Summer Fellows
![Damaris Arriola Zarate](/sites/g/files/oketem271/files/styles/3_2_720x480/public/media/images/Arriola-Zarate-D_0.jpg?h=ab58381b&itok=aAbMcqCZ)
Damaris Arriola Zarate
Professional Program: DDS
Institution: UCLA
Project: Establishing a Quality-Adjusted Life Year Proxy for Children’s Dental Caries to Calculate Incremental Cost-Effectiveness Ratio: A Discrete Choice Experiment
Mentor: Francisco Ramos-Gomez, DDS
![Jasmeet Dhaliwal](/sites/g/files/oketem271/files/styles/3_2_720x480/public/media/images/dhaliwal_0.jpg?h=ab58381b&itok=rGkIcRm4)
Jasmeet Dhaliwal
Professional Program: MD
Institution: UCLA
Project: Undertreatment of Hypertension in Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and Rheumatoid Arthritis
Mentor: Joseph Ladapo, MD, PhD
![Rosemarie DiPentino](/sites/g/files/oketem271/files/styles/3_2_720x480/public/media/images/DiPentino%2C-Rosemarie_Photo_0.jpg?h=ab58381b&itok=Po37LeuX)
Rosemarie DiPentino
Professional Program: MD
Institution: UCLA
Project: Identifying an adolescent vital sign: gradebook data as a marker for substance use among low-income minority middle school students
Mentor: Mitchell Wong, MD, PhD
Mariam Khan
Professional Program: MD
Institution: UCLA
Project: Evaluating the Associations between Domains of Positive Childhood Experiences and Adult Health Outcomes
Mentor: Adam Schickedanz, MD PhD
![Jennifer Wenchi](/sites/g/files/oketem271/files/styles/3_2_720x480/public/media/images/Wenchi-J_0.jpg?h=ab58381b&itok=Pxdf0T-O)
Jennifer Wenchi
Professional Program: DDS
Institution: UCLA
Project: Dental Referral Tracking at California's Federally Qualified Health Centers
Mentor: Nadereh Pourat, PhD
![Neda Ashtari](/sites/g/files/oketem271/files/styles/3_2_720x480/public/media/images/Ashtari%2C-Neda_0.png?h=ab58381b&itok=sAGTGlhV)
Neda Ashtari
Professional Program: MD
Institution: UCLA
Project: Eliminating Gaps in Medicaid Coverage During Youth Reentry
Mentor: Elizabeth Barnert, MD
![Natalia Garcia Penaloza](/sites/g/files/oketem271/files/styles/3_2_720x480/public/media/images/Garcia-Penaloza%2C-Natalia---NGP-Picture_0.png?h=ab58381b&itok=HArY1wzn)
Natalia Garcia Penaloza
Professional Program: MD
Institution: UCLA
Project: Developing an Evidence-based, Culturally Appropriate Survey to Assess the Needs of Immigrant Youth and Families in LA County
Mentor: Alice Kuo, MD
![Allison Leggett](/sites/g/files/oketem271/files/styles/3_2_720x480/public/media/images/Leggett%2C-Allison_0.png?h=ab58381b&itok=-E25RrME)
Allison Leggett
Professional Program: MD
Institution: UCLA
Project: The Role of Nontraditional Risk Factors in the Development of Chronic Kidney Disease
Mentor: Keith C. Norris, MD, PhD
![Vanessa Nunez](/sites/g/files/oketem271/files/styles/3_2_720x480/public/media/images/VNunez_0.png?h=ab58381b&itok=3lgdQ612)
Vanessa Nunez
Professional Program: MD
Institution: UCLA
Project: Whole Person Care Los Angeles: Community Stakeholder Analysis
Mentor: Arleen Brown, MD, PhD
![Vivek Shah](/sites/g/files/oketem271/files/styles/sf_thumbnail/public/media/images/Shah_0.jpg.webp?itok=qFca8V1f)
Vivek Shah
Professional Program: MD
Institution: UCLA
Project: An Evaluation of the Relationship between ACE Scores, Social Connectedness, and Medical Utilization
Mentor: Adam Schickedanz, MD, PhD
![Imran Ahmed](/sites/g/files/oketem271/files/styles/3_2_720x480/public/media/images/Ahmed%2C-Imran.jpg?h=ab58381b&itok=hp92zyZj)
Imran Ahmed
Professional Program: DDS
Institution: UCLA
Project: Medical-Dental Integration in Pediatric Health
Mentor: Francisco Ramos-Gomez, DDS, MPH
![Amanda Ankrom](/sites/g/files/oketem271/files/styles/3_2_720x480/public/media/images/Ankrom%2C-Amanda.jpg?h=ab58381b&itok=ji6233wn)
Amanda Ankrom
Professional Program: DDS
Institution: UCLA
Project: Evidence-Based Management of Dental Caries in Los Angeles County Community Clinics
Mentor: Ian Coulter, PhD
![Vania Chan](/sites/g/files/oketem271/files/styles/3_2_720x480/public/media/images/Chan%2C-Vania.jpg?h=ab58381b&itok=5AOGtfV_)
Vania Chan
Professional Program: DDS
Institution: UCLA
Project: Early Oral Health Education in Los Angeles Schools
Mentor: Kathryn Atchison, DDS, MPH
![Kearny Chang](/sites/g/files/oketem271/files/styles/3_2_720x480/public/media/images/Chang%2C-Kearny.jpg?h=ab58381b&itok=v_QqhBzy)
Kearny Chang
Professional Program: DDS
Institution: UCLA
Project: The effects of e-cigarettes on the oral microbiome, host defense, and periodontal health.
