Dental Student Summer Research Training Program
The purpose of the University of Maryland Dental Student Summer Research Training Program is to provide dental students with the opportunity to gain direct, hands-on biomedical research experience under the mentorship of faculty who are actively engaged in research. Predoctoral students in dentistry at the University of Maryland and matriculating dental students are eligible to apply. The program runs nine weeks and begins the first Monday of June.
All participants receive financial support.
About the Program
- The School of Dentistry recognizes the need to foster student interest in pursuing biomedical research careers. Dental students and matriculating dental students participate in intensive research training for nine weeks during the summer.
- Training includes a hands-on research experience as students become immersed in laboratory culture, receiving formal training in statistical analysis, scientific writing and ethics in science. Students also participate in an exciting seminar series and receive mentoring for biomedical sciences career development.
- Each student’s training experience is specifically designed to meet his or her individual background and the specific nature of the research project.
- Trainees are assigned a mentor and treated as full-time participants in the mentor’s research program.
- Mentors provide guidance and supervision appropriate for the trainee’s degree of scientific maturity and knowledge of the specific subject area.
- In addition to 80 percent hands-on research training, trainees are introduced to formal lectures and seminars on the proper use of animals, ethical conduct in research, human research protection, scientific writing, biological hazards, and laboratory safety.
- Over the course of the summer, trainees present their research as it evolves to an audience of their peers.
- Trainees attend a Research Career Day at the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research in Bethesda, Maryland. They are invited to participate in a discussion with distinguished panelists, who provide their perspectives on research careers and answer questions.
- The goal of the summer research training program is to plant the seed for producing the health care professionals who will be the leaders in oral and craniofacial health care in the 21st century.
All University of Maryland students enrolled in programs leading to a DDS degree are eligible for research training support.
Admission Criteria
Program admission criteria for dental students:
- Satisfactory grade-point average, DAT scores, and undergraduate performance in biological science courses;
- Prior research experience;
- Demonstrated interest in biomedical research;
- Class standing (for students already enrolled in dental school).
How to Apply
Applications for the 2026 Summer Research program are open. To apply, complete the Application for Summer Research Training, then attach your letter of interest and at least one letter of recommendation. If preferred, the letter of recommendation can be emailed separately to Nicki Mitchell - nmitchell@umaryland.edu.
We will also request your DAT scores and/or transcripts from your dental school application. Students enrolled in dental school should send a current transcript and letter of recommendation.
Application Deadline
The deadline for applying to the 2026 program and submitting the aforementioned required materials is April 3, 2026. ALL applications will be reviewed after the April 3rd deadline.
University of Maryland School of Dentistry Office of Research Administration
650 W. Baltimore St., 6th Floor
Baltimore, MD 21201
Ms. Nicki Mitchell
Senior Academic Service Specialist
Summer Research Training Program
410-706-6915
|nmitchell@umaryland.edu
