Portland Oral Health Research Training (PORT) T32

About This Grant

PROJECT SUMMARY The Portland Oral Health Research Training (PORT) Program at the Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) School of Dentistry develops the next generation of oral health researchers. PORT leverages OHSU’s strong record of mentoring and training, rigorous scientific research, and newly renovated state-of-the-art laboratory and education facilities. The program builds on the School’s strengths in microbial sciences, biomaterials/tissue engineering, regenerative medicine, and clinical and translational research, supported by major NIH funding, including two R35 awards to mid-career faculty. PORT is closely integrated with OHSU’s campus-wide research ecosystem, which includes multiple NIH training programs and partnerships with Portland State University and Oregon State University, providing access to a robust pool of research-experienced students. PORT is facilitated by an institutionally supported prematriculation summer research program for incoming D.M.D. students that creates an early research exposure and provides continuity into advanced predoctoral and postdoctoral T32 training after matriculation/eligibility. The program’s four complementary tracks include: (I) D.M.D. summer research with post-matriculation continuation; (II) D.M.D./Ph.D.; (III) Ph.D. predoctoral training; and (IV) postdoctoral training, including a sub-track with a Master of Science in Clinical & Translational Research. We are requesting five (5) slots for Track I each summer; one (1) slot in Year 1 and two (2) slots in Years 2-5 for the Track II DMD/PhD training program; three (3) slots for the Track III predoctoral training, and four (4) slots for Track IV postdoctoral training. We anticipate that trainees will participate in Track I for eight (8) weeks, Track II for up to five (5) years, or Tracks III or IV for approximately 2-3 years. The goal is that each trainee in Tracks II-IV will apply for and receive individual funding toward the end of their tenure. Training experience emphasizes rigorous scientific reasoning and reproducibility, Responsible Conduct of Research, quantitative and computational methods, and effective scientific communication. Structured activities include seminars, workshops in grant writing, leadership, team science, and presentation skills, and formal mentor training for faculty. Trainees engage in institutional scholarly events such as the Dean’s Seminar Series and OHSU Research Week, develop Individual Development Plans with near-peer and alumni mentoring, and may pursue short, mentored externships to explore research careers across academia, industry, and government/regulatory enterprise. Program evaluation tracks skills acquisition, research outputs, time to degree or next stage, and career destinations, with aggregate training and career outcomes publicly posted on an OHSU webpage. By providing a rigorous, interdisciplinary, and professionally structured training environment, PORT will accelerate the transition of motivated dental, dual-degree, predoctoral, and postdoctoral trainees into productive research and related careers and advance the NIH mission to improve health through discovery.