Mentor: Flavia Pirih, DDS, PhD
![Anna Dermenchyan](/sites/g/files/oketem271/files/styles/3_2_720x480/public/media/images/Dermenchyan%2C-Anna.jpg?h=ab58381b&itok=5ljcWlTL)
Anna Dermenchyan
Professional Program: PhD
Institution: UCLA
Project: Impact of Sociodemographic Factors on Outcomes in Primary Care Heart Failure Patient Population
Mentor: Lynn Doering, PhD
![Brittany Tate](/sites/g/files/oketem271/files/styles/3_2_720x480/public/media/images/Tate%2C-Brittany.jpg?h=ab58381b&itok=BHb-tEl5)
Brittany Tate
Professional Program: DDS
Institution: UCLA
Project: Effect of Academic Climate on the Development of Practitioners
Mentor: Kathryn Atchison, DDS, MPH
![George Truong](/sites/g/files/oketem271/files/styles/3_2_720x480/public/media/images/Truong%2C-George.jpg?h=ab58381b&itok=Q1PRyDHg)
George Truong
Professional Program: MD
Institution: UCLA
Project: Effects of substance use on ART adherence and viral suppression among PLWH entering jail.
Mentor: William Cunningham, MD, MPH
![Olivia Wu](/sites/g/files/oketem271/files/styles/3_2_720x480/public/media/images/Wu%2C-Olivia.jpg?h=ab58381b&itok=UGw66whx)
Olivia Wu
Professional Program: MD
Institution: UCLA
Project: Building and Evaluating a Medical-Financial Partnership: Measuring the Impact of Financial Coaching on Health
Mentor: Adam Schickedanz, MD
![Victoria Chen](/sites/g/files/oketem271/files/styles/3_2_720x480/public/media/images/Victoria-Chen.jpg?h=ab58381b&itok=KAkIGkS_)
Victoria Chen
Professional Program: DDS
Institution: UCLA
Project: Caregivers’ Engagement in and Attitudes towards Pediatric Oral Health Practices: Findings from Los Angeles Community-Based Health Clinics
Mentor: James Crall, DDS MS, ScD
![Cassandra DeWitt](/sites/g/files/oketem271/files/styles/3_2_720x480/public/media/images/DeWitt%2C-Cassie.jpg?h=ab58381b&itok=2Yc1gHDI)
Cassandra DeWitt
Professional Program: MD
Institution: UCLA
Project: Statin Use: Patient Problems Obtaining Recommended Treatment (SUPPORT)
Mentor: Joe Ladapo, MD, PhD
![Gerardo Flores](/sites/g/files/oketem271/files/styles/3_2_720x480/public/media/images/Flores%2C-Gerardo.jpg?h=ab58381b&itok=LMUx4WRg)
Gerardo Flores
Professional Program: PhD
Institution: UCLA
Project: Influence Of Source Of Pay On Emergency Department Visits And Hospitalization Rates Among Patients Presenting To U.S. Emergency Departments After A Soccer-Related Injury
Mentor: Dorothy Wiley, PhD, RN, FAAN
Walter Fuentes
Professional Program: DDS
Institution: UCLA
Project: DentiCal Service Utilization, in 0-5 Year Olds Across LA County, Based on Socioeconomic Status, Marital Status, and Ethnic Demographics of Zip Codes
Mentor: James Crall, DDS MS, ScD
![Bria Pettway](/sites/g/files/oketem271/files/styles/3_2_720x480/public/media/images/Pettway%2C-Bria.jpg?h=ab58381b&itok=E--bk2qJ)
Bria Pettway
Professional Program: MD
Institution: Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science
Project: The Role of Parent Engagement in Access to Health Care for Youth After Incarceration
Mentor: Elizabeth Barnert, MD
![Mercedes Scott](/sites/g/files/oketem271/files/styles/3_2_720x480/public/media/images/Scott%2C-Mercedes.jpg?h=ab58381b&itok=ecTLW_08)
Mercedes Scott
Professional Program: MD
Institution: UCLA
Project: Screen to Save: A Faith-based Approach to Increasing the Awareness of Colorectal Cancer Screening in African Americans
Mentor: Juana Gatson, PhD
Sogole Tabatabaiepur
Professional Program: DDS
Institution: UCLA
Project: Dentist to Patient Figures for DentiCal Accepting Dentists Across Los Angeles County
Mentor: James Crall, DDS MS, ScD
Kelly Vitzthum
Professional Program: DDS
Institution: UCLA
Project: Applying the Integrated Behavioral Model to promote better oral health communications
Mentor: James Crall, DDS MS, ScD
![Marquell Craddock](/sites/g/files/oketem271/files/styles/3_2_720x480/public/media/images/Craddock%2C-Marquell.jpg?h=ab58381b&itok=_P7vzDE5)
Marquell Craddock
Professional Program: MD
Institution: Charles R. Drew University of Medicine
Project: Evaluation of the UCLA-Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP)
Mentor: O. Kenrik Duru, MD, MSHS and Wendy Slusser, MD
