November 2024. I spent several days shadowing at the Vanderbilt Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. The pace of the OR is different from general dentistry — more planning, less improvisation, and a much higher standard for communication across the surgical team. I left with a better sense of what draws clinicians to oral surgery and what the training path looks like. It has stayed with me as I think about specialization.
Category: Internships and Shadowing
Comma Collective
September 2024- Jan 2025. Joined the Comma Collective (Startup) as Intern analyzing clinical trial databases to identify trends affecting women’s health; findings inform a women’s lifestyle and health app. Comma is women founded. I can see how starting a company is difficult, but also very motivating and exciting. Having a mission based on personal experience is what drives Comma (plus caffeine).
Orthodontics
I spent three days observing orthodontic practices at Lucas Orthodontics gaining exposure to patient consultations, treatment planning, and clinical workflow. I got my own braces at Lucas a few years back and I am glad they gave me this opportunity.
Orthodontics
Gluck Orthodontics, December 2023
Job Shadowing
Provided hands-on support and completed prep work. I was impressed by the practice’s top-notch setup. Reviews are great. I plan to return as RDA and will continue applying for jobs in the summer.
Dental Surgery
SOUTHERN ORAL AND FACIAL SURGERY, FRANKLIN, TN (MAY 2023)
Job Shadowing
I shadowed a somewhat more complex wisdom teeth removal surgery at Southern Oral and Facial Surgery. My dad’s wisdom teeth extraction in the same place two years earlier ranked in the top 10 for complexity. Name recognition landed me the opportunity…
Research Assistant
VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY, NASHVILLE, TN, JUNE-AUGUST 2023 (FULLTIME)
High-Throughput Screening (HTS) facility
I worked with the assay development and HTS team on biochemical and cell-based screens to identify lead compounds for mechanistic studies and drug discovery. My role involved assay support, automation assistance, and data capture. I’m grateful for mentorship from Joshua Bauer, Ph.D., and Debbie Mi, Ph.D., whose guidance helped me bridge laboratory research with clinical ambitions.
Alzheimer Research
VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER, NASHVILLE, TN, JUNE-AUGUST 2022 (FULLTIME)
Research Intern (Paid/Stipend)
Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology, and Metabolism
I assisted Fiona Harrison, PhD. on studies using 5xFAD mice to examine how manganese affects Alzheimer’s-related motor deficits. Conducted hands-on live animal research involving mice, including dissections and brain slicing. Contributed to the research report “Motor function deficits in the 12-month-old female 5xFAD mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease.