UFCD awarded $3.5 million oral biology training grant

The University of Florida College of Dentistry has received a five-year, $3.5 million grant from the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research to continue the colleges research training program in oral biology.

The National Research Service Award Institutional Training Grant in Oral Biology helps support the colleges efforts to satisfy the continuing need for multidisciplinary oral health researchers and addresses the critical shortage of patient-oriented oral health researchers.

Led by William P. McArthur, Ph.D., a professor of oral biology and program director, the grant will support training in the latest biological approaches to study the causes and develop treatments or cures for oral diseases and conditions. Shortly after the grant was funded, an additional supplementary training position from NIDCR was added to train individuals to address the effects of the interactions of behavior and biology in health and disease.

“The receipt of this award is a recognition of the excellent interdisciplinary graduate training environment provided by the world-class scientists and research programs at the College of Dentistry,” McArthur said. “The NIDCRs financial support for the ongoing research programs at the University of Florida will result in both the training of a multidisciplinary workforce to meet the future research needs of this country, and help catalyze interdisciplinary investigations into current oral health problems.”

The program will produce basic biomedical researchers and clinical scientists and help bridge the gap between basic science and clinical treatment.

“Research trainees at all levels provide a source of enthusiasm and naiveté that tends to fuel the enjoyment and excitement in doing research,” McArthur said. “This award is a very positive addition on multiple fronts to the academic research efforts in oral biology and related areas at the University of Florida.”