AADOCR NSRG President Candidate 2026-2027
The Nova Southeastern University College of Dental Medicine
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Graduation Date: 2027
Reasons for Running
I am running for a leadership position AADOCR NSRG to promote research excellence, support student involvement, and foster a collaborative environment for aspiring dental researchers. My passion for advancing dental science drives my commitment to helping fellow students succeed in their research endeavors.
I have actively contributed to student organizations, including assisting with the NSU Dental Symposium 2024 - AADOCR Florida JSPS Joint Meeting, alongside the chapter president. I facilitated the smooth transition of the event, demonstrating my ability to manage projects and collaborate effectively.
With leadership experience, I understand the importance of providing opportunities for students to thrive. If elected, I will focus on enhancing access to research funding, mentorship, and workshops to empower students in their academic journeys. Additionally, I aim to strengthen interdisciplinary collaboration by connecting dental researchers with professionals from other fields.
I envision NSRG as a supportive and inclusive community that nurtures individual growth while leading in advancing dental research. Through strategic initiatives and active member engagement, I will work to ensure NSRG continues to be a prominent force in the dental research community.
Research Conducted / Student Activities
Throughout my academic and industry career, I have conducted research across various disciplines, including cancer research focused on leukemia. Currently, my research centers on mechanotransduction in periodontitis, studying Piezo-1 activation in endothelial cells and its role in Type H vessel polarization. Using primary endothelial cells, I investigated the effects of Yoda1 under simulated mechanical forces to further our understanding of periodontal disease.
My dedication to research has been recognized with several honors, including the Outstanding Pre-Doctoral Research Presentation (the sole recipient among D1 to D4 students) and the External Funding Recognition Award (the only dental student honored alongside postdoctoral fellows and faculty). I was also nominated by my school to submit an abstract to the Student Competition for Advancing Dental Research and its Application (SCADA) for the 2025 AADOCR meeting. Additionally, I received the Drs. Sibel and Donald Antonson Changing Lives Scholarship, which further highlights my commitment to academic excellence.
I also had the privilege of serving as a judge at the International Science and Engineering Fair (Regeneron), evaluating high school students' innovative research projects.
Beyond research, I serve as president for both the Nova Dental Scholars Research Group and the Dental Asian Student Association, and as class representative for the American Association for Women Dentists (AAWD).
These achievements reflect my commitment to advancing dental science and empowering others.