The UNMC College of Dentistry reported more than $5 million in extramural research funding in 2024-25, including approximately $2.8 million from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and U.S. Department of Defense. This is an increase of greater than 500% in just three years – the college earned approximately $797,000 in extramural funding in fiscal year 2021-22.
Such dramatic growth in the college’s research enterprise reflects strategic investments in research leadership, faculty recruitment, infrastructure and interdisciplinary collaboration, said Dean Gerard Kugel, DMD, PhD.
“When I became dean, one of my primary goals was to strengthen the UNMC College of Dentistry’s research program and create an environment where our faculty could compete successfully for major external funding,” Dr. Kugel said. “To see our externally funded research grow from less than $1 million to more than $5 million in such a short period is tremendously encouraging. It reflects the quality of our investigators, the leadership we have put in place and our commitment to making research an increasingly important part of the college’s mission.”
The college’s expanding research portfolio includes biomaterials, tissue engineering, regenerative medicine, wound healing, oral and craniofacial biology and other areas with applications extending beyond dentistry into medicine and military health.
“Expanding our research enterprise strengthens the college’s ability to improve oral health and contribute to advances in biomedical science,” said Sangamesh Kumbar, PhD, associate dean for research at the UNMC College of Dentistry. “This progress reflects the dedication of our faculty, staff, residents and students, as well as the value of collaboration across UNMC and with external partners.”
Under Dr. Kumbar’s leadership, the college has strengthened its research infrastructure, expanded faculty engagement, supported interdisciplinary collaborations and positioned investigators to pursue increasingly competitive federal and external funding opportunities. These efforts are creating new opportunities for faculty, residents and students while building a more coordinated and productive research enterprise.
The college’s federal research portfolio is also increasingly diverse. Funding from agencies such as the U.S. Department of Defense, in addition to NIH support, means that traditional dental-school rankings based solely on funding from the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research do not capture the full scope of the college’s research activity.
The college also recently secured a $4.6 million Rural Health Transformation award, providing approximately $925,000 annually for five years to expand programs addressing oral health needs in rural Nebraska. Greg Bennett, DMD, serves as principal investigator for the college’s RHTP initiative. The award is part of the college’s broader sponsored-program portfolio and represents another significant expansion of externally supported activity.
Although no standardized national ranking combines NIH, Department of Defense, industry, foundation and other external research funding, the college’s current funding trajectory demonstrates a significant strengthening of its research enterprise.
The growth extends beyond research dollars. Over the past five years, UNMC College of Dentistry faculty and staff have authored 105 scientific publications, three books and five textbook chapters. Research also remains an integral part of the educational experience: every dental and dental hygiene student conducts research, and approximately 20% present their work at national conferences and meetings.
“Research is increasingly central to who we are as a college of dentistry,” Dr. Kugel said. “We have made tremendous progress, but our goal is not simply to increase research dollars. We want to build a sustainable research culture that attracts outstanding faculty, creates opportunities for our students and residents, encourages collaboration across UNMC and ultimately leads to discoveries that improve the health of the people we serve.”