Where do I find these? There is nothing available at my school, and we HAVE to do something over the summer. It is a requirement. So I would like to do some entry level type of research in case I want to specialize later on. What kind of stuff is out there for a DS1? I have never done any before, but I am up there as far as class rank if that is a requirement. Can anyone help??? Where do I go to find these opportunities? The chair of the science dept has already told me that the research at my school is full cause there is only one project going on....ANYTHING WILL HELP! Thanks in advance.
Research opportunities
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unlvdmd said:
Go to the NIH website and find our home institution -- NIDCR (national institute of dental and craniofacial research). See if you can still apply for the summer fellowship. You get to do research with some of the best researchers of our field at the NIH for the summer.
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Wait, so at UNLV, every single student is forced to be a lab slave for at least one summer? That's a pretty tall order, especially if it has to be in a dental lab. What if some students can't afford the extra travel expenses? Or what if you already know you're just plain awful at research?
Anyway, I would just Email profs at different schools whose research you find interesting, explain your situation, and outline what experience you do have. Someone will take you, especially if you're willing to go unpaid.
Anyway, I would just Email profs at different schools whose research you find interesting, explain your situation, and outline what experience you do have. Someone will take you, especially if you're willing to go unpaid.
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No, you don't have to do research. But you are required to do one of the following for summer: research, take an elective class, assist in the clinic, do a mission trip, or do an internship, (or if you failed a class you make it up during this time). You can basically do anything that is approved by the admin. It is actually a pretty good opportunity....
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There IS research at UNLV. I am currently working on 4 projects. I have had to come up with most of them myself. Find a professor willing to work with you on a topic you are interested in. It will take work on your part.
Well Dr. Gailbraith told me specifically that there was only the one research at UNLV main campus and there was a huge waiting list to get it. So I am taking other routes cause I do NOT want to be a suction tech this summer.UNLV OMS WANABE said:
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Trust me, there is other research going on at the dental school. It may not be available for DS-1's for this summer but it is there.
That must be it then. She knows we are DS1's and she said Kingsley has more than enough people. I am just going to ask around the faculty and see what they say. I emailed Sandoval at the end of the day so he might know.... anyway. thanks for the updates. This summer thing is stressing a lot of people out! We want to do something cool! 😎UNLV OMS WANABE said:
unlvdmd said:
As far as you not being aware of research at UNLV, your just not talking to enough people. I know its hard as a first year because all you can imagine for research is biomedical research studies that require alot of lab time. Soon in a year or two you will think the most valuable research is done clinically. And lets not forget educational, and sociological studies. The infrastructure at UNLV for bioscience research is in its infantile state right now, but we have the clinic running and interesting cases studies and surveys being created everday. Its good to talk to galbraith(remember she just works with biosciences) but she is probably only aware of her own projects and a couple of other faculty projects. In May we have our annual poster presentation day, you will see many students who have taken initiative on there own to create research. If your looking for a free ride, to just jump on someone elses project then yes it may be hard right now at UNLV to be involved, but I tell you its not hard to start a project of your own. My poster and research will be at the ADEA conference this next week, published in JDE(abstract). I know of another student who just got the confirmation that he will be published for a project in JADA later this year. These are just a couple of the many examples here at UNLV. What you need to do is find a subject that interests you, do a little reading on PubMed to see what is hot with that subject and then talk to a professor/doctor (they always have ideas they havent had time to work on) about possibilities. Its always better to be the first author than a grunt anyways. I had my research funded and know a student who was funded for his research up to $8,000 too. Research is important not only for the research itself but it looks good on a CV(specialization/educators) and it helps you form good relationships with faculty(the all important letters of recommendation).
I have heard many students say "I just cant find any research to be involved with" This has always bugged me because a little initiative goes a long way. Asking around like you have is a good start.
To be honest, I wouldn't have the faintest idea of what to research on my own. The things that I am interested in would be difficult to do without a prof in an established setting. (at least I would think!) I enjoy craniofacial stuff like the anomalies and the cute kids that go along with that. I emailed Dr. Pourhamidi and she said there are basically 3 schools that have main facilities for that: John Hopkins, Pitt, and UCLA. So I dunno... I looked onto their websites and emailed profs that have research in this department. Do they typically take volunteers to just learn about what they are doing and just help out in small ways? I mean.... come on.... Like I am going to be able to tell a PhD prof something they don't know already!!!!!! Anyway.... any thoughts on the major schools? From those from other schools.. PLEASE post how you got into your research. I am very curious!
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unlvdmd said:
Do you have a children's hospital in Las Vegas? Go there, you can definitely get involved in craniofacial clinical stuff there. If not the dental department, then possibly through ENT or Head and Neck or OMS. Hopkins, Pitt, and UCLA are not the only places where patients with craniofacial anomalies show up, so don't give up and only approach those three institutions.
It will take persistence. I remember as an undergraduate college student, I approached at least 7 or 8 faculty at the dental school looking for a research assignment (unpaid). Everyone booed me because I had no prior experience, even though I was willing to offer them unpaid labor. I finally got a small lab ran by a Head & Neck doctor to give me a chance and it worked out great. As a dental student, you already carry some clout because of the curriculum you're in and the knowledge base you have. You just have to poke around and do a lot of persistent e-mailing and asking before finding something. I know your dental school is new, but I find it hard to believe that there isn't established ongoing research in Las Vegas otherwise, like at a medical school or at a hospital.
Thanks guys. I have emailed a slew of people and are waiting for responses. Mainly craniofacial teams in hospitals, etc. I am just hoping that this summer isn't a dud when we could be doing something really fun (since it is required and all....) This is just so new to me. I feel like a fish outta water! Thanks again!
