School of Dentistry

School of Dentistry SURP (SODSURP)

The SODSURP program is directed at students with a strong interest in pursuing a future career in dentistry. Students will have the opportunity to work with researchers and clinicians focusing on research topics with direct relevance to oral health and patient care. Students will also have the opportunity to participate in seminars designed to provide exposure to a wide range of oral health research topics and to educate students on how to apply to dental school.

The SOD Summer Research Program for Undergraduates matches college sophomores, juniors, and non-graduating seniors with faculty scientists to conduct dental research in labs throughout The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston.

Each year, undergraduate students from Texas and across the nation spend 10 weeks during the summer gaining intensive hands-on laboratory experience under the direction of seasoned faculty researchers and teachers. All undergraduate students work at least 40 hours per week in a research lab. All program participants also attend weekly seminars on cutting-edge biomedical/dental research topics. After the 10-week program, students write a brief abstract describing their project.

Stipend

Participants in the program are paid a stipend for the 10-week period.  The current stipend is up to $1,500 (based on availability of funding).  This stipend is not a salary – it is meant to subsidize students so that they may gain research experience.  Students pay for housing from these funds.  Stipends are paid in conjunction with the UT payroll schedule.  Paychecks will be issued on the 1st and the 16th of each month.

Application

College Undergraduate Application – available Feb 1 – March 1 (11:59 pm Central Standard Time – CST) only. You will not be able to submit applications before this time. Supporting documents, including letters of reference and transcripts, must be submitted on-line along with your application by March 1 (11:59 pm CST).
Application Form

Abstracts
Calendar
Faculty Mentors

Eligibility

At the time of application, undergraduate students enrolled in any accredited U.S. college or university during the current academic year may participate, but must NOT have graduated at the time the program begins. With AP credit, freshman can apply to the program as long as the freshman has 12 hours of science credit by March 1 (11:59 pm CST) of each year.

To qualify for this program, an undergraduate student must be a United States citizen or an international student enrolled at an accredited undergraduate institution in the U.S. All undergraduate students must be 18 years of age by the start of the SRP program. All undergraduate students are to perform at least 40 hours per week in a research lab.  Students must submit transcript(s) during the application process.

The following items must be submitted online at the time of your application process:

  • Official transcripts (if unofficial, printed page must have source of where document has been printed, ie. name of school or registrar’s office, etc.)
  • Two letters of reference (must come directly from the writer).  Name and email information are needed to complete this section of your application.  An email from the application system will be sent to these two references asking to submit your reference before the deadline.  The letters of reference can come from a professor, employers, volunteer director etc.
  • A personal statement is required at the end of the application.  Please review the guidelines (located in the area before the Personal Statement block) and prepare your personal statement BEFORE beginning the application. Note that you cannot save an incomplete application form and continue later.

Supplemental information, including transcripts and letters of recommendation must be submitted online by the March 1 (11:59 pm CST) deadline.  Your application will not be considered complete, and not considered for admission, if you miss this deadline.  Your application form MUST be in “Submitted” status in order to be considered.

Program Requirements

  • Mandatory attendance at orientation.
  • Attendance at weekly enrichment and seminar-series lectures (written assignment required for missed lectures – no more than one absence allowed).
  • Completion of 10-week program (encompasses 40-hour work week; no vacation is to be scheduled during the program with exception of May 27th, June 19th, and July 4th holiday).
  • Completion of lecturer and program evaluations.
  • Abstract submission.
  • Mandatory attendance at closing program.

Permanent Residents & International Students

Permanent residents are eligible to participate in this program but must meet the requirements for a Social Security card / number. In addition, they must contact the UTHealth International Affairs Office at 713-500-3176 PRIOR to the first day of the program to ensure proper documentation is received by the university.

International Students are also eligible to participate and must meet the following requirements before the first day of the program:

  • Must be enrolled at an accredited U.S. university.
  • Must have valid Social Security number and card BEFORE applying.
  • Accepted international students must show a passport, I – 94, I – 20 and evidence (letter or notation on I – 20) of permission from the International advisor of your University. Call 713/500-3176 for more information.
  • You will be required to provide these documents or any other documents as stipulated by the United States government to the UTHealth Office of International Affairs BEFORE you are allowed to start the program.

Immunizations

Copies of immunization records must be provided once a student has been accepted into the program. Required immunizations:

  • Hepatitis B
  • Meningococcal Vaccine
  • MMR
  • Diphtheria/tetanus
  • PPD Skin Test
  • Varicella

Contact Us

Program Coordinator: Ms. Mary Kim
School of Dentistry
7500 Cambridge, Ste 4401
Houston TX 77054
Email: Mary.Kim@uth.tmc.edu
Telephone: 713-486-4082

Senior Program Manager: Mrs. Linh Trinh
Summer Research Program
6431 Fannin JJL 315B
Houston TX 77030
Email: Linh.H.Trinh@uth.tmc.edu
Telephone: 713.500.5105
Fax: 713-500-0603

Website update as of 2/20/2024