Our graduate research programs provide training for students who wish to pursue research in oral health and biomedical science. The program has three main research themes Cancer, Bacterial infection and inflammation and Bioengineering.
The programs are housed in the Philips Institute for Oral Health Research located on the medical campus at Virginia Commonwealth University. We are in close proximity to, and collaborate with the Massey Cancer Center, an NCI designated cancer center, the VCU School of Medicine, the VCU School of Dentistry and the Institute for Engineering and Medicine. Candidates will have the opportunity to work with faculty in these centers.
M.S in Microbiology and Immunology
This M.S. degree is a two year program with comprising didactics and research. Graduates may improve their competitiveness for professional programs, PhD program or laboratory positions
Ph.D. in Oral Health Research
The Ph.D. program in Oral Health Research gives students the opportunity to conduct cutting edge biomedical research to help cure human disease. We offer an integrated, interdisciplinary environment with a range of Ph.D. opportunities in cancer, Infection and Immunology, and Bioengineering
Summer Research Program
The Philips Institute Summer Research Program provides undergraduate students with a fully funded 10-week long research internship under the guidance of one of our faculty mentors. This program is for students who wish to do a Ph.D.
D.D.S./Ph.D. in Oral Health Research Dual Degree
The combined D.D.S./Ph.D. degree is designed for students interested in a career in academic dentistry and in translating oral research health research to the clinic. Students will have both a research and a clinical mentor. Students will complete the first two years (preclinical years) of dental school during which they will select their Ph.D. dissertation laboratory. Following completion of the second year of the dental curriculum, students will focus on the requirements for their Ph.D. After completion of their doctoral degree requirements, students rejoin the dental curriculum in the third year of the program.
Prospective students should submit applications to AADSAS for admission to dental school. At the same time, they should apply directly to the Ph.D. in Oral Health Research program for admission and state their interest in the combined program.
For more information about any of these programs, please contact Oonagh Loughran, Ph.D. at oloughran@vcu.edu.