Creating summer research opportunities in dental and oral health for underrepresented students in Oregon
Official title: Opening Dental and Oral Research Summers (DORS) to Scientific Careers throughout Oregon
Funded at Oregon Health & Science University · NIH-11003333 · Data updated 2026-11-12
The Dental and Oral Research Summers program is a friendly opportunity for college students, especially those from rural and underrepresented backgrounds in Oregon, to gain hands-on experience in dental research and community health while being guided by supportive experts in the field.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Oregon Health & Science University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Portland, United States) |
| Project start | January 1, 2023 |
| Project end | December 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $127,469 |
| NIH project number | 5R25DE032536-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11003333 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this program are undergraduate students from rural or underrepresented backgrounds in Oregon interested in pursuing careers in dental and oral health research.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not undergraduate students or who do not come from rural or underrepresented communities may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
The Dental and Oral Research Summers (DORS) program aims to provide summer research internships for undergraduate scholars, particularly those from rural and underrepresented communities in Oregon. This initiative focuses on fostering careers in dental, oral, and craniofacial research by offering hands-on experiences in both laboratory and community settings. Interns will work alongside experts in oral microbiology, dental materials, and tissue regeneration, while also engaging in community dentistry and nutrition research. The program emphasizes mentorship and support from diverse leaders in the field to ensure a rich learning environment.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could help increase diversity in dental and oral health professions and improve health outcomes in underserved communities.
How similar studies have gone: Similar programs have successfully increased diversity in biomedical research fields, indicating a positive precedent for this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Oregon Health & Science University
Portland, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lampi, Kirsten Jeanne — Oregon Health & Science University
- Study coordinator: Lampi, Kirsten Jeanne
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.