INFORMATION FOR MENTORS

To the Faculty Mentor
Mentorship in the Student Research Program is a serious responsibility. It is time-consuming and requires an enthusiastic commitment to the students and to the program. In addition to tangible evidence of your willingness to make a commitment to the students, mentors must have a demonstrated commitment to scholarship. In all likelihood, the SRP will be your student's first experience with formal research. The success of the student's experience will be measured not only in the outcome of their projects, but also in what they learn from you as a role model. These experiences will help form their perception of scientific research, and in some cases, determine whether a career in academic dentistry is right for them.

Responsibilities of a Mentor:
  1. Allow only one new student and one returning student to submit applications to the SRP with you listed as principal mentor in any one year.
  2. Advise your student on the selection of a topic.
  3. Advise your student on the content and preparation of his/her research proposal.
  4. Assist your student with the preparation of the application. Complete and sign forms as required.
  5. Obtain all necessary approvals (i.e., IRB, UCUCA and FDA) before initiating the project.
  6. Guide and interact with your student throughout the research period. Both you and your student must be available and on site during this time. Remember, students should not be treated as if they were just another pair of hands to put to work. Teach them to think about their projects.
  7. Attend seminars with your student during the research period.
  8. Complete the mid-summer student progress report.
  9. Advise and assist your student with the preparation of the poster presentation and final paper.
  10. Ensure that your student complies with the prescribed deadlines.
  11. Encourage your student to present his/her results at other meetings or to co-publish them, if appropriate.
  12. Assume responsibility for covering any expenses incurred by the student's project that exceed the $500 supply allowance of the program.
  13. Asssume responsibility for covering student travel expenses if you allow them to submit an abstract for a meeting as presenting author.
  14. Communicate with the SRP Committee Chair immediately should your student be unable to fulfill program requirements.
All mentors must be available and on site during the student's active research period!

To view your mentor profile click on the "List of mentors and research foci" tab above.