Courtney Chandler

United States

Featured in: Favicon

pnas.org

phys.org

medicalxpress.com Favicon

insidehighered.com Favicon

ktbs.com

asbmb.org

biorxiv.org

Articles

New year, new goals: Advice for grad students

Jan 24, 2025 | asbmb.org | Courtney Chandler

It’s hard to believe we are almost a month into 2025. For me, the transition into a new year means setting new goals for the months to come, and I always include at least a few professional goals on my list. Of course, these goals depend on where I am in my career journey. To get a sense of what professional goals grad students might set for themselves, I spoke with Matt Selby, a fourth-year Ph.D. candidate at Rutgers University in the nutritional sciences department.
Dental Students Celebrate their Matches

Jan 22, 2025 | today.uconn.edu | Courtney Chandler

Fourth-year students in the UConn School of Dental Medicine are celebrating their residency placements for the next year. Known as “the Match,” the Class of 2025 shared where they will be continuing their training after they graduate from UConn. “Our soon-to-be graduates are going to be entering some of the most competitive and desirable residency programs in the nation – and this is a reflection of all of their hard work and dedication,” said School of Dental Medicine dean Dr. Steven Lepowsky.
Facing the challenges of an M.D./Ph.D.

Dec 6, 2024 | asbmb.org | Courtney Chandler

Graduate school is challenging, no matter what degree you seek. Those who want to become physician–scientists face the ups and downs of not just one, but two graduate programs — medical school and a Ph.D. program. To get a better understanding of how M.D./Ph.D. programs work and the unique challenges these students face, I talked to Hayley Powers, a student in the medical science training program, or MTSP, at the Medical College of Wisconsin.
Know Your TMJ: Why it Deserves Your Attention

Nov 21, 2024 | today.uconn.edu | Courtney Chandler

Seema Kurup BDS, MDS, MS is a dentist at UConn Health. November 4, 2021 (Tina Encarnacion/UConn Health)In recognition of National Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Awareness Month, Dr. Seema Kurup, associate professor and division chair of Oral Medicine and Orofacial Pain at the UConn School of Dental Medicine answers the most frequently asked questions about TMJ and temporomandibular disorders (TMD). What makes up the TMJ, or temporomandibular joint?
Who decides when a grad student graduates?

Nov 15, 2024 | asbmb.org | Courtney Chandler

“So, when are you graduating?” Graduate students dread this simple question. Unlike undergrad programs, many Ph.D. programs in the U.S. do not follow standard semester-based plans and can vary from as few as four to as many as eight years — sometimes more. Ph.D. graduation typically comes in the form of a seminar-like thesis defense instead of a ceremony where multiple students receive their degrees. Programs often don’t have a single set timeline.
Students Deliver Free Dental Care at Major Statewide Event

Nov 13, 2024 | today.uconn.edu | Courtney Chandler

Students in the School of Dental Medicine participated in this year’s Connecticut Mission of Mercy (CT MOM) Free Dental Clinic in Waterbury, providing free oral health care to underserved and uninsured individuals across the state. This year, 39 third- year and 14 fourth-year students, along with faculty, provided direct patient care during the two-day event. Eight first and second-year students assisted with patient triage, escort, and post-op instructions.
Students, Trainees Shine at Symposium

Nov 8, 2024 | today.uconn.edu | Courtney Chandler

Students, trainees, and faculty gathered in the Academic Rotunda to celebrate the research achievements of the students in the Skeletal Biology and Regeneration (SBR) and T90/R90 Research Training programs during the 2024 Skeletal, Craniofacial, and Oral Biology Training Program Symposium. “This symposium is a fitting platform to recognize the incredible talent of the program’s students and trainees, said School of Dental Medicine Dean Dr. Steven Lepowsky during the opening ceremony.
Don’t Be Haunted by Halloween Candy Decisions

Oct 30, 2024 | today.uconn.edu | Courtney Chandler

Everyone loves a sweet treat around Halloween, especially if trick-or-treating is involved. Things can turn scary very quickly after a single candy turns into a pile of wrappers. While this can happen to the best of us, it’s important to take the right steps to ensure our candy choices don’t wreak havoc on our teeth. Here are some friendly tips and tricks from UConn’s pediatric dental experts to keep in mind during this candy-filled holiday.
Balancing research and classes in graduate school

Oct 25, 2024 | asbmb.org | Courtney Chandler

Graduate students have many requirements to balance and fulfill. In my Ph.D. program, our first semester was completely focused on classes, and the next three semesters involved lab work on top of classes. During that first semester, it was easy to focus on schoolwork and studying. After that, I had to consider both my lab rotations and studying, which was more challenging. Most grad students must balance research and classwork, possibly on top of other responsibilities such as teaching.
Competing for Student Well-Being

Oct 22, 2024 | today.uconn.edu | Courtney Chandler

For students at UConn Health, prioritizing well-being can be challenging among the many demands of the classroom, research labs, and clinics. This is why the School of Medicine’s Wellness Committee hosted the first annual Husky Bowl, a weekend long Olympics-style event where dental, medical, and graduate students are invited to attend wellness centered activities to earn points for their schools.