Creating summer research opportunities in dental and oral health for underrepresented students in Oregon

Opening Dental and Oral Research Summers (DORS) to Scientific Careers throughout Oregon

NIH-funded research Oregon Health & Science University · NIH-11003333

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 typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionOregon Health & Science University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Portland, United States)
Project IDNIH-11003333 on NIH RePORTER

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.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: 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.

Not a fit: Patients who are not undergraduate students or who do not come from rural or underrepresented communities may not benefit from this research.

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 performed: Similar programs have successfully increased diversity in biomedical research fields, indicating a positive precedent for this approach.

Where this research is happening

Portland, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-10 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.