# Craniofacial Oral-biology Student Training in Academic Research (COSTAR)

> **NIH NIH T32** · UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS HLTH SCIENCE CENTER · 2021 · $417,692

## Abstract

Abstract
This application is for renewal of the T32 comprehensive institutional research-training grant
COSTAR (Craniofacial Oral-Biology Student Training in Academic Research). Building on
longstanding institutional research training experience, COSTAR has trained 26 DDS/PhD
students, 41 PhD students, 26 Post-doctoral Fellows, 4 faculty fellows, and 147 summer dental
student research fellows since first funded in 2002. Our outcome measures since 2002 indicate
an outstanding training environment, as documented by publication of 314 peer reviewed papers
by trainees, including Nature and PNAS, and 41 trainees (67%) receiving and transferring to
individual NIH awards (F30, F31, F32, K08, K23, or R21) or equivalent fellowships. Our tracking
of former advanced degree COSTAR trainees, graduates, and fellows shows an exemplary rate
(82%) of retention in research settings, including academic or scientist positions or continued
postdoctoral research training. The COSTAR program has made great strides in promoting
diversity with recruitment of 44% underrepresented minority and 73% women trainees. Based
upon these objective measures of success and our continual self-assessment process, we
propose a renewal for an additional five-year period of support. Our focused goal remains
devoted to train a cadre of highly skilled, interactive scientists who can successfully address the
new opportunities in dental, oral, and craniofacial research and become a part of the future
academic faculty in US dental schools. The COSTAR program will offer three integrated training
tracks:
1) DDS/PhD program, 2) PhD program, and 3) Basic or Clinical-translational Postdoctoral
research fellowships. These three training tracks are provided in three integrated thematic areas
by a highly selected, research intensive, and collaborative, Program Faculty representing the
best mentors across the Dental, Medical, and Graduate Schools at UTHSCSA, and united by
their shared interest in Craniofacial Oral Biology research.
Thus, COSTAR serves as a strong institutional nexus for an exceptional multi- and inter-
disciplinary research and training environment further enhancing the institutional infrastructure
for research in Craniofacial Oral Biology. Highly motivated and dedicated students and fellows
who are selected for research training in the COSTAR program will participate in a series of
COSTAR core courses and experiences that are integrated with programs across the Dental
School and the campus at large. Importantly, COSTAR-sponsored activities yield a strong
programmatic identity, collaboration, and networking among trainees. Trainee development
towards research independence and future success in academic research will be encouraged by
successful submission of applications for individual awards. By formally developing, a tracking
and analyzing plan focused on continuously improving our training program, the COSTAR
Leadership Council and Advisory Boards provide an optimal environment for ...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10197879
- **Project number:** 5T32DE014318-20
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS HLTH SCIENCE CENTER
- **Principal Investigator:** Kenneth M Hargreaves
- **Activity code:** T32 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $417,692
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2018-07-01 → 2023-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10197879

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10197879, Craniofacial Oral-biology Student Training in Academic Research (COSTAR) (5T32DE014318-20). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10197879. Licensed CC0.

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