AADOCR NSRG Councilor Candidate 2026-2027
University of Pennsylvania
Parsippany, PA
Graduation Date: 2028
Reasons for Running
As Councilor, I aim to strengthen NSRG as a national platform for dental students to connect, collaborate, and gain valuable exposure to research that advances the dental field. I will introduce initiatives like the “NSRG Connection Catalyst” program, pairing members across institutions for mentorship, and the “NSRG Chapter Spotlight” to showcase each chapter’s unique contributions, inspiring and connecting members nationwide.
Organizing Penn Dental’s annual Student-Faculty Research Mixer, which brought together 100+ attendees this year, reinforced the power of creating connections across levels of experience and specialization. As President of Penn Pre-Dental Society, I organized large-scale events that quadrupled our membership, built a national network of dental professionals, and distributed 350+ oral hygiene kits to local schools in collaboration with Patterson Dental and Penn Dental. These experiences have refined my skills in program development, outreach, and fostering collaboration—qualities I am excited to apply when organizing NSRG competitions and implementing my new initiatives for the organization.
I'm deeply committed to research and aspire to integrate it into my future career as a dentist. I'm excited to blend my leadership, research, and collaboration skills to effectively represent NSRG at the AADOCR Council and advocate for the vital role of research in dental education.
Research Conducted / Student Activities
Research
Dr. Dana Graves Lab at Penn Dental Medicine (since 2021)
- Received total of $15,500 in stipends: Penn Undergraduate Research Mentoring Program (2021), College Alumni Society Undergraduate Research Grant (2022), University Scholar (2022-2024)
- Publication Title: Osteoimmunology in Periodontitis and Orthodontic Tooth Movement, doi: 10.1007/s11914-023-00774-x (2023)
- Presented at: National Collegiate Research Conference (2022), Penn’s Center for Undergraduate Research and Fellowships’ Fall Research Exposition (2021, 2023)
Leadership Involvements
- Vernon Brightman Research Society
- PDM ASDA
- Philadelphia Oral Cancer Walk & 5K
- Narrative Medicine
- Penntorship
- Residential Advisor
- Penn Pre-Dental Society