5 Questions
ADEA membership is made up of a diverse group of professions that span all facets of dentistry and dental education. But we are more than just our professions.
In the feature 5 Questions With, we shine a spotlight on various ADEA members, asking them five questions (both professional and personal), giving us all a chance to get to know one another better.
2026
1. What drew you to dental education (or dentistry)?
My professional journey began not in a clinic, but in a studio. Having earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Ceramics, I have always been driven by a passion for artistic expression and the tactile exploration of new materials. It was the seamless intersection of this aesthetic precision and my interest in biological science that naturally led me to the field of dentistry.
While pursuing my doctorate at the Harvard School of Dental Medicine, I was honored to receive a full-tuition scholarship awarded to students showing exceptional promise in academic dentistry. This distinction served as the catalyst for my passion for dental education, which has since evolved into the cornerstone of my professional career.
2. What’s the best career advice you ever received?
Mentorship is the cornerstone of mastery. Whether in the clinic or the classroom, having a respected guide to navigate the complexities of the field is essential. The ultimate success of this relationship is measured when the mentee is empowered not only to achieve their ambitions but to redefine the standard of excellence for the next generation.
3. In 10 years, the biggest change about dental education (or dentistry) will be …
Dentistry will become less subjective as artificial intelligence (AI) provides diagnostic second opinions on demand. I foresee that maintaining the human dimension of dentistry amid AI’s rapid advances will be its biggest challenge over the next decade.
4. If you couldn’t be in dental education, what field would you have chosen for a career?
I'm sure you could have guessed: I would be an artist. It was my first love. Ceramics is notoriously time consuming. I have returned to a local studio and made a few pieces in the recent past. Perhaps, this is a sign I need to do more of that, when I have a chance!
5. What’s your philosophy in 10 words or less?
"Be the person my younger self would have admired."