“I strive for the light bulb moment with each student. Dentistry is a mixture of science, art, and engineering, and each student has a different learning curve.”
Years at Midwestern University:
Four years. I started part-time in 2019 as an adjunct pre-clinical professor. I transitioned into full-time as a clinical assistant professor in 2021.
Research Interests:
As a junior faculty member, I have an interest in material science as well as the impact of diversity, equity, and inclusion within the classroom and profession.
What is the most rewarding part of being a member of the Midwestern University faculty?:
I strive for the “light bulb” moment with each student. Dentistry is a mixture of science, art, and engineering, and each student has a different learning curve. When a student is able to grasp a concept or overcome a barrier due to my influence, it is very rewarding.
How do you engage students in the learning process?:
I enjoy it when students can apply information with various media forms. With multiple types of learning styles, the use of games, case studies, and small group discussions help the students I encounter retain the information. I also provide examples from my private practice to show the correlation of the didactic material to experiences with patients.
What do you hope students learn from your classes?:
I hope that students utilize critical thinking and become life-long learners. I not only teach dentistry, but encourage exploration of other topics such as leadership, business, and technology.
What lessons would you like students to take with them in their professional careers?:
“Treat patients as if they were your family member.” I stress a comprehensive approach to treatment planning while being compassionate to your patients.
What about your profession should people know more about?:
“The mouth is the gateway to the rest of the body.” For some, the word dentistry only equates to concerns about teeth. However, dentists address issues of the head and neck including the hard and soft tissues, muscles, joints, bones, and nerves.
