AADOCR NSRG Graduate Student Representative Candidate 2027-2028
University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Dentistry
Kansas City, MO
Graduation Date: 2028
Reasons for Running
Advancing dental, oral, and craniofacial research is essential to improve overall health and wellbeing. As a PhD student in Oral and Craniofacial Sciences at the University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC) School of Dentistry, I am deeply committed to this mission. I believe the strength of our field lies in the vitality and connectedness of its student community, which represents the future leadership of our discipline. Through my service as the NSRG Midwest Regional Representative, the UMKC SRG Graduate Student Representative, and active participation in multiple AADOCR/IADR meetings, I have developed a strong appreciation for the value of student engagement within our organization.
As the NSRG Graduate Student Representative, I will work to further strengthen the AADOCR trainee community by fostering collaboration and advancing the priorities of graduate students. With broad research experience spanning multiple disciplines, I am well prepared to advocate for the diverse needs of PhD students, dual-degree trainees, postdoctoral researchers, and residents. I am committed to ensuring the next generation of dental, oral, and craniofacial scientists can thrive in a dynamic research landscape and continue to advance AADOCR’s mission of scientific excellence, social responsibility, and collaborative discovery.
Research Conducted / Student Activities
RESEARCH EXPERIENCE:
PhD in Oral and Craniofacial Sciences (2024-current) & MS in Bioinformatics (2020-2023), UMKC School of Dentistry
-Investigate the developmental mechanisms underlying jaw length in the lab of Dr. Erin Bumann
-Awards include: IADR Dianne Rekow Mentoring in Science Award, AADOCR NSRG Outstanding Student Researcher Award, National Hatton Competitor – Senior Category, Bloc Travel Grant, OSSD Elizabeth Young New Investigator of the Year, UMKC Women’s Council Merit Recipient
-Have mentored 8 undergraduate, post-baccalaureate, and dental/medical students
Undergraduate research (2017-2020)
-Undergraduate Researcher, George Washington University (2017-2020) - lab of Dr. Colin Young. Investigated neural control of metabolic disease.
-Summer Research Fellow, University of Kansas Medical Center (2017 & 2018) - lab of Dr. John Thyfault. Investigated the role of estrogen in physiological adaptation to exercise.
-Awards include: Endocrine Society Research Fellowship, GW Luther Rice Research Fellowship
In total, I have published 3 first-author papers, co-authored 6 papers, presented 16 first-author abstracts, co-authored 10 abstracts, and won numerous international, national, and local awards.
CURRENT STUDENT ACTIVITIES:
-NSRG Midwest Regional Representative
-UMKC Dentistry Student Research Group Graduate Student Representative
-UMKC Dentistry Advanced Education Committee Graduate Student Representative
-UMKC Dentistry Professional Development Committee Co-chair
