Training future researchers in craniofacial and oral health
Official title: Minnesota Craniofacial and Oral Health Research Experience
Funded at University of Minnesota · NIH-10978215 · Data updated 2026-11-12
The Minnesota Craniofacial and Oral Health Research Experience (MnCORE) is a fun summer program for college students who want to learn about and help improve dental health by working on exciting research projects with expert mentors.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Minnesota NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Minneapolis, United States) |
| Project start | December 5, 2022 |
| Project end | November 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $130,152 |
| NIH project number | 5R25DE032529-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10978215 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are undergraduate students interested in pursuing careers in dental and craniofacial research.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not undergraduate students or who are not interested in research careers may not benefit from this program.
What this research studies
The Minnesota Craniofacial and Oral Health Research Experience (MnCORE) is designed to inspire and train the next generation of researchers in the fields of craniofacial and oral health. This program offers a ten-week summer experience at the University of Minnesota, where undergraduates work closely with experienced mentors on research projects related to immunology, biomaterials, and bone biology. Participants will engage in seminars, learn about dental career paths, and develop essential professional skills, all while contributing to meaningful research in oral health.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to advancements in craniofacial and oral health, ultimately improving patient care and treatment options.
How similar studies have gone: Similar training programs have successfully fostered new talent in biomedical research, indicating a positive precedent for this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Minnesota
Minneapolis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mansky, Kim Carpenter — University of Minnesota
- Study coordinator: Mansky, Kim Carpenter
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Coordinated Oral Health Promotion for Chicago Kids
A long-running study in Chicago is following children and their caregivers to find ways to reduce tooth decay and improve daily life for families.
-
Digital adolescent dental health program to reduce tooth decay in at-risk youth
A digital program designed for lower-income 7th and 8th graders to help them avoid tobacco use and sugary drinks to lower the risk of tooth decay.
-
Improving how schools deliver tooth care for kids using existing data
This project analyzes past school-based dental care data to help more underserved children get effective, affordable preventive treatment.
-
Host genetics and oral microbiome: big-data clues to oral health
A large study will combine human genetics, saliva bacteria, and health records to understand why oral diseases like cavities and gum disease occur in different people.
-
Understanding dry mouth in adults using AI to read electronic records
A new project uses AI to find adults with xerostomia in medical records and predict who will have worse oral health outcomes.
-
Oral health effects of buprenorphine and methadone in people with opioid use disorder
This project will explore how common MOUD medicines like buprenorphine (including dissolvable forms) and methadone may affect oral health in people with opioid use disorder.
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.