Sul Ross student researches 21st Century dental practices

ALPINE Interests in dental practices both present and future are a part of Sul Ross State University student Lucia DeLaRosa's McNair Scholars Program research.

DeLaRosa's project, "Reshaping of dental practices in the 21st Century," involves studying laser use. Her project, based on instrumentation, was extremely broad, so she chose lasers as the focus of her research.

During her research, DeLaRosa learned the specific uses of different lasers and how much they can improve the dental field.

Her involvement in the McNair program is giving her a chance to be exposed to the dental world prior to going to a dental school. Her project is more of a "hands-on" experience rather than just research.

Chris Ritzi, Sul Ross assistant professor of biology, meets with DeLaRosa at least twice a week to review any information she has gathered, investigate new sources, and work on compiling her review paper on the topic.

DeLaRosa's project differs from the typical research-driven topics.

DeLaRosa is a biology major at Sul Ross, which provides a solid base of pre-dental subjects. Along with being in the McNair program, she is also participates in the 3 plus  4 Plan program, newly designed for students interested in the dental field.

The program is designed to get students into dental school, and is associated with the University of Texas San Antonio Health Center, which is one of the best dental schools in the nation.

The 3 plus  4 Plan allows students to attend Sul Ross for three years, and then transfer to the dental school of their choice. Once accepted, they attend that school for one year as an undergraduate, then graduate three years later with a doctor of dental surgery degree.
"Lucia is the first student here at Sul Ross to be taking part in the DEAP program, which lets her complete her bachelor of science degree in biology at Sul Ross and her DDS in dentistry from University of Texas San Antonio Health Science Center in a total of seven years," Ritzi said.

The program requires a minimum 3.4 grade point average in science classes, all pre-requisite classes passed, and an 18 on the dental admissions test.

After taking the test, DeLaRosa will have met all the entry requirements.

UTSA Health Science Center has accepted her, and she will attend UTSA after she completes her studies at Sul Ross.

The McNair Program, named after African American astronaut Ronald E. McNair, who perished during the 1986 launch of the space shuttle Challenger, is designed to assist low income, first generation, and/or under represented students earn doctoral degrees.

The program assists students to prepare for and pass the GRE, LSAT, and MCAT tests, as well as apply for doctoral programs at other institutions.

The McNair program also sponsors travel to graduate fairs and symposiums, along with periodic workshops on how to find and secure graduate funding for involved students.

Each student receives free tuition, room and board, and a stipend for summer research.

Each student is mentored by a faculty member appointed depending on field of choice.

Recipients will receive three hours of college credit, and will engage in an intense research project in their field of interest.