UPSTART Summer Research Program

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UPSTART Summer Research Program

Group picture of UPSTART students and mentors standing at the intersection of two flights of stairs.
UPSTART 2024 Students and Mentors with Guest Lecturer, Mateus Rocha, Dr. Pia Kirk (Interim Dean, School of Dentistry) and Dr. Jason Griggs (SOD Associate Dean of Research)

The Undergraduate and Professional Student Training in Advanced Research Techniques (UPSTART) summer research program provides an opportunity for eligible dental, pre-dental, pre-graduate and high school students to participate in faculty-mentored research at the University of Mississippi School of Dentistry. Throughout the program, participants benefit from weekly seminars focused on research methology. The experience concludes with a symposium showcasing student research presentations. Additionally, participants are encouraged to present their projects at the annual School of Dentistry Research Day. 

UPSTART Summer 2025

UPSTART 2025 program details and application information will be available February 21, 2025 with applications due by March 19, 2025. 

Please email program director Dr. Salazar Marocho to be placed on the mailing list. Please email Millicent Bingham if you need more information about particular projects or the abstracts for the projects. For intellectual property reasons, we cannot email the abstracts to you. 

Please Note:

  • We recognize that DMD and DH students have limited number of hours available to participate in research during the summer. Therefore, DMD/DH students can participate for a reduced number of hours in projects that list more than 12 hours per week as requirement. In these instances, they will collaborate as a team. 

For more information: