As a leader in dental education and research, HSDM’s educational and research goals and objectives leverage the School’s scientific and clinical resources, as well as strong connections with Harvard Medical School (HMS) and the T.H. Chan School of Public Health.
At HSDM, basic, translational/clinical and global health research scientists work closely in a highly collaborative environment to generate breakthroughs that exemplify science in the service of humanity. Our research programs provide research training to students at all levels. We strive to understand basic biological processes, while directing this knowledge toward a very tangible goal – the translation into new diagnostics, and the prevention and treatment of disease. Such research enables dental medicine to impact new avenues of both basic and translational research and investigation into major disorders, taking dentistry beyond the mechanical techniques, and repositioning the discipline firmly in the realm of modern biology.
Current research programs at HSDM encompass infectious disease/biofilms, functional genomics, craniofacial and bone biology, stem cell biology and regenerative medicine, molecular and mucosal immunology, vaccine development, bioinformatics, tissue engineering, cellular, molecular and developmental biology, human genetics, translational and clinical research, and population-based studies, thus providing opportunities with a broad range of cutting-edge research.
DMD-PhD Program
The goal of the DMD-PhD program is to train future academic leaders of dental medicine with strong research expertise in a broad spectrum of contemporary genetics, biochemistry, and molecular, cellular, and mechanistic biology. The DMD-PhD program is for highly-qualified predoctoral students who are accepted into HSDM’s DMD program and have an interest in conducting rigorous basic research in oral and craniofacial biology and medicine in academic dentistry. The program is part of the HMS Biological and Biomedical Sciences (BBS) MD-PhD program and student candidates will be interviewed by the BBS faculty for admission. Learn more
DMD-DMSc Program
The goal of the DMD-DMSc program is to train future academic leaders of dental medicine with strong research expertise in translational and clinical research focusing on oral and craniofacial biology and medicine. The DMD-DMSc program is tailored for highly-qualified predoctoral students who are accepted into HSDM’s DMD program and have an interest in conducting rigorous translational and clinical research in oral and craniofacial biology and medicine in academic dentistry. The program is funded by a current T90 training program from the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research and eligible students should be U.S. citizens or permanent residents. To learn more email DMD Admissions.
DMSc Degree in Oral Biology
The DMSc Degree in Oral Biology Research offers an unparalleled three-year (minimum) structured Doctor of Medical Sciences (DMSc-only) research-intensive degree in oral biology. Postdoctoral students with an MD, DMD, or equivalent degree will undertake an intensive research training experience under the mentorship of world-renowned scientists. The goal of the program is to train academic researchers in oral and craniofacial biology and skeletogenesis in the best possible scientific environment, and thus provide superior research leadership to institutions and countries around the globe. Learn more
Postdoctoral Training Opportunities at HSDM
Postdoctoral research has long been an integral part of the research success at HSDM. Many postdoctoral fellows trained at HSDM are now filling professorships, chairmanships, and deanships across the country and around the world, continuing the training tradition inspired at HSDM. Postdoctoral fellows will have the opportunity to be trained by investigators at HSDM with research support from federal (e.g., NIDCR, NIAMS, NCI, DoD, Fogarty, and HRSA) and international (e.g., WHO, FIND) sources, as well as from foundation, commercial and state entities.
T90/R90 Institutional Postdoctoral Training Award
Eligible HSDM postdoctoral fellows can be supported by a National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research funded T90/R90 training award. The award includes postdoctoral positions with faculty at Harvard School of Dental Medicine. In addition, two positions are available annually for the DMD/PhD program at HSDM. Support is available for up to three years for postdoctoral trainees and six years for DMD/PhD trainees. Postdoctoral training is offered for clinicians and/or research scientists who seek to obtain collaborative, multidisciplinary experience in basic, translational, or clinical research related to oral and craniofacial diseases, conditions, and disorders.