Question: I do dental research right now and...

[Farantino]

---

Members don't see this ad.

I graduated last may with a degree in Biology. This year I'm just working at the Oral Biology department here at Buffalo. Most of the professors here are dentists who are doing research and the research is concerning dentistry. Do you guys recommend that I somehow mention this in my interview? Since I got this job after I filled out my application, I didn't put it down on my application. If you think it's a good idea to say something, how would you go about it?

 

[VClovesteeth05]

I graduated last may with a degree in Biology. This year I'm just working at the Oral Biology department here at Buffalo. Most of the professors here are dentists who are doing research and the research is concerning dentistry. Do you guys recommend that I somehow mention this in my interview? Since I got this job after I filled out my application, I didn't put it down on my application. If you think it's a good idea to say something, how would you go about it?

congrats on the research....i truly miss my days of S. mutans research at the University of Rochester....yes mention it. but have no fear, i am sure they'll ask you what you are doing now (especially if you didn't mention this on your app--they'll be concerned as to what you are doing--they do want to know you are doing something). if they don't ask, bring it up. have you had other research experience? if so this would be a good spot to bring it up, like, in the past i did this, but recently i am working on this.

best of luck!

 

[acceptance]

Yeah! Totally talk about research and briefly explain what is so interesting about it. I think that most of us would have liked to do our research on dentistry-related stuff but, alas, some of us live in lame states without dental programs.

Good luck!

 

[SuperC]

Definitely talk about it... But, beware. Many of the techs and other undergrad students often know very little about what they do. For example, I do a lot of cell culture and it would be easy to get away with just knowing that. But you need to understand EXACTLY what you are doing and be able to discuss it on a professional level....

For example, I am asked; "Tell me about your research?" I say. "Well I have been studying Molecular mechanisms of pathogenesis of Porphyromonas gingivalis." They say, "Can you tell me about your findings, your methods, and how is this related to dentistry?" When you have not read much and are not up to speed you could get tongue tied.

The reason why I say this....
When I started my research, it was tough learning everything from techniques to WHY we actually are doing things. I mean you are working with DMD/PhDs and PhD students who have been at it for years. It is a lot to take in.

The head of the Oral Biology Department (who is also on the board of dental school admissions) told me it is paramount to understand why I do things vs. how to do them.

In a nutshell.... Know your, sh-stuff.
-C

 

[Farantino]

Hey, thanks guys! I will mention it in my interviews then. SuperC, I'm basically doing PCR and I run gel electrophoresis on DNA samples. It is definitely a good idea to know more about your research than what you actually do. I actually used to do research for my school's chemistry department also. I did it for one year and I published two journal articles on the topic of my research.

 

[aphistis]

Definitely talk about it... But, beware. Many of the techs and other undergrad students often know very little about what they do. For example, I do a lot of cell culture and it would be easy to get away with just knowing that. But you need to understand EXACTLY what you are doing and be able to discuss it on a professional level....

For example, I am asked; "Tell me about your research?" I say. "Well I have been studying Molecular mechanisms of pathogenesis of Porphyromonas gingivalis." They say, "Can you tell me about your findings, your methods, and how is this related to dentistry?" When you have not read much and are not up to speed you could get tongue tied.

The reason why I say this....
When I started my research, it was tough learning everything from techniques to WHY we actually are doing things. I mean you are working with DMD/PhDs and PhD students who have been at it for years. It is a lot to take in.

The head of the Oral Biology Department (who is also on the board of dental school admissions) told me it is paramount to understand why I do things vs. how to do them.

In a nutshell.... Know your, sh-stuff.
-C

This is excellent advice. 👍

 

[SuperC]

This is excellent advice. 👍

Thanks!