![Sandy Ha](/sites/g/files/oketem271/files/styles/3_2_720x480/public/media/images/Ha%2C-Sandy.jpg?h=ab58381b&itok=5gT1z4Un)
Sandy Ha
Professional Program: DDS
Institution: UCLA
Project: Dentists' Knowledge, Attitudes, and Perceptions in Treating Medically Complex Patients
Mentor: Fariba Younai, DDS
![Desiree Hsiou](/sites/g/files/oketem271/files/styles/3_2_720x480/public/media/images/Hsiou%2C_Desiree.jpg?h=ab58381b&itok=v8lJ39LX)
Desiree Hsiou
Professional Program: DDS
Institution: UCLA
Project: Evaluate the correlation between the perception of e-cigarettes as a smoking cessation aid and an individual's poverty and education level in the Los Angeles County
Mentor: Diana Messadi, DDS, MMSc, DMSc
![Haejin Kang](/sites/g/files/oketem271/files/styles/3_2_720x480/public/media/images/Kang%2C-Haejin.jpg?h=ab58381b&itok=RHEwN1uv)
Haejin Kang
Professional Program: DDS
Institution: UCLA
Project: A knowledge, attitude, beliefs, and practices (KABP) survey on special needs patients and their student dentist providers
Mentor: Francisco Ramos-Gomez, DDS, MPH
![Deborah Lee](/sites/g/files/oketem271/files/styles/3_2_720x480/public/media/images/Lee%2C-Deborah.jpg?h=ab58381b&itok=WqAAuB9e)
Deborah Lee
Professional Program: DDS
Institution: UCLA
Project: Patient's knowledge and perception on medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ) among the users of anti-resorptive drugs rs
Mentor: Reuben Kim, DDS, PhD
![Tiffany Lin](/sites/g/files/oketem271/files/styles/3_2_720x480/public/media/images/Lin%2C-Tiffany.jpg?h=ab58381b&itok=B9hkcvjc)
Tiffany Lin
Professional Program: DDS
Institution: UCLA
Project: Proteomic Analysis of Chronic Alcohol Use
Mentor: Shen Hu, PhD
![Damond Ng](/sites/g/files/oketem271/files/styles/3_2_720x480/public/media/images/Ng%2C-Damond.jpg?h=ab58381b&itok=nzpbLs4X)
Damond Ng
Professional Program: MD
Institution: UCLA
Project: Hypertension control in urban underserved communities: Impact and analysis of a behavioral economics intervention
Mentor: Martin Shapiro, MD, PhD
![My Nguyen](/sites/g/files/oketem271/files/styles/3_2_720x480/public/media/images/Nguyen%2C-My.jpg?h=ab58381b&itok=jbE5Ui1v)
My Nguyen
Professional Program: DDS
Institution: UCLA
Project: User's View of Electronic Cigarettes
Mentor: Diana Messadi, DDS
![Rebekah Rogers](/sites/g/files/oketem271/files/styles/3_2_720x480/public/media/images/Rogers%2C-Rebekah.jpg?h=ab58381b&itok=VGfHPicU)
Rebekah Rogers
Professional Program: MD
Institution: Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science
Project: Do Changes in Adolescent Career Aspirations Predict their Health Behaviors?
Mentor: Rebecca Dudovitz, MD, MS
![Sharlene Cam](/sites/g/files/oketem271/files/styles/3_2_720x480/public/media/images/Cam%2C-Sharlene.jpg?h=ab58381b&itok=MKFZrxCp)
Sharlene Cam
Professional Program: DDS
Institution: UCLA
Project: Risk of complications in HIV-seropositive patients undergoing invasive dental procedures
Mentor: Fariba S. Younai, DDS
![Mahsa Dousti](/sites/g/files/oketem271/files/styles/3_2_720x480/public/media/images/Dousti%2C-Mahsa-352506.jpg?h=ab58381b&itok=1JBcu0DN)
Mahsa Dousti
Professional Program: DDS
Institution: UCLA
Project: Impact of Parent's actions during pregnancy and after childbirth on children's behavioral health
Mentor: Nancy Reifel, DDS, MPH
![Catherine Gliwa](/sites/g/files/oketem271/files/styles/3_2_720x480/public/media/images/Gliwa%2C-Catherine.jpg?h=ab58381b&itok=leHnitEc)
Catherine Gliwa
Professional Program: MD
Institution: UCLA
Project: Perceived effects of social support on diabetes management in African American women with type 2 diabetes
Mentor: Arleen Brown, MD, PhD
![Jacob Gutierrez](/sites/g/files/oketem271/files/styles/3_2_720x480/public/media/images/Gutierrez%2C-Jacob.jpg?h=ab58381b&itok=-92sinAU)
Jacob Gutierrez
Professional Program: MD
Institution: Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science
Project: Adolescents' desire for popularity and its influence on substance use
Mentor: Mitchell Wong, MD, PhD
Amit Iyengar
Professional Program: MD
Institution: UCLA
Project: Lung Transplantation in the LAS era
Mentor: Abbas Ardehali, MD
![Grace Kim](/sites/g/files/oketem271/files/styles/3_2_720x480/public/media/images/Kim%2C-Grace.jpg?h=ab58381b&itok=bk-p13WM)
