science courses;
  • Demonstrated strong interest in scientific research and academic career; including prior research experience;
  • High school science teacher will be recruited based on their demonstrated dedication to STEM education in public schools and their desire to bring innovation in STEM teaching.

Time and Duration ▾

· Up to nine weeks full-time (at least 8 hours per day, 40 hours per week) in the summer after the end of spring semester and before the start of fall semester.

· Students are expected to spend 80% of their committed time conducting the approved research project and 20% of their time participating in research education and development activities.

· For summer 2026, the program begins on June 1 (Section I) or June 15 (Section II) and ends on July 31.

D-REX mentors and Program Directors ▾

UMSOD faculty from clinical and basic science departments with active research projects will serve as D-REX mentors. Many of the mentors also have interdisciplinary research project and collaborative project within UMSOD and across UM campus.

D-REX Program Directors

Hening Ren, PhD   
Assistant Professor
Department of Oncology and Diagnostic Sciences
University of Maryland School of Dentistry

Norbert Myslinski, PhD
Associate Professor
Department of Neural and Pain Sciences
University of Maryland School of Dentistry

Stipend ▾

  • Participants eligible to work in the US will receive stipend for the time they spend in the program.
  • Student participants will receive stipend up to $5,400.
  • Science teacher will receive up to $12,600 stipend for the 9-week period.