NIDCR DIR Clinical Training

National Institute Of Dental & Craniofacial Research

Investigators

Linked publications, trials & patents

Abstract

In FY2023, the NIDCR DIR Clinical Research Fellowship program supported the training of 10 dentist-scientists in clinical and translational research studying diseases of the craniofacial systems: Drs. Jose Maldonado, Drake Williams, Joe Nguyen, Shaun Abrams, Madhu Shrestha, David Fraser, Azeez Alade, Natalie Atyeo, Michael Miao, and Flavia Saavedra. Educational activities included the weekly hybrid Dental Clinical Case Conferences featuring clinical and translational science relevant to Dental, Oral and Craniofacial research. Trainees attended national research meetings where they presented data and engaged in professional development. The trainees also attended NIH-wide Seminars including the Clinical Research Seminars, Excellence through Clinical Education Lectureship (ExCEL), Morbidity and Mortality Rounds, Clinical Center Grand Rounds and Great Teachers lectures. The trainees have continued to participate in the NIH-Duke Masters program in Clinical Research. The Clinical Research Fellows highlighted the ongoing clinical research at NIDCR internal seminars and several clinical research training opportunities at the NIDCR and NIH. The training Director, Dr. Jacqueline Mays, met with interested applicants who are considering the fellowship virtually as needed and in-person at the AADOR annual session and individual universities. One fellow completed the program this year and will continue in a mentored faculty position at the NIDCR, and one fellow exited the program to take a university faculty position. Four new fellows joined the program in July 2023. The fellows continue to apply for mentored grants (ie K-awards) to support their transition to independent clinical research and faculty positions and other awards such as the competitive loan repayment program. The fellows continue to be competitive for academic faculty positions and NIH Intramural research opportunities.