“One of the NIH reviewers asked a young aspiring medical scientist, “Why are you, a medical graduate, interested in dental science?” Without blinking, the PhD candidate replied, “Dental science is part of medical science.” And he’s absolutely right.”
Support
Support for students may come from various sources. In some situations where an individual is committed to a particular research area, a student may find support from a faculty mentor’s grant.
Another potential route for support is through the university’s Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Biomedical Sciences. This program offers students an opportunity to experience laboratory rotations with faculty members across departmental lines before selecting a PhD mentor following the first year of studies. This may include a focus in oral biology.
The university provides a fellowship stipend and tuition waiver for the first year of study. Once "matched" with a mentor, the student matriculates in the department of their research advisor and completes additional departmental requirements and a thesis project under the direction of the student's thesis guidance committee. Typically the student’s mentor or department during the second and subsequent years of study provides financial support for the student. It is important to note that students in good standing in the PhD program have maintained a consistent funding rate while proceeding in their studies. You may access additional information and application materials at http://www.smbs.buffalo.edu/bsgp/ProgramandFaculty.html.
Students are also encouraged to submit individual fellowship award applications to appropriate funding agencies. U.S. citizens or foreign nationals may submit individual training award applications to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR). Such awards include the Individual Predoctoral Dental Scientist Fellowship (F30), or the NRSA Individual Postdoctoral Fellowship (F32). Applicants holding a clinical doctoral degree (MD, DDS, DMD, or equivalent) are eligible to submit an application for the Mentored Clinical Scientist Development Award (K08) or the Mentored Patient-oriented Research Career Development Award (K23).
“I was sure I was going to be able to do anything I wanted because of the flexibility of the department. It is open to any research possible.”