Dental Research Fellowship Program

The UCLA Dental Research Fellowship Program is a gateway for UCLA dental students interested in scientific explorations to participate in mentored research. With a wide range of exciting research topics under investigation at the School of Dentistry, students in the program can conduct one of four types of research: literature review, basic science research, public and population health research, or clinical research.

Through this enriching and collaborative experience, students will acquire laboratory skills, understand the research process, increase their knowledge in the field of research, develop problem-solving skills, and be inspired to pursue a career in academia and advance oral health through research. Selected student fellows will receive a one-time stipend and a research supplement to help support their research endeavors. Funding is generously provided by the School of Dentistry and the Apollonian Society.

Research Images
Research Images

2023-24 Program Timeline:

  • Letter of intent due October 31  (closed)
  • Fellowship applications due December 4  (closed)
  • Award announcement on December 15  (closed)
  • Fellowship starts in January 2024  (cohort announcement coming soon!)

Successful applicants will receive a one-time stipend of $500 and a research supplement of up to $1,000.

Below you will find UCLA School of Dentistry faculty members eager to work with research fellows to advance their scholarship. Interested students should reach out directly to discuss potential research opportunities.

Beatriz Bezerra, D.D.S., Ph.D.

Available positions: 1-2
Type of research: Literature
Research focus: Peri-implantitis treatment

Vinodh Bhoopathi, 
B.D.S., M.P.H., D.Sc.D.

Available positions: 3
Type of research: Clinical, literature
Research focus: Public health, medical dental integration, health disparities, nutrition and oral health

Insoon Chang, M.S, D.D.S., Ph.D.

Available positions: 1
Type of research: Basic science
Research focus: Dental stem cells and inflammation

Nadia Chugal, D.D.S., M.S., M.P.H.

Available positions: 3
Type of research: Clinical 
Research focus: Data mining from clinical records, systemic conditions, medications, and recurrent apical periodontitis

Jimmy Hu, Ph.D. 

Available positions: 1
Type of research: Basic science
Research focus: Craniofacial morphogenesis and epithelial stem cell regulation

Shen Hu, Ph.D., M.B.A

Available positions: 1
Type of research: Basic science, clinical, literature
Research focus: Nanomaterial research and cancer biology

Anahid Jewett, M.P.H., Ph.D.

Available positions: 2
Type of research: Basic science
Research focus: Tumor immunology and immunotherapy

Karolina Kaczor-Urbanowicz, D.M.D., Ph.D., M.Sc.

Available positions: 2
Type of research: Basic science, clinical
Research focus: Next-generation sequencing, gastric cancer

Yvonne Kapila, D.D.S., Ph.D., F.A.C.D., F.I.C.D., E.L.A.M. Fellow

Available positions: 1
Type of research: Basic science, literature
Research focus: Periodontal disease pathogenesis, oral cancer carcinogenesis, oral microbiome

Julie Kim, D.D.S.

Available positions: 5
Type of research: Clinical
Research focus: Restorative dentistry

Min Lee, Ph.D

Available positions: 1
Type of research: Basic science
Research focus: Biomaterials/craniofacial bone regeneration

Renate Lux, Ph.D

Available positions: 3
Type of research: Basic science, clinical, literature
Research focus: Oral microbiome, biofilms, interspecies interactions 

Sanjay Mallya, B.D.S., M.D.S., Ph.D.

Available positions: 2
Type of research: Clinical
Research focus: Diagnostic imaging efficacy, artificial intelligence

Alireza Moshaverinia, D.D.S., M.S., Ph.D., F.A.C.P.

Available positions: 2
Type of research: Basic science, literature
Research focus: Dental biomaterials, tissue engineering 

Takahiro Ogawa, D.D.S., Ph.D.

Available positions: 2
Type of research: Basic science, literature
Research focus: Implant biology, material science

Mitra Simanian, D.D.S.

Available positions: 2
Type of research: Literature
Research focus: Public health, health disparity, dental and medical integration

Igor Spigelman, Ph.D.

Available positions: 2
Type of research: Basic science, literature
Research focus: Neuropharmacology, chronic pain, drug development

Hung Ton-That, Ph.D.

Available positions: 1
Type of research: Basic science, literature
Research focus: Oral bacteria and
extra-oral diseases

Nini Tran, D.D.S., Ph.D.

Available positions: 1-2
Type of research: Basic science, clinical, literature
Research focus: Early childhood caries, dental caries, oral microbiome, Streptococcus mutant, salivary markers

Yan Wang, Ph.D.

Available positions: 2
Type of research: Clinical, literature
Research focus: Development of statistical models for oral microbiome data, application of machine learning in pediatric oral health, intersection of oral health and HIV/AIDS, global oral health and HIV research

Bo Yu, D.D.S., Ph.D.

Available positions: 2
Type of research: Basic science, literature
Research focus: Bone biology and regenerative medicine

Xinli Zhang, M.D., Ph.D

Available positions: 2
Type of research: Basic science, literature
Research focus: Craniofacial neuroskeletal interface, BMONJ