NYMC Faculty Mentor Future Dentists Through Immersive Summer Research Experience

Since 2018, GSBMS has opened its laboratory doors each summer to dental students completing their first year, providing more than 60 dental students a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in scientific discovery. Working alongside expert faculty mentors matched to their interests, participants conduct biomedical science research, gain hands-on laboratory experience, and contribute to ongoing scientific investigations.

“As a dental student, we spend a lot of time learning about the structures of the mouth. I wanted to learn more about the overall body. Going a few inches down and learning about the heart was amazing. It broadened my understanding of systemic health,” said Christopher Isaacs, left, second-year dental student at TCDM, who joined the lab of Marcello Rota, Ph.D., vice chair and associate professor in the Department of Cell and Molecular Physiology. There, he analyzed electrocardiogram data to identify arrhythmias and evaluated cardiac systolic and diastolic function using echocardiography.

“Students have such great experiences,” said Margarita Diaz, assistant director of admissions at TCDM. “They come back and let us know how much they’ve learned. Some of them go on to do other research programs at the dental school and a few have been published in research journals.”

Each fall, program participants present their research findings to the TCDM community, showcasing the results of their work and contributing to the broader exchange of scientific knowledge. Through the program, they develop a deeper understanding of laboratory best practices, the value of interdisciplinary collaboration, and the critical role research plays in advancing clinical care and drug development. The program has grown in popularity in recent years, attracting increasing interest from undergraduate students across Touro University who are eager to gain hands-on research experience in the GSBMS laboratories.

“Research is such a vital part of an academic institution, and we are so proud of our students who have engaged in this summer elective,” said Ronnie Myers, D.D.S., dean of the TCDM and professor of dental medicine. “The future of oral health is dependent on individuals who take research as a career path.  It is our hope that exposing these students early in their career that they may continue down this important road.”

The research opportunities available through the program span a wide range of disciplines, from cardiovascular science to neuroscience. In the lab of Jonathan Fisher, Ph.D., associate professor of cell and molecular physiology, Division of Neuroscience, Claire Lee, a second-year dental student, drew on her background in physics and started developing a computational pipeline to map and validate targeted neuromodulation using Focused Ultrasound Therapy. Lee said her experience in the lab sparked a growing interest in research and the pursuit of an academic career.

“I want to conduct more research,” she said. “I know this is just the beginning. I’m continuing my research with Dr. Fisher in the fall as well. I’m excited and want to pursue more academia in my dentistry.”

"Providing students with meaningful research experiences early in their academic journey is one of the most effective ways to inspire the next generation of scientists and health care leaders. By working alongside experienced investigators in our laboratories, these students gain hands-on exposure to the scientific process, develop critical thinking skills, and learn how collaborative research drives discoveries that improve patient care," said Salomon Amar, D.D.S., Ph.D., vice president for research and professor of pharmacology and of pathology, microbiology and immunology at NYMC and senior vice president for research affairs at Touro University. “It’s exciting to see the synergy between the dental students and NYMC faculty.”

Beyond gaining exposure to cutting-edge research, many students discovered meaningful connections between their summer projects and concepts they had learned in the classroom. For most of the dental students, it wasn’t the first time they worked with NYMC faculty members. Dong Sun, M.D., Ph.D., professor of cell and molecular physiology, An Huang, M.D., Ph.D., professor of cell and molecular physiology, Dr. Fisher, and Dr. Rota, among other NYMC professors teach courses at TCDM.

“It was surprising to me how much of the knowledge applicable to my research this summer was based on Dr. Sun’s lectures in our dental physiology course last year,” said Rachelle Lee, a second-year dental student, who evaluated carotid artery compliance in experimental subjects with metabolic syndrome. “It was interesting to see how concepts that once seemed abstract on lecture slides came to life through my hands-on research experience and I was also able to see how it can have a real-world impact.”

That connection between research and patient care was a recurring theme among participants. “As a health care professional, everything you do is grounded in research, said Elizabeth Peters, a second-year dental student, who researched the effects of metabolic syndrome on vascular function alongside Dr. Huang and Dr. Sun. “There’s no way to practice health care without research. In dentistry, you’re working on the teeth, but you really are working on the whole patient. Everything is connected. A lot of health issues are seen first in the mouth, so having the foundation and knowing how the body works, while also contributing to advances in research, is important because you want what is best for your patients.”

 "Providing students with meaningful research experiences early in their academic journey is one of the most effective ways to inspire the next generation of scientists and health care leaders. By working alongside experienced investigators in our laboratories, these students gain hands-on exposure to the scientific process, develop critical thinking skills, and learn how collaborative research drives discoveries that improve patient care," said Salomon Amar, D.D.S., Ph.D., vice president for research and professor of pharmacology and of pathology, microbiology and immunology at NYMC and senior vice president for research affairs at Touro University. “It’s exciting to see the synergy between the dental students and NYMC faculty.”