Purpose and Research Opportunities
The DMD-PhD combined degree program was established in 2012, and designed to train future leaders in academic research to tackle clinical disorders related to oral health. Students learn to apply modern research methods in a multidisciplinary environment. One key aspect to the program is that students undergo their PhD training while working part-time to complete their 4th year of dental school, allowing the student to fully develop and maintain all clinical skills. This structure also allows students to balance simultaneously their research and clinical responsibilities, a critical skill for a successful career in academic research.
A second key aspect to the program are the numerous opportunities for PhD research training offered through the UF Graduate Program in Biomedical Sciences within the UF Academic Health Center. This PhD program consists of eight areas of research concentration: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Cancer Biology, Genetics, Immunology and Microbiology, Molecular Cell Biology, Neuroscience, Physiology and Functional Genomics, and Pharmacology and Therapeutics. The faculty of the Department of Oral Biology and other research faculty within the College of Dentistry are members of this program, as are research faculty in the diverse biomedical fields within departments in the College of Medicine, including: Anatomy & Cell Biology, Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Molecular Genetics & Microbiology, Neuroscience, Pathology, Immunology & Laboratory Medicine, Pharmacology & Therapeutics, and Physiology & Functional Genomics.
The DMD-PhD program draws upon the exceptional professional clinical training by faculty in the College of Dentistry while offering students outstanding PhD training by one of the many outstanding research faculty in diverse biomedical fields, many as members of one of the numerous Centers and Institutes of the Academic Health Center. DMD-PhD students receive exceptional training in the methods, collaborative practice and ethics of modern basic science research, but also acquire a solid foundation in oral biology and the opportunity broaden their research expertise in areas that are significantly impacted by oral health and disorders. Successful applicants must be highly qualified for admission to the Graduate Program in Biomedical Sciences as well as to the DMD program.
As a PhD student within the UF Academic Health Center, students have the opportunity to further acquire skills in team-oriented clinical & translational research through two programs offered by the Clinical and Translational Science Institute. The first involves didactic coursework to earn a Certificate in Clinical & Translational Science. The second program is the Clinical and Translational Science Interdisciplinary Concentration. Completion of program requirements results in the award of an interdisciplinary concentration in Clinical and Translational Science. This program combines didactic coursework and mentored research that involves an additional aim or sub-aim of your PhD project that is conducted in collaboration and shared with another PhD student in the Academic Health Center or another UF college (e.g., Agricultural & Life Sciences, Engineering, Health & Human Performance, Liberal Arts & Sciences, Nursing, Public Health & Health Professions, and Veterinary Medicine).
- DMD-PhD: Curriculum Overview
- DMD-PhD: Application Process and Admission
- DMD-PhD: Tuition and Stipends
- DMD-PhD: Advanced Specialty Training Opportunity
- UFCD DMD-PhD Students
PO Box 100424
1395 Center Drive, Rm DG-56
Gainesville, FL 32610-0424
Office: 352-273-8856
Email: fgibson@dental.ufl.edu