Class of 2023

Caitlin Carmody

University of Florida Hometown: Ocala, FL. Involvement: ASDA, Admissions Outreach Ambassador "I am a non-traditional student, married to my best friend and have 2 children."

CLASS of 2023

Payton Ledman

University of Florida Hometown: Panama City Beach, FL. Involvement: AAWD event coordinator, Psi O social director, ASDA, AAPHD. "I try to stay active in Gainesville by running and playing tennis, I also love to snow ski! One of my favorite things to do is travel."

class of 2022

Claudia Azard

University of Central Florida Hometown: Miami, FL. Involvement: AAWD, American Association of Public Health Dentists (AAPHD). "I am a non-traditional student who is also a mother, juggling dental school and raising my 13-year-old son. I am a Navy veteran and a Registered Dental Hygienist. I'm more than happy to assist anyone in any way I can. I'm currently on an Army scholarship, if you're interested in taking the military route after dental school."

Class of 2023

Wooy Jean-Baptiste

University of Florida Hometown: Sunrise, FL. Involvement: Psi Omega, SNDA. "I am a Haitian-born, first-generation dentist and the first in my family to attend higher education. I like to spend my free time working out, playing basketball, or hanging out with friends. Super open to help out with any questions you may have, so don't be shy!"

Class of 2022

Abdulrahman Chahbandar

University of South Florida Hometown: Tampa, FL. Involvement: Vice president of the American Association of Public Health Dentist (AAPHD), local community dental work like FreeDOM, WeCARE, and RAM. "I enjoy playing a lot of sports and working out in my free time."

class of 2022

Stephie Cyril

University of Florida Hometown: Vero Beach, FL. Involvement: ASDA, SNDA, Super Sealant Saturday Volunteer Coordinator, FreeDOM clinic. "I am a first generation college student born in Dubai and raised in England."

Class of 2021

Chione Daniel

University of Florida Hometown: Miami, FL. Involvement: SNDA, Dental College Council, CEO of The Mouth Matters, Black Student Ambassadors Group, service trips to Jamaica and Guatemala, FreeDOM, Equal Access Clinic, Psi Omega, Academy of General Dentistry, intramural sports, General Practice and Periodontology Interest Groups. "I've created a social media platform to help decrease oral health disparities, mentor pre-dental students and promote oral hygiene. Instagram: TheMouthMatters."

Class of 2022

Kristen Fernandez

University of Florida Hometown: Miami, FL. Involvement: Secretary of Psi Omega, ASDA, Ecuador Service Trip, American Association of Public Health Dentistry. "My family is Cuban, so I am bilingual. I'm happy to answer any questions about housing, places to go, things to do, what it's like to live in Gainesville, etc. My favorite thing to do is travel!"

Class of 2022

Nicole Escoffier

University of Florida Hometown: Niceville, FL. Involvement: AAWD, ASDA, clinical affairs committee, military scholarship program through Air Force.

Class of 2021

Courtney Fridella

University of Florida Hometown: St. Petersburg, FL; Tampa, FL. Involvement: Vice President of AAWD, ASDA Pre- Dental Director, Psi Omega, Gross Anatomy tutor. "I love to workout and ski, and I want to stay in Florida for my career."

Class of 2021

Brandon Gervasi

Brigham Young University Hometown: Cleveland, OH. Involvement: Jamaica Service Trip, Student Performance Evaluation Committee, Academy of General Dentistry, Tutor, Teaching Assistant. "I'm the first to become dentist in family, out-of-state/non-resident applicant, and married."

Class of 2022

Justin Graham

University of Florida Hometown: Ocala, FL. Involvement: ASDA, Super Sealant Saturday, Tutoring, Curriculum Committee. "I am married. I did a gap year outside of New York City where I worked as an internet sales representative, and I have lived off and on in Gainesville since 2012."

Class of 2021

Dila Kaya

University of Florida Hometown: Boca Raton, FL. Involvement: Ecuador Service Trip, Psi Omega, AAWD, ASDA. "I'm happy to answer questions about overall life in Gainesville, from living arrangements to transportation and activities."

CLASS of 2023

Stephanie Taylor

University of Florida Hometown: Tampa, FL. Involvement: Dental Ambassadors, AAWD, Psi Omega, FDA Leadership Development Committee, ASDA "I love to cook, practice yoga, play tennis and read. I'm happy to answer any of your questions. Welcome to UFCD!!"

Class of 2022

Melanie Lane

University of Florida Hometown: Pembroke Pines, FL. Involvement: ASDA Community Service Chair, SNDA, Psi Omega. "I strive to keep a balanced lifestyle and have created ways to keep stress to a minimum throughout dental school. I have lived in Gainesville for 5 years now, so I'm happy to answer questions about living in the city."

Class of 2022

Hyunseo Lee

Barnard College New York, NY. Hometown: Ormond Beach/Daytona Beach, FL. Involvement: Summer Research Program, Student Research Group, SNDA. "I'm a FL resident but went to undergrad out-of-state."

class of 2021

Karla Matamoros

University of Florida Hometown: Port St. Lucie, FL. Involvement: Psi Omega, SNDA secretary, ASDA, AAWD, humanitarian service trips. "My 2 older sisters are dentists. My family is from Nicaragua, so I'm bilingual. I spend every winter break in Park City, Utah, snowboarding!"

CLASS of 2023

Liza Kanter

University of Maryland Hometown: Miami, FL. Involvement: D2 Class President, American Association of Women Dentists (AAWD), ASDA, Psi Omega “I come from a medical family and enjoy running, yoga, and Netflix. Gainesville is the first small town I’ve ever lived in so if you have any questions about moving to Gainesville and all of that feel free to ask.”

class of 2022

Sophia Mohseni

University of Florida Hometown: Tampa, FL. Involvement: President of the American Association of Public Health Dentists (AAPHD), ASDA, AAWD, Gross Anatomy Tutor, Psi Omega. “I enjoy working out and playing tennis to destress. My favorite thing to do is to travel. I’ve also been in Gainesville for 6 years so I’m happy to answer any questions about the city."

Class of 2022

Toni-Ann McLeod

University of South Florida Hometown: Pompano Beach, FL. Involvement: Historian for SNDA, AAWD. “I'm happy to share my experiences, like being originally an international student from Jamaica transitioning into the dental field and adjusting to life here in Gainesville.”

Class of 2023

Keith McIntosh

University of Florida Hometown: Miami, FL. Involvement: SNDA "I am first-generation Gator and dentist! I have been in Gainesville for almost 5 years and have many connections to the city."

CLASS OF 2023

Dayanne Ghorayeb

University of South Florida Hometown: Tampa, FL. Involvement: SNDA, AAWD, ASDA, PSI-Omega “I immigrated from Lebanon when I was young and will be a first generation dentist. I like to watch movies, go on trails around Gainesville, and have recently adopted a cat!”

Class of 2022

Natalie Pan

University of Florida Hometown: Orlando, FL. Involvement: Psi Omega, ASDA. "I am a traditional student who went right into dental school after graduating from UF, so I'm happy to answer questions about life in Gainesville. I am also a big foodie. I got Lasik eye surgery before dental school (thanks to Abel’s suggestion!)."

