The National Student Research Group of the AADR--an introduction

The 2005-06 officers of the National Student Research Group (NSRG) of the American Association for Dental Research (AADR) have summarized their activities in developing the NSRG into an effective organization aimed at fostering future dental researchers. The officers have focused their efforts on establishing opportunities for the pre-doctoral dental student members of the AADR to participate in and formally present their research during dental school. In addition to the many research awards and fellowships already sponsored by the NSRG and the AADR, the NSRG has established new travel awards for students to present at specialty groups' annual meetings. Other recent initiatives have included a contact list of all dental schools, along with local student research group (SRG) leadership contacts, advice during the creation of a new teaching fellowship opportunity, fundraising efforts to support student research and the NSRG infrastructure, and successfully pursuing a student voting position on the AADR Board. A brief addendum detailing recent activities and future initiatives is also included. The article describes membership requirements, selection of officers, and contacts for additional information. We hope that this Discovery! will serve to increase the awareness of students, researchers, and administrators regarding the role of the NSRG.