Grace Kim
Professional Program: MD
Institution: UCLA
Project: Urban Student Perspectives on School-Based Social Networks, Identity, and Substance Use
Mentor: Rebecca Dudovitz, MD, MSHS
![Sue Kim](/sites/g/files/oketem271/files/styles/3_2_720x480/public/media/images/Kim%2C-Sue.jpg?h=ab58381b&itok=Sft5di7M)
Sue Kim
Professional Program: DDS
Institution: UCLA
Project: Nanodiamond-Based Growth Factors As Alternative To Costly Bone Graft Procedures
Mentor: Dean Ho, PhD
![Kevin Lee](/sites/g/files/oketem271/files/styles/3_2_720x480/public/media/images/Lee%2C-Kevin.jpg?h=ab58381b&itok=cVQe1mXc)
Kevin Lee
Professional Program: DDS
Institution: UCLA
Project: Gammaherpesvirus ORF10 selectively inhibits cellular mRNA nuclear export
Mentor: Ting-Ting Wu, PhD
![Rachel Lim](/sites/g/files/oketem271/files/styles/3_2_720x480/public/media/images/Lim%2C-Rachel.jpg?h=ab58381b&itok=nVjJTYJb)
Rachel Lim
Professional Program: DDS
Institution: UCLA
Project: Optimization of NELL-1 Dosage Frequency and Delivery Method in Osteoporotic Mice
Mentor: Eric Kang Ting, DMD, DMedSci
![Lawrence Lin](/sites/g/files/oketem271/files/styles/3_2_720x480/public/media/images/Lin%2C-Lawrence.jpg?h=ab58381b&itok=xBfcYiJr)
Lawrence Lin
Professional Program: DDS
Institution: UCLA
Project: Effectiveness of Oral and Overall Health Instruction in Underprivileged Teenage Populations
Mentor: Diana Messadi, DDS
Christina Ma
Professional Program: MD
Institution: UCLA
Project: The effects of vitamin D3 versus 25D3 on mineral balance and immune function in a multi-ethnic cohort of healthy adults
Mentor: John S. Adams, MD
![Cherlyn Perez](/sites/g/files/oketem271/files/styles/3_2_720x480/public/media/images/Perez%2C-Cherlyn-1.jpg?h=ab58381b&itok=OF_Q1waB)
Cherlyn Perez
Professional Program: MD
Institution: UCLA
Project: Pharmacodynamic Changes in Notch3 Expression Levels in Response to Targeting Notch3 with an Antibody Drug Conjugate
Mentor: Sara Hurvitz, MD
![Thomas Poelman](/sites/g/files/oketem271/files/styles/3_2_720x480/public/media/images/Poelman%2C-Thomas.jpg?h=ab58381b&itok=5lj5lxEm)
Thomas Poelman
Professional Program: DDS
Institution: UCLA
Project: Attitudes and Knowledge of Dental Students towards Caries Management by Risk Assessment
Mentor: Francisco Ramos-Gomez, DDS, MS, MPH
Deborah Rothhaar
Professional Program: PHD
Institution: UCLA
Project: The Effect of Patient Attributes on Alarm Burden in the ICU
Mentor: Dorothy Wiley, PhD
![Hafifa Siddiq](/sites/g/files/oketem271/files/styles/3_2_720x480/public/media/images/Siddiq_Hafifa.jpg?h=ab58381b&itok=rgmGwX0A)
Hafifa Siddiq
Professional Program: PHD
Institution: UCLA
Project:Cultural Influences On Breast Cancer Screening Among Korean American Women
Mentor: Eunice Lee, PhD
![Eric Tam](/sites/g/files/oketem271/files/styles/3_2_720x480/public/media/images/Tam%2C-Eric.jpg?h=ab58381b&itok=SONfSBCv)
Eric Tam
Professional Program: MD
Institution: UCLA
Project: Engagement with physician, ART adherence, and viral load suppression among HIV+ men leaving LA County jail
Mentor: William Cunningham, MD, MPH
![Ryan Wong](/sites/g/files/oketem271/files/styles/3_2_720x480/public/media/images/Wong%2C-Ryan.jpg?h=ab58381b&itok=FV9ta-2F)
Ryan Wong
Professional Program: DDS
Institution: UCLA
Project: Evaluating Peri-implantitis and Periodontitis in a Murine Model
Mentor: Flavia Pirih, DDS, PhD
![Jeffrey Brumbaugh](/sites/g/files/oketem271/files/styles/3_2_720x480/public/media/images/Brumbaugh-%2C-Jeffrey_Headshot.jpg?h=ab58381b&itok=Ogb7949a)
Jeffrey Brumbaugh
Professional Program: DDS
Institution: UCLA
Project: Identification of Gene Expression Signatures in Smoking Related Oral Cancer
Mentor: Shen Hu, PhD
![Noel Carillo](/sites/g/files/oketem271/files/styles/3_2_720x480/public/media/images/Carrillo%2C-Noel_Headshot.jpg?h=ab58381b&itok=YaJnDfcp)
Noel Carillo
Professional Program: MD
Institution: UCLA
Project: Differences Between Substance Abuse, Mental Illness, and HIV Disease Status Among Persons Living in HIV Supportive Housing
Mentor: Steve Shoptaw, PhD
![Clayton Chan](/sites/g/files/oketem271/files/styles/3_2_720x480/public/media/images/Chan_Photograph.jpg?h=ab58381b&itok=bFSfUh51)
