College of Dentistry | University of Florida

Research Opportunities

UFCD provides multiple opportunities for dental students to become involved in research during their academic years.

  • The UFCD Summer Research Program provides incoming freshmen dental students with an interest in research an opportunity to carry out an 8-10 week research project under the direction of a faculty member.
  • Annual Research Day: Students with an abstract and a poster can present their research findings through oral or poster presentations. Cash prizes are given to the top three entries.
  • AADR Student Research FellowshipsOpens in a new window are awarded annually to encourage dental students living in the United States to consider careers in oral health research.

Students can start a research project at any time during their dental school education; many students choose to participate during their D1 summer semester and their D3 year.

SRG Recommendations on Starting a Research Project

  1. Identify a faculty mentor.
  2. Find out about your potential mentor's research background and read their recent publications to make sure that is the area you're interested in.
  3. Have a goal in mind. What do you want from the research experience? Examples include laboratory trainings, poster presentation at the national meetings, publications, or a future career in academia.
  4. Contact the mentor. The best way is to make an appointment and talk to him or her in person.
  5. Confer with your mentor about your goals. Design a research project with your mentor that fits both of your interests, your educational level, and the supplies and equipment available.

National Student Research Group Opportunities

The National Student Research Group (NSRG) provides many opportunities for students interested in research, such as competitions, awards, and research fellowships:

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