AADOCR Member-At-Large Candidate 2024-2025
University of Minnesota School of Dentistry
Graduation Date: 2024
Reasons for Running
Since high school, research has been a love of mine and I believe it plays a crucial role in advancing patient care and the future of the practice of dentistry. My career aspirations are to be a clinician-scientist as I believe combining these two disciplines develops an innovator who can bridge the gap between scientific discovery and clinical implementation. Because of my love for both clinical dentistry and research, I would like to contribute to the dental student research community by serving as a representative for the NSRG. Through this role, I hope to help further dental student involvement in research and I would like to participate in NSRG projects. I feel the NSRG importantly enables a collaborative environment for dental students to be successful in their research, with access to mentors and opportunities to showcase their work, and I would like to help maintain the NSRG as such a resource. Having experienced the difficulties of balancing learning dentistry with discovering clinical interests on top of exploring research opportunities, I am eager to help other dental students on their path to innovate. I would like to connect dental students from different schools and encourage networking opportunities. I believe highlighting institutional resources can foster cross-institutional collaboration and enable dental students to work together. Becoming a representative for the NSRG would provide me with a unique opportunity to grow both personally and professionally while contributing to our field.
Research Conducted
1. Mentor: Dr. Janice Lee, Craniofacial Anomalies & Regeneration Section/NIDCR Craniofacial/TMJ anomalies of patients with Loeys-Dietz Syndrome & an LDS murine model (oral presentation, manuscript in progress), TMJ symptom resolution and condylar remodeling after orthognathic surgery (in progress), Ultrastructural, chemical & biomechanical analysis of third molars extracted from patients with psychiatric disorders (in progress)
2. Mentor: Dr. Rachel Uppgaard, Division of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery/UMN The use of MRI for early diagnosis of aggressive soft tissue oral lesions (in progress), The effect of smartphone filming on student confidence in dental anesthesia techniques: A randomized trial (J Dent Educ)
3. Mentor: Dr. Paul Olin, Division of Patient Care & Clinical Systems/UMN A pathway for current/future patients to apply for insurance/maintain coverage (grant proposal)
4. Mentor: Dr. Gregory Martin, Boyce Thompson Institute/Cornell University Molecular mechanisms of bacterial infection & plant response to Pseudomonas Syringae (poster presentation)
5. Mentor: Rick Kline, Spacecraft Planetary Imaging Facility/Cornell University Database implementation for satellite planetary imaging (poster presentation)
Student Activities
1. Co-founder/President, Hispanic and Latino Dental Association, University of Minnesota
-Organized and oversaw events and activities that promoted oral health education and awareness in the Hispanic community, as well as providing networking and professional development opportunities for Hispanic dental students. Worked with other student organizations and local dental professionals to collaborate on events and initiatives that benefit the community as a whole.
2. Student Volunteer Coordinator & Teaching Assistant, Hope Dental Clinic
-Coordinated student volunteers to work under faculty dentists to provide free dental care to underserved populations. Ensured that volunteers are trained, organized, and prepared to perform clinical procedures, patient education, and administrative tasks. As a TA, I instructed volunteers on clinical procedures, assisted with patient management, and ensured that the clinic runs smoothly.
3. Incoming Student Mentor, Office of Admissions & Diversity
-Mentored incoming D1 students through their adjustment to dental school
4. Clinical Mentor, Division of Patient Care & Clinical Systems
-Mentored incoming clinical students through their adjustment to clinic in third year
5. Mentor for D1/D2 Members, Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Club
-Mentored students on the pathway to residency
Academic Honors
1. Medical Research Scholar, National Institutes of Health
-1 year research fellowship awarded to health profession students demonstrating a strong interest in a career conducting research as a clinician-scientist
2. Tom Grams Memorial Scholarship, University of Minnesota School of Dentistry
-Awarded for demonstrating a dedication to academic and clinical
excellence, engagement in the learning process, leadership among peers, involvement in their
communities, shows a commitment to public health dentistry, and reflects Dr. Grams' devotion to life-long community service.
3. Omicron Kappa Upsilon National Dental Honor Society Scholarship, Beta-Beta Chapter
-Awarded for academic achievements and demonstrating character fitting of OKU membership.
4. Public Service Center Scholar, Cornell University
-2 year scholar program awarded to students who demonstrate engagement with public service and commitment to community involvement.
5. Meinig Family National Scholarship, Cornell University
-4 year scholarship and leadership development program awarded for demonstrated and continued leadership.