Clayton Chan
Professional Program: DDS
Institution: UCLA
Project: Impact of Parent Characteristics on Child Development
Mentor: Nancy Reifel, DDS, MPH
![Yoonah Danskin](/sites/g/files/oketem271/files/styles/3_2_720x480/public/media/images/Danskin_Photograph.jpg?h=ab58381b&itok=lf6-Mixo)
Yoonah Danskin
Professional Program: DDS
Institution:UCLA
Project: E-Cigarette (e-cigs), Marijuana, and Cigarette usage among UCLA Dental Patients
Mentor: Diana Messadi, DDS, MMSc, DMSc
![Krystle Frazier](/sites/g/files/oketem271/files/styles/3_2_720x480/public/media/images/Frazier%2C-Krystle_Headshot.jpg?h=ab58381b&itok=Q-WLFx6l)
Krystle Frazier
Professional Program: MD
Institution: UCLA
Project: Clinical Trial of Stem Cell Therapy for Sickle Cell Disease: Development of a Novel Immunoassay to Detect Immunogenicity to HbAS3
Mentor: Donald Kohn, MD
![Elyse Guran](/sites/g/files/oketem271/files/styles/3_2_720x480/public/media/images/Guran%2C-Elyse_Headshot.jpg?h=ab58381b&itok=8jeAFrus)
Elyse Guran
Professional Program: MD
Institution: UCLA
Project: Evaluating a New Model for School Based Health Centers
Mentor: Rebecca Dudovitz, MD, MSHS
![Kia Skrine Jeffers](/sites/g/files/oketem271/files/styles/3_2_720x480/public/media/images/Jeffers%2C-Kia_Headshot.jpg?h=ab58381b&itok=y0SaHZEa)
Kia Skrine Jeffers
Professional Program: PhD
Institution: UCLA
Project: LA Seniors Get "On the Move": A Pilot Evaluation of a Media-Based Intervention Aimed to Improve Physical Activity
Mentor: Catherine Sarkisian, MD, MSPH
![Clark Knowlton](/sites/g/files/oketem271/files/styles/3_2_720x480/public/media/images/Knowlton-_Headshot.jpg?h=ab58381b&itok=5TYlvwyQ)
Clark Knowlton
Professional Program: DDS
Institution: UCLA
Project: California Dentist’s Compliance with AAPD Recommendations for a Year-one Dental Visit
Mentor: Chanel McCreedy, DDS
![Carter Le](/sites/g/files/oketem271/files/styles/3_2_720x480/public/media/images/Le%2C-Carter_Headshot.jpg?h=ab58381b&itok=UkdB0OoP)
Carter Le
Professional Program: DDS
Institution: UCLA
Project: Comparison of Behavioral Self-Management Goals in Remineralized and Non-Remineralized White Spot Lesions In Patients Ages 1-5 From Disadvantaged Communities
Mentor: Francisco Ramos-Gomez, DDS, MS, MPH
![Alan Nguyen](/sites/g/files/oketem271/files/styles/3_2_720x480/public/media/images/Nguyen%2C-Alan_Headshot.jpg?h=ab58381b&itok=ifEqU7wr)
Alan Nguyen
Professional Program: DDS
Institution: UCLA
Project: Phenamil Diet Counteracts Ovariectomy-induced Osteoporosis
Mentor: Eric Kang Ting, DMD, DMedSc
![Kelly Nguyen](/sites/g/files/oketem271/files/styles/3_2_720x480/public/media/images/Nguyen%2C-Kelly_Headshot.jpg?h=ab58381b&itok=OB3cP99e)
Kelly Nguyen
Professional Program: DDS
Institution: UCLA
Project: Individuals with Single White Spots on Tooth Enamel had Higher Childhood Stress
Mentor: Shane White, PhD, BDentSc, MS, MA
![Steve Petritz](/sites/g/files/oketem271/files/styles/3_2_720x480/public/media/images/Petritz%2C-Steven_Headshot.jpg?h=ab58381b&itok=U0M1xN60)
Steve Petritz
Professional Program: DDS
Institution: UCLA
Project: Nanomedicine application to the field of dentistry
Mentor: Dean Ho, PhD, MS
![William Sheppard](/sites/g/files/oketem271/files/styles/3_2_720x480/public/media/images/Sheppard%2C-Williams_Headshot.jpg?h=ab58381b&itok=twP6dg9q)
William Sheppard
Professional Program: MD
Institution: UCLA
Project: Occult Hypoperfusion is Associated with Mortality Following Traumatic Brain Injury
Mentor: Dennis Kim, MD
![Graal Ventura-Diaz](/sites/g/files/oketem271/files/styles/3_2_720x480/public/media/images/Venture-Diaz%2C-Graal_Headshot.jpg?h=ab58381b&itok=Lpd3ssnf)
Graal Ventura-Diaz
Professional Program: PhD
Institution: UCLA
Project: Health, Injury and Sociodemographic Predictors of Hip Fractures in Public-Use Datasets: National Emergency Department Survey (NEDS) and the National Inpatient Survey (NIS)
Mentor: Dorothy Wiley, MSN, RN, MPH, PhD
![Drake Williams](/sites/g/files/oketem271/files/styles/3_2_720x480/public/media/images/Wiiliams%2C-Drake_Headshot.jpg?h=ab58381b&itok=fTbJHaWs)
Drake Williams
Professional Program: DDS
Institution: UCLA
Project: Role of Interleukin 36 in Bisphosphonate Related Osteonecrosis of the Jaw (BRONJ) pathogenesis
