The University of Iowa College of Dentistry

The University of Iowa Training Program in Oral Health Research

groups of researchers at microscopes

The objective of the T32 Comprehensive Institutional Research Training Program at The University of Iowa is to develop dental scholars and faculty to become independent researchers and productive investigators in the area of health research, capable of successfully competing for external research support.

The program offers opportunities including summer experiences before entering dental school, short-term training during dental school, and post-doctoral awards. There are also opportunities for junior and mid-career faculty.

Training emphasis includes research programs in the following areas:

  1. Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering (Program director: Dr. Clark Stanford)
  2. Cariology and Fluoride Research (Program director: Dr. James Wefel)
  3. Craniofacial Biology (Program director: Dr. Jeffrey Murray)
  4. Soft Tissue and Oral Cancer (Program director: Dr. Christopher Squier)
  5. Epidemiology, Behavior, Health Policy and Outcomes (Dr. Steven Levy and Dr. Peter Damiano)

Program Directors:

Dr. Christopher Squier, professor of Oral Pathology, Radiology and Medicine, and director, Research and Graduate Studies, manages the training program. The associate director is Dr. John C. Keller, professor, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and dean of the Graduate College. Dr. John Warren, associate professor, Preventive and Community Dentistry, is responsible for the pre-dental summer research and the predoctoral dental research programs.

General Requirements: Applicants must be U.S. citizens or U.S. permanent residents.

Dental Student Short-Term Training Program:
This is designed to expose pre-doctoral students to oral health research and encourage their pursuit of an oral health research or academic career.
Masters and Ph.D. Training Programs:
These involve research training leading to a Ph.D. degree in oral science. This degree is awarded by the Graduate College of The University of Iowa and trainees must meet the requirements for entry to a doctoral program. The Ph.D. will extend over three to five years full-time. In addition to the above programs, the T-32 Program also supports training in the Ph.D. program in oral science (or similar program) for graduates with a B.S. or M.S. degree who wish to pursue a career in oral health research. This is a five-year full-time program.
Postdoctoral Research Training Opportunities:
This program is designed to allow postdoctoral graduates the opportunity to pursue advanced research training in one of the research program areas indicated above. Training positions will be available for up to two years for postdoctoral scholars who have obtained their Ph.D.

Faculty Research Training:

Junior Faculty Short-Term Training and Faculty Development Program:
This provides junior dental school faculty, with the rank of assistant professor or below, mentoring in selected areas of research intended to develop the skills needed to become independent oral health researchers. This program provides support for a three-month period.
Mid-Career Faculty Research Training Program:
This provides two three-month periods of support for tenured faculty researchers who wish to develop new research skills or change their area of research. One goal of the program is to prepare the trainees to submit a K23 or K24 Mid-Career Investigator Award.

Source of Funds:

The T32 training grant is funded by the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, National Institutes of Health. Individuals who are accepted into the program will be eligible to receive a stipend on the NRSA scale, a tuition award, and support for supplies and travel.

Application Procedures:

Persons who are interested should contact the director, Dr. Christopher Squier, to discuss their interests and career plans. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or U.S. permanent residents.