AADOCR NSRG Vice-president Candidate 2026-2027
University of Louisville
Louisville, KY
Graduation Date: 2027
Reasons for Running
My purpose in running for an NSRG officer is to provide student researchers a path for success by supporting and expanding research opportunities at a national and local level. I want to be a voice for all students who are conducting research in the dental field. At a local level, I believe it is imperative to promote student participation and aid students in generating notions and concepts for novel research. One of my goals is to establish a local chapter and set an example for current and future student researchers in Louisville. At a national level I want to contribute by creating a space for student researchers across the nation to be able to network in all stages of education across the globe. My vision is to have all dental schools integrate more research opportunities for current and pre-dental students into their program. A focus of mine is advocating for student leaders and researchers in a healthcare setting to be able to apply safe and professional care to future patients. By forming more research opportunities for students, we will be able to create a safer and more efficient environment for dental patients.
Research Conducted / Student Activities
I have assisted and conducted research alongside Research Deans at the University of Louisville. This research highlighted how tobacco causes enhanced periodontitis in smokers. My master’s thesis entailed projects using tobacco essential genes of Porphyromonas gingivalis while performing in vitro and in vivo analyses of P. gingivalis mutants in cigarette smoke conditions. During my first and second year of dental school, I have had the opportunity to further this research. I had the opportunity to present my research at conferences at a national level including AADOCR national conference and an honorary mention in presentation at the Hinman Student Research Symposium. My research has won many awards at a local level including first place presentations at Kentucky chapter AADOCR meetings and University of Louisville research conferences. I am heavily involved in my dental school including a member of Louisville American Student Dental Association, American Dental Education Association, Student National Dental Association, LGBTQ+ health science, as well as a liaison for the NSRG in Louisville. I also hold several leadership positions as our class community service chair, a course representative, and pre-dental mentor. I am prepared and thrilled for the opportunity to move forward to a national level and lead student researchers.