Undergraduate Research Opportunities

Undergraduate students who are not enrolled in the College of Dentistry may participate in dental research through the following available research opportunities. University credit is available only to undergraduate students at Ohio State and is subject to the regulations of your individual program.

If you find that any of the research projects described below aligns well with your personal interests, please contact the respective faculty research advisor directly for more information.

Division of Biosciences

  • Faculty research advisor: Gene Leys, PhD, leys.1@osu.edu



    The Microbiology of Oral Infections

    Positions available: payment, volunteer or credit

    Semesters available: continuing

    Project description: We use a molecular approach to understand the complex microbial composition in oral health and disease.


  • Faculty research advisor: Peter J. Reiser, PhD, reiser.17@osu.edu



    Comparative Muscle Biology

    Positions available: payment, volunteer or credit

    Semesters available: continuing

    Project description: This laboratory is focused on studying skeletal and cardiac muscle from a broad variety of species. We examine protein expression patterns and contractile properties of single, isolated muscle fibers and correlate their physiological and biochemical characteristics. We are contributing to a better understanding of the molecular and cellular specializations that underlie the remarkable diversity in muscle functions among vertebrates.


  • Faculty research advisor: John F. Sheridan, PhD, sheridan.1@osu.edu



    Neuroendocrine Regulation of Host Immunity

    Positions available: payment, volunteer or credit

    Semesters available: continuing

    Project description: Viral immunology, regulation of T cell responses during viral infection, cytokine and chemokine gene expression during infection (influenza, herpes simplex and coxsackie viruses). Neuroendocrine-immune interactions; stress-induced modulation of anti-viral immune responses and viral pathogenesis. Aging and the immune response to viral infection. Aging and gene expression during wound healing. Patterns and kinetics of gene expression for cytokines, chemokines and growth factors during cutaneous wound healing.
  • Faculty research advisor: Susan P. Travers, PhD, travers.3@osu.edu



    Studies of the Central Neural Processing of Taste

    Positions available: volunteer or credit

    Semesters available: continuing

    Project description: Neurophysiological studies of oral sensation using single-unit recording techniques; receptive field organization of gustatory neurons; gustatory/oral somatosensory interactions; afferent/efferent relationships in the gustatory system using combined neurophysiological and anatomical techniques and antidromic stimulation; behavioral studies of gustatory function.

Division of Periodontics

  • Faculty research advisor: Binnaz Leblebicioglu, DDS, MS, PhD, leblebicioglu.1@osu.edu



    Periodontal/Peri-implant tissues Interface Biology and Regeneration Outcomes

    Positions available: volunteer or credit

    Semesters available: continuing

    Project description: clinical and in vitro studies investigating diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers to understand periodontal/peri-implant tissue regeneration and homeostasis.


  • Faculty research advisor: Hsun-Liang (Albert) Chan, DDS, MS, chan.1069@osu.edu



    Periodontal Research

    Positions available: volunteer or credit

    Semesters available: continuing

    Project description: Study oral wound healing with advanced imaging, including ultrasound and laser speckle.

Division of General Practice and Materials Science

  • Faculty research advisor: Scott Schricker, PhD, schricker.1@osu.edu



    Dental Biomaterials

    Positions available: payment, volunteer or credit

    Semesters available: continuing

    Project description: Our lab is involved in synthetic polymer chemistry to develop new dental materials and biomaterials. We have ongoing projects to apply new polymer chemistry methodologies to improving dental restoratives and adhesives. Our other interest is in designing well defined polymeric materials to understand the fundamental interactions between materials and living tissue.

Please contact Dr. Scott Schricker, Director of Student Research, at schricker.1@osu.edu for advice or clarification.