Student research
Summer Research
For DDS, DH, & BDH students
Research Projects for summer 2026 will be advertised by March 2026.
The (SRP) aims to build research capacity and training within the Faculty of Dentistry. The projects funded by the SRP will provide research training and experience that will benefit undergraduate Faculty of Dentistry students. While supportive of a broad spectrum of research areas (basic science, clinical, education, community, and population health), this program is intended for students within the Faculty of Dentistry (DDS, DH and BDH).
In 2026, summer research projects will range from 8-10 weeks in duration.
Faculty project proposals will be received on Feburary 16, 2026. Available projects and applications forms will be released for students by early March 2026.
Please contact the Managing Director of Research and Graduate Studies for further information (email: research.dentistry@dal.ca).
ILA Summer Student Research Scholarships OPEN FOR 2026
Applications are open for the 2026 Summer Session
Imhotep's Legacy Academy and The Faculty of Dentistry are pleased to offer an Undergraduate Summer Research Scholarship Award.
For further information on the application process and eligibility please visit
Research Opportunities
1. Project title: "Controlling surface chemistry of biosourced nanoparticles for controlled release of drugs"
Supervisor: Vahid Adibnia, Department of Biomaterials & Applied Oral Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry
Project Description: Nanoparticles are attractive candidates for drug delivery due to their versatile surface properties. They have been used extensively for drug delivery applications for cancer treatment, immunomodulation, and infection prevention. In this project, we aim at developing novel nanoparticles from natural polymeric components that are capable of drug loading and release in a controlled manner. The trainees will gain skills in polymer synthesis, nanoparticle preparation and characterization, drug loading and release kinetics and will be engaged with a collaborative research team to conduct this research.
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2. Project title: 鈥淔abrication of degradable immunomodulatory polyesters for biomaterial applications鈥�
Supervisor: Dr. Locke Davenport Huyer, Department of Biomaterials & Applied Oral Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry
Research Program:
Polymer based biomaterials are foundational to successful medical advances, forming devices used in implantable applications ranging from joint replacement, sutures that resorb over time, to support tissue remodelling as surgical mesh supports, and to deliver drugs in a controlled fashion. While impactful, complications associated with these devices often arise due to non-optimized interaction of material chemistries with the human immune system that often cause prolonged inflammation and alteration of desired medical device use or required removal. Our lab is focused on an improved understanding of how immune cells interact with these material surfaces, and are focused on designing degradable polymer materials that can manipulate inflammation.
Student Role/ Potential Projects
1) Testing a library of electrospun immune-modulatory degradable nanofibre polymer materials based from regulatory metabolites. The student would perform fabrication of novel materials into nanofibre meshes using electrospinning techniques, and characterize their degradative properties (mass loss, metabolite release) according to variation in monomer selection (metabolite and linker).
2) Immunophenotyping of temporal host response to resorbable polymeric materials polyglycolic acid (PGA), polylactic acid (PLA), and polylactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) polymers into implants. The student would investigate the feasibility and reproducibility of polymer fabrication of resorbable materials, and changes in material properties following different implantation timelines.
Requirements and Relevant Background:
We are open to application from diverse backgrounds. Knowledge in areas including immunology, cell culture techniques, polymer materials, and/or organic chemistry is an asset; but lack of research or technical experience in these areas should not prevent students from inquiring about a potential fit with projects if interested.
Contact:
NSERC-USRA (For undergraduate students in other programs) OPEN FOR 2026
Undergraduate Student Research Awards (USRA) are aimed at nurturing your interest and fully developing your potential for a research career in health, natural sciences, and engineering, or social sciences and humanities. These awards are also meant to encourage you to undertake graduate studies by providing research work experience that complements your studies in an academic setting.
海角社区's Faculty of Dentistry has been allocated funding for one NSERC USRA position.
The duration of the award is 14 to 16 weeks on a full-time basis (35 hours per week). Funding (provided by NSERC and the proposed supervisor) provides full-time pay for the duration of the award (minimum wage + 4% vacation pay). The award is payable via Dal payroll.
Eligibility requirements are listed at . Please confirm your eligibility before you apply.
Applications are due March 6, 2026
For information and application instructions please contact research.dentistry@dal.ca