Ph.D. Degree in Oral Biology

The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree through the Division of Oral Biology and Medicine trains qualified candidates to become leaders in academic dentistry. As the UCLA School of Dentistry is at the forefront of oral biology research, including craniofacial biology and bioengineering and cancer diagnostics and therapeutics; this program provides the opportunity to learn and contribute to these cutting-edge sciences.

This four-to-six-year program is led by Igor Spigelman, Ph.D., Chair of the Section of Biosystems and Function, and Associate Dean for Research Yvonne L. Hernandez-Kapila, D.D.S., Ph.D.

Ph.D. candidates must complete courses in the Oral Biology Program Core, plus courses designed to build a solid foundation of research experience and laboratory expertise. Candidates will participate in lab rotations and take academic courses the first year. At first years’ end, a research mentor is chosen to instruct them over the next three to four years, as they work towards their thesis dissertation. At second years’ end, students must pass a written and oral exam, the qualifying presentation. A dissertation defense is required before graduation and a midstream exam occurs between these presentations.

• Undergraduate GPA and science-course grades

• Recommendation letters

• Statement of purpose

• TOEFL (required for international applicants)

• GRE score

• Previous research experience & list of any publications

Jesse Saldana 
Admin Operations Manager
Phone: (310) 825-5735
jsaldana@dentistry.ucla.edu