Career Opportunities in Research

Research is an integral component of the mission and an important part of the predoctoral program at Texas A&M Health Science Center Baylor College of Dentistry. All interested students are encouraged to participate in research activities. The Office of Research and Graduate Studies is available to discuss specific opportunities.

The main mission of the college's student research initiatives is to aid the dental school in providing the public with dentists who are not only excellent clinicians, but scientists as well. By involving students in research while at school, HSC-BCD hopes to stimulate the dental field's future practitioners to take an active role in the scientific process. This experience equips them with the ability to critically evaluate the vast volume of dental and research literature.

Benefits of student research include the chance to experience the excitement of research in modern biomedical, biomaterials and clinical sciences; a chance to travel to national research meetings; and the opportunity to list publications on a resume.

Most student research projects are supported with HSC-BCD funds or National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research stipends. To be eligible for these funds, students write a grant application in collaboration with a faculty mentor. The application is then reviewed by the College Research Committee.

For those who decide to pursue careers in research, HSC-BCD offers a number of other research training programs. These include a doctorate in biomedical sciences, postdoctoral fellowships, a Clinical Faculty Research Development Program and, in conjunction with the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School, a National Institutes of Health-funded K12 Clinical Scientist Development Award.

For more information, contact the Office of Research and Graduate Studies at 214-828-8344.