Third-year dental student Karen Likar was accepted into…not one, but two…of the nation’s most prestigious research programs sponsored by the National Institutes of Health.

Since she could select only one, however, Likar chose the year-long Howard Hughes Medical Institute Scholars Program.

She is the first U-M School of Dentistry student to participate.

After completing her summer studies in Ann Arbor, Likar will begin her studies on the NIH campus in August and will finish next June.

Established in 1985, the program gives outstanding students at U.S. medical schools…and more recently, dental schools…an opportunity to spend a year on the NIH campus in Bethesda, Maryland conducting basic, translational, or applied biomedical research under the direct mentorship of a senior NIH research scientist.

Prior to arriving at the School of Dentistry, Likar graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Notre Dame in 1999. Afterwards, she worked for two years as a medicinal chemist at Pharmacia Corporation in Kalamazoo before the company was acquired by Pfizer.

“A Difficult Decision”

“Deciding which of the two programs to attend was a difficult decision to make, because both have a strong research component to them,” she said. 

 “Since both programs run about the same time, I was forced to choose one. It wasn’t an easy decision, but I finally selected the Howard Hughes Medical Institute Scholars Program because it more closely fits my interest in ‘bench science’ research.”

Her other choice was the Clinical Research Training Program, a year-long program designed to attract the most creative, research-oriented medical and dental students to the NIH campus.

Growing up in Pittsburgh, Likar said she always wanted to work in a profession that allowed her to combine her interest in science and a desire to help others.

After earning a bachelor’s degree, she worked as a medicinal chemist at Pharmacia in Kalamazoo and also shadowed a dentist in South Bend. “I knew the first afternoon I was at the dentist’s office that this was the career for me. The profession, I thought, had everything I was looking for. It combined science with my desire to help others, provided a great deal of autonomy, and I really liked the fact it’s a very hands-on profession,” she said.

Likar said that after her first year in dental school she was surprised at how much she missed working in a lab. “I thought if I could find a dental school that allowed me to do some research while working for a dental degree, I would have the best of both worlds.”

In mid-December 2002, Likar learned about the Howard Hughes Medical Institute Scholars Program from Dr. Charlotte Mistretta, director of the School’s Oral Health Sciences PhD program.

“The idea of doing biomedical research and being paid to do it as an NIH resident definitely caught my attention,” she said. “I applied for the position that same night.”

Likar’s application was one of approximately 200 applications the NIH received. Although she was one of about 80 students called to the NIH campus for an initial interview, she didn’t get the job.

But she didn’t lose heart.

Trying a Second Time

Encouraged by several School of Dentistry faculty members, Likar re-applied in early January.

“I figured I had nothing to lose trying a second time,” she said. “This time, I think I was better prepared.”

She recalled several mock interviews with Drs. Mistretta, Marilyn Woolfolk, Laurie McCauley, and Paul Krebsbach.

“All interviewed me at the same time. Their questions were very thought-provoking, rapid-fire, and pretty intimidating,” Likar said. “I was thinking afterwards, ‘No way you’re going to get into the program this year either.’ But, in retrospect, the mock interviews were a big help in preparing me for the two group interviews I had on the NIH campus.”

As one of approximately 80 students flown to Bethesda for interviews, Likar said only four or five were from other dental schools.

“I found myself answering a lot of questions from medical students about some of the hot topics in dental research,” she said. “So I gave them overviews of what’s been going on with subjects such as implants, osseointegration, and diabetes and oral health.”

Since Likar also worked this summer as a research assistant in Dr. Jacques Nor’s laboratory, “I also told them about some of the angiogenesis research now being conducted and its implications for oral cancer therapy.”

Now, Likar was feeling more confident about her chances for success.

Possible Areas of Research

During interviews with NIH doctors and scientists, Likar said she was interested in using her year on the NIH campus to focus on cell or structural biology. “My skills as a medicinal chemist will definitely come in handy in any of those areas,” she said.

“I may also want to explore the angiogenesis process in greater detail. One lab I toured when I interviewed is investigating different imaging techniques of receptors involved in angiogenesis, and the scientists in the lab are looking to design a drug to fit those receptors. That really interested me,” she said.

In March, Likar learned she was one of approximately 40 accepted in the Howard Hughes Medical Institute Scholars Program. A short time later, the second invitation to participate in the Clinical Research Training Program arrived.

“I’m really looking forward to spending a year on the NIH campus,” she said shortly before leaving Ann Arbor. “I’m going to focus on areas that interest me. I’ll also be working under the direction of a mentor, as well as have a chance to establish personal and professional friendships with peers from across the country.”

She will have plenty to keep her busy.

In addition to a weekly journal club meeting, Likar said there will be daily seminars on the NIH campus open to her and other research scholars, weekly addresses by scientists to her and others in her group, and opportunities to present weekly updates on her research activities.

Missing Graduation with Classmates

However, Likar admits that she will miss not being able to graduate with her classmates next spring.

“I’ll return to Ann Arbor in the summer of 2005 and earn my dental degree the following May.  And since I don’t know as many students in the Class of 2006, in many ways, I will be starting over. But I certainly plan to stay in touch with my closest friends who will graduate in the spring while I’m in Bethesda.”

Likar’s achievement has not been lost on others at the School of Dentistry.

“I’m extremely proud of Karen and what she has accomplished,” said Dean Peter Polverini. “That one of our own students was invited to participate in this program speaks volumes about Karen as a person as well as our School.”

Dr. Charlotte Mistretta was equally enthusiastic. “Karen has been a real go-getter as long as I’ve known her. I have no doubt she’ll make the best of her year at NIH.”

Dr. Jacques Nor said he “feels very fortunate to have worked with Karen in her summer research program. Karen is a bright and dedicated young scientist. I’m certain she will be a great ambassador for our School at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute.”