Applications for the 2025 D-REX program are open. To apply, complete the application form for Summer Research Training below, and attach your letter of interest and an unofficial transcript. The letters of recommendation should be emailed to Hening Ren at hren@umaryland.edu. 

Applicant Demographic information​

NIH collect certain demographic information for their funded programs. The definition of these demographic categories can be found through the links below. The applicant should review this information to answer the questions in the application form. ​

• NIH Classification of Race and Ethnicity ​
• NIH Classification of Individuals from Disadvantaged Backgrounds ​
• Individuals with Disabilities​

Letter of Interest

Your personal statement will be shared with potential faculty mentors and serves as an opportunity to present yourself in the best possible light. To help you create a comprehensive and compelling statement, we recommend collaborating with an adult who can guide you through the process.

Your personal statement should be structured into five distinct paragraphs, each addressing the following topics. Please ensure that each paragraph is no longer than a quarter of a page.

1. Introduction: Introduce yourself by providing your name, age, grade, and a brief description of the school you are attending and your community or neighborhood.
2. Career Goals and Aspirations: Share your career plans or goals. We understand that your professional ambitions may evolve over time, so please feel free to discuss your current interests and aspirations. If your goals include pursuing biomedical research, explaining your motivation for this field, whether it stems from personal experiences, volunteer work, guidance from a mentor, or other factors.
3. Academic and Extracurricular Experience: Describe how you have been working toward achieving your career goals. This section should include:
   
   
   • Relevant STEM courses you've taken in high school and college, including any Advanced Placement (AP) courses and their respective grades.
   • Any research experiences you have participated in.
   • Extracurricular activities related to your goals, such as clubs, sports, or hobbies, and how they have contributed to your growth.
     
     
4. Research interest: Is there a specific field or topic of dentistry or biomedical research you are particularly interested in?
5. Your expectations about the D-REX program. What do you want to know about dentistry and dental research by participating in the D-REX program? How could D-REX program help advance your career goal.

Note: Handwritten essays will not be accepted. Use 11-point or larger font.

Letter of Recommendation

• Two letters of recommendation (LOR) are required for all applicants.​
• Student should have at lease one LOR from STEM teacher or research mentor. Science teacher should have at least one LOR from from their superior. ​
• The second LOR should come from a person involved in the applicant’s academic or professional interaction. ​
• Please download the Applicant Assessment Form and ask your person of reference to attach the completed form to the LOR.​
• Please follow up with your person of reference to make sure they submitted the LOR by the application deadline. The LOR should be emailed to hren@umaryland.edu.

Unofficial transcript

• Student should submit their unofficial transcript for the most recent three years (combine transcripts into one file) ​
• All documents should be submitted as PDF file or scanned to PDF using a copy machine or flatbed scanner. Cell phone photo is not acceptable.​
• Name the file: “Applicant lastname_Transcript”