Mentor: Reuben Kim, DDS, PhD
![Lindsay Williams](/sites/g/files/oketem271/files/styles/3_2_720x480/public/media/images/Williams%2C-Lindsay_Headshot.jpg?h=ab58381b&itok=Pld33M-l)
Lindsay Williams
Professional Program: PhD
Institution: UCLA
Project: Women Veterans Perceptions of Mental Health Outpatient Services
Mentor: Sally Maliski, PhD, RN, FAAN
![Hoover Wu](/sites/g/files/oketem271/files/styles/3_2_720x480/public/media/images/Wu%2C-Hoover_Headshot.jpg?h=ab58381b&itok=u4loRpTK)
Hoover Wu
Professional Program: MD
Institution: Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science
Project: The Socioeconomic Realities Behind Elevated Pre-Operative Hemoglobin A1c and Surgical Risk of Cardiothoracic Surgery
Mentor: James McKinnell, MD
![Judith Afonta](/sites/g/files/oketem271/files/styles/3_2_720x480/public/media/images/Afonta%2C_Judith.jpg?h=ab58381b&itok=jpL4CvVS)
Judith Afonta
Professional Program: MSN
Institution: Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science
Project: Low HPV Vaccination Rates Among African Americans, A Literature Review
Mentor: Nadereh Pourat, PhD
![Eric Chen](/sites/g/files/oketem271/files/styles/3_2_720x480/public/media/images/Chen%2C_Eric.jpg?h=ab58381b&itok=a6Q4YLPN)
Eric Chen
Professional Program: DDS
Institution: UCLA
Project: HIV Discrimination in Dental Care: An Investigation of Discriminatory Behavior among General Dentists in Los Angeles accepting Delta Dental Insurance
Mentor: Fariba Younai, DDS
![Gerardo Flores](/sites/g/files/oketem271/files/styles/3_2_720x480/public/media/images/Flores%2C_Gerardo.jpg?h=ab58381b&itok=AYT7N3ZP)
Gerardo Flores
Professional Program: PhD
Institution: UCLA
Project: Comorbid Conditions Influence Hospitalization Rates across Age Groups Among those who Fall
Mentor: Dorothy Wiley, PhD, RN, FAAN
Marcel Fomotar
Professional Program: MSN
Institution: Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science
Project: Conceptualizing Challenges to Optimizing Health and Healthcare Access among Transgender Persons in the U.S.
Mentor: Martin Shapiro, MD, PhD
![Shelia Ganjian](/sites/g/files/oketem271/files/styles/3_2_720x480/public/media/images/Ganjian%2C_Sheila.bmp_.jpeg?h=ab58381b&itok=rmE0SAB6)
Shelia Ganjian
Professional Program: MD
Institution: Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science
Project: Determining What Physicians Know and Support in Health Care Reform
Mentor: Patrick Dowling, MD
Brian Hui
Professional Program: DDS
Institution: UCLA
Project: Impact of audio-visual aids on the informed consent of oral surgery patients
Mentor: Tara Aghaloo, MD, DDS
![Phong Huynh](/sites/g/files/oketem271/files/styles/3_2_720x480/public/media/images/Huynh%2C_Phong.bmp_.jpeg?h=ab58381b&itok=kM9cM3Jo)
Phong Huynh
Professional Program: DDS
Institution: UCLA
Project: Identifying community perceived causes of childhood obesity in Boyle Heights and analysis of its pediatric health profile
Mentor: Wendy Slusser, MD
![Eugen Kim](/sites/g/files/oketem271/files/styles/3_2_720x480/public/media/images/Kim%2C_Eugen.jpg?h=ab58381b&itok=Xa68iSh-)
Eugen Kim
Professional Program: DDS
Institution: UCLA
Project: Dental Public Health - Who Cares? An Exploration of Dental Students' Perspective on the Specialty
Mentor: Katherine Atchison, DDS, MPH
![Ebony King](/sites/g/files/oketem271/files/styles/3_2_720x480/public/media/images/King%2C_Ebony.bmp_.jpeg?h=ab58381b&itok=5BikZqa1)
Ebony King
Professional Program: MD
Institution: Charles R. Drew University
Project: National Trends in Access to Minimally Invasive Surgery for Adrenalectomy
Mentor: Jim Hu, MD
Eyerus Masho
Professional Program: MSN
Institution: Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science
Project: Cultural Variation and Perinatal Care Practice Between African American Women and Mexican American Women: a Critical Review
Mentor: Vanessa Miller, DrPH, RN
![Judith McKelvy](/sites/g/files/oketem271/files/styles/3_2_720x480/public/media/images/McKelvy%2C_Judith.jpg?h=ab58381b&itok=CAh1F6E6)
Judith McKelvy
Professional Program: PhD
Institution: UCLA
Project: Family and Friends Involvement in Self-Care Management of Type 2 Diabetes: A Review of the Literature
