Training future dental scientists in engineering and personalized treatments
Official title: Dental-Biomedical Engineering Scholars Training (D-BEST) Program
Funded at Columbia University Health Sciences · NIH-10880369 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This program at Columbia University is all about training future dental scientists to create personalized treatments by combining dentistry with engineering, so they can learn to use the latest technology and research to improve dental care for everyone.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Columbia University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $329,548 |
| NIH project number | 5T90DE032123-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10880369 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this program are dental students and professionals interested in advancing their skills in biomedical engineering and personalized dentistry.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not involved in dental education or do not seek advanced dental treatments may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This program at Columbia University aims to train the next generation of dental scientists by integrating dentistry with biomedical engineering. It focuses on developing personalized and precision treatments through advanced training and innovative technologies. The program includes a state-of-the-art Center for Precision Dentistry that utilizes real-time tracking of clinical activities and integrates dental and medical records. Participants will gain hands-on experience in cutting-edge research areas such as biomaterials and biomechanics.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved dental treatments that are more personalized and effective for patients.
How similar studies have gone: Other programs integrating engineering with healthcare have shown success in improving treatment outcomes, indicating a promising approach for this initiative.
Where this research is happening
-
Columbia University Health Sciences
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wadhwa, Sunil — Columbia University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Wadhwa, Sunil
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Precision phenotyping of emphysema in the elderly: a study in diverse adults
Researchers will look at CT scans and lung tests in older adults to understand different forms of emphysema and how they relate to health outcomes.
-
HPV-based cervical cancer screening and treatment implementation in resource-limited settings
A collaborative project to help doctors in South Africa put HPV-based screening and same-day treatment for cervical cancer into routine care, so more people get fast, effective care.
-
Cervical cancer screening and treatment rollout in resource-poor settings
A team from Columbia and the University of Cape Town is testing how to best implement affordable, same-day HPV-based screen-and-treat for cervical cancer in public health settings.
-
Understanding SCN3A-related Developmental Epileptic Encephalopathy and Finding Better Treatments
This NIH grant focuses on how SCN3A gene variants cause developmental epileptic encephalopathy and aims to develop more effective therapies for affected patients.
-
mChoice: Boosting PrEP Use and Adherence for Black and Latino MSM with Tailored Training and Support
A national study to help Black and Latino men who have sex with men start and stick with PrEP through culturally matched provider training and patient support.
-
M-CaRE: Mobile clinics and a smart heart-lung care tool for multimorbidity
A mobile, multilingual tool plus community health workers will help screen and manage high blood pressure and COPD in diverse adult patients, especially in underserved areas.
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.