Wilson Dental Library Dr. Clifton & Lois Dummett Research Award

The Wilson Dental Library Dr. Clifton & Lois Dummett Research Award recognizes dental students and residents at Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC who:

1. Demonstrate exemplary research that addresses social determinants of health, health disparities, cultural competency, equitable access, public health, community health, and/or cultural engagement in dentistry and oral health; and
2. Show remarkable skill and creativity in the use of library resources and services. 

Award:

• The awardee will receive a certificate and a $500 monetary award. Funding for the award is made possible through a generous endowment gifted by Clifton O. Dummett, D.D.S. and Lois M. Dummett to the Wilson Dental Library.

About the Donor: 

• Dr. Clifton O. Dummett (1919-2011) was a Distinguished Professor Emeritus of the Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC, where he taught dental history and led the community dentistry department. He was an internationally acclaimed author, researcher, and civil rights leader in dentistry, with a focus on public, social, and community issues and oral health, and the history of Black and African Americans in dentistry.

Questions about the Award:

• Contact Hannah Schilperoort, Head of the Wilson Dental Library, at schilper@usc.edu, with questions about the award. 

To be considered for this award:

1. All dental students, residents, and post-docs who have posters accepted to the Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry Annual Research Day are eligible.
2. You must be a student, resident, or post-doc enrolled in a Dental program at the Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry at the time of submission.
3. Research must be completed as part of a course at USC or completed under the direction of an Ostrow Faculty Advisor.
4. First authors that received the award in previous years are not eligible. 
5. Faculty are not eligible for this award.

Self nominations must include:

1. Completed poster in Microsoft PowerPoint format based on abstract accepted to Ostrow Research Day.
2. Reflective essay in Microsoft Word format describing use of library resources and services.

The research must:

1. Address social determinants of health, health disparities, cultural competency, equitable access, public health, community health, and/or cultural engagement in dentistry and oral health. 
2. Utilize library resources, services, and/or librarians.

Deadline:

• Self nominations due Wednesday, March 26 by noon PST to Hannah Schilperoort at schilper@usc.edu with a Cc to Nicole Tam at tamnicol@usc.edu.
• Awardee will be notified prior to the Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry 2025 Annual Research Day.

Help with your submission:

• See the Research & Reflection Essay Requirements page of this guide for requirements and judging rubrics.
• See the Library Resources & Services page for library resources and services you can highlight in your reflective essay.

This award is open to all eligible individuals. The USC Libraries operates all of its programs and activities consistent with the University’s Notice of Non-Discrimination. Eligibility is not determined based on race, sex, ethnicity, sexual orientation or any other prohibited factor.