Mentor: Arleen F. Brown, MD, PhD
![Linda Phi](/sites/g/files/oketem271/files/styles/3_2_720x480/public/media/images/Phi%2C_Linda.jpg?h=ab58381b&itok=ZdNGUFZw)
Linda Phi
Professional Program: DDS
Institution: UCLA
Project: Characterizing the Mechanism of Inflammation by Assessing Pro-Inflammatory Cytokines in Patients with TMD
Mentor: Francesco Chiappelli, PhD, MA
![Kevin Quan](/sites/g/files/oketem271/files/styles/sf_thumbnail/public/media/images/Quan%2C_Kevin.jpg.webp?itok=Lgu1nyZc)
Kevin Quan
Professional Program: DDS
Institution: UCLA
Project: Oral Health Status Index Applied to NHANES
Mentor: Nancy Reifel, DDS, MPH
![Pardis Rajabi](/sites/g/files/oketem271/files/styles/sf_thumbnail/public/media/images/Rajabi%2C_Pardis.JPG.webp?itok=icmZM-AH)
Pardis Rajabi
Professional Program: DDS
Institution: UCLA
Project: Prevalence of Enamel Hypoplastic Defects in a Psychological Stressor-Defined Population
Mentor: Shane N. White, BDentSc, MA, MS, PhD
Raymund Rebong
Professional Program: DDS
Institution: UCLA
Project: Racial Ethnic Disparities in Dental Care Based Health Status and Dental Insurance in California
Mentor: Nadereh Pourat, PhD
![Dawn Santos](/sites/g/files/oketem271/files/styles/3_2_720x480/public/media/images/Santos%2C_Dawn.jpg?h=ab58381b&itok=jCW7QGFq)
Dawn Santos
Professional Program: MSN
Institution: Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science
Project: The Relationship between Menopause and Sexual Function amongst Periomenopausal Women: A Literature Review
Mentor: Vanessa Miller, DrPH, RN
![Samantha Tangchaiburana](/sites/g/files/oketem271/files/styles/3_2_720x480/public/media/images/Tangchaiburana%2C_Samantha.jpg?h=ab58381b&itok=4iF2RHCk)
Samantha Tangchaiburana
Professional Program: MSN
Institution: UCLA
Project: Reducing Stimulant Use and Sexual Behaviors Among Gay/Bisexual Men: A Literature Review
Mentor: Adeline Nyamathi, PhD, ANP, FAAN
![Maria Tobar](/sites/g/files/oketem271/files/styles/3_2_720x480/public/media/images/Tobar%2C_Maria2.jpg?h=ab58381b&itok=QE23AARI)
Maria Tobar
Professional Program: MD
Institution: UCLA
Project: Culturally Adapting Physical Activity Promoting Interventions for the Prevention of Stroke in Older Adults
Mentor: Catherine Sarkisian, MD, MSPH
![Erica Tukiainen](/sites/g/files/oketem271/files/styles/3_2_720x480/public/media/images/Tukiainen%2C_Erica.bmp_.jpeg?h=ab58381b&itok=VjJlQVPu)
Erica Tukiainen
Professional Program: MD
Institution: UCLA
Project: Evaluating the Impact of Health Education at a Federally Qualified health Center for Persons with Diabetes
Mentor: Carol M. Mangione, MD, MSPH
![Uzoma Uwakah](/sites/g/files/oketem271/files/styles/3_2_720x480/public/media/images/Uwakah%2C_Uzoma.jpg?h=ab58381b&itok=QrJD55y7)
Uzoma Uwakah
Professional Program: MSN
Institution: Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science
Project: Cultural factors affecting pap smear utilization and adherence to the recommendations amongst Asian American Women in California
Mentor: Magda Shaheen, MD PhD
![Jane Agu](/sites/g/files/oketem271/files/styles/sf_thumbnail/public/media/images/Agu%2C_Jane.JPG.webp?itok=dCvwQp2n)
Professional Program: MSN
Institution: Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science
Project: No Time to Wait: Late Diagnosis of HIV & African Americans, A Literature Review
Mentor: Martin Shapiro, MD, PhD - UCLA
Alejandra Bautista
Professional Program: MD
Institution: UCLA
Project: Family Influence on Antidepressant Medication Use in Depressed Spanish-Speaking Latinos
Mentor: Jeanne Miranda, PhD - UCLA
Lubabah Ben-Ghaly
Professional Program: MD
Institution: UCLA
Project: The Effect of Implementing an Electronic Prescription Ordering System on Improving Health Outcomes and Eliminating Disparities in HIV+ Patients
Mentor: William Cunningham, MD, MPH - UCLA
Michael Hoang
Professional Program: DDS
Institution: UCLA
Project: Children with Special Care Needs and their Access to Preventative Medical and Dental Care
Mentor: Carl Maida, PhD, MA - UCLA
Christine Kho
Professional Program: MD
Institution: UCLA
Project: Beyond the Grade: The Impact of High-Performing Schools on Adolescent Behavioral and Mental Health Outcomes
Mentor: Mitchell Wong, MD, PhD - UCLA
Catherine Kim
Professional Program: DDS
Institution: UCLA
Project: Impact of the Elimination of Denti-Cal Adult Services on Community Clinics in California
Mentor: Nadereh Pourat, PhD, MSPH - UCLA
David Lee
Professional Program: DDS
Institution: UCLA
Project: Children with Special Health Care Needs and their Access to Preventative Medical and Dental Care
Mentor: Carl Maida, PhD, MA - UCLA
![Michael Mangubat](/sites/g/files/oketem271/files/styles/3_2_720x480/public/media/images/Mangubat%2C_Micahel.bmp_.jpeg?h=ab58381b&itok=pIUipFgF)
Michael Mangubat
Professional Program: MD
Institution: Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science
Project: Methimazole Dose Titration for Maintenance of Hyperthyroid Patients
Mentor: Theodore Friedman, MD, PhD - CDU
Adrienne Martinez-Hollingsworth
Professional Program: MSN
Institution: Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science
Project: Use of Social Media via Mobile Phones to Promote Diabetes Education in South Los Angeles
Mentor: Patricia Humbles, PhD, MSN - CDU
Ozioma Nwosu
Professional Program: MSN
Institution: Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science
Project: Fruit and Vegetable Intake and Mortality in U.S. Adults
Mentor: David Martins, MB, MS - CDU
![Amarachi Okoro](/sites/g/files/oketem271/files/styles/3_2_720x480/public/media/images/Okoro%2C_Amarachi.jpg?h=ab58381b&itok=qemau-sR)
Amarachi Okoro
Professional Program: MD
Institution: UCLA
Project: Finding the "Win-Win": A Needs Assessment Identifying the Barriers and Facilitators to a Greater Partnership Between Academic and Community Collaborators in Los Angeles
Mentor: Michael Rodriguez, MD, MPH - UCLA
![Mark Ortega](/sites/g/files/oketem271/files/styles/sf_thumbnail/public/media/images/Ortega%2C_Mark.JPG.webp?itok=juQeLr8L)
Mark Ortega
Professional Program: DDS
Institution: UCLA
Project: A Comparison of Perceived Peridontal Oral Health Status and Periodontal Oral Health Based on Clinical Determinants in a National Probability Sample
Mentor: Marvin Marcus, DDS, MPH - UCLA
![Rebecca Paddack](/sites/g/files/oketem271/files/styles/sf_thumbnail/public/media/images/Paddack%2C_Rebecca.JPG.webp?itok=UW_kAXO6)
Rebecca Paddack
Professional Program: DDS
Institution: UCLA
Project: A Comparison of Perceived Peridontal Oral Health Status and Peridontal Oral Health Based on Clinical Determinants in a National Probability Sample
Mentor: Marvin Marcus, DDS, MPH - UCLA
Walter Perez
Professional Program: MSN
Institution: Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science
Project: Actos Versus Discontinuing Actos HbA1c Outcomes in a Minority Population
Mentor: Theodore Friedman, MD, PhD - CDU
John Pierce
Professional Program: DDS
Institution: UCLA
Project: Impact of the Elimination of Denti-Cal Audit Services on Community Clinics in California
Mentor: Nadereh Pourat, PhD, MSPH - UCLA
Amy Tam
Professional Program: DDS
Institution: UCLA
Project: Evaluation of the Implementation of Health Literature Organization Tool Box Guidelines
Mentor: Jennifer Holtzman, DDS, MPH - UCLA
![John Thanasukarn](/sites/g/files/oketem271/files/styles/3_2_720x480/public/media/images/Thanasukarn%2C_John.jpg?h=ab58381b&itok=RpHQuTEC)
John Thanasukarn
Professional Program: MD
Institution: UCLA
Project: Perspectives on Parenting Education as a Prenatal School Readiness Intervention
Mentor: Ashaunta Tumblin, MD, MPH, MSHS - UCLA
![Khoa Tran](/sites/g/files/oketem271/files/styles/3_2_720x480/public/media/images/Tran%2C_Khoa.jpg?h=ab58381b&itok=W1zx8IJv)
Khoa Tran
Professional Program: DDS
Institution: UCLA
Project: First 5 California - Improving Children's Dental Homes within Greater Los Angeles County
Mentor: James Crall, DDS, MS, ScD - UCLA
Laura Van
Professional Program: DDS
Institution: UCLA
Project: Children with Special Health Care Needs and their Access to Preventative Medical and Dental Care
Mentor: Carl Maida, PhD, MA - UCLA
Olivia Yue
Professional Program: DDS
Institution: UCLA
Project: Evaluation of the Implementation of Health Literate Organization Tool Box Guidelines
Mentor: Jennifer Holtzman, DDS, MPH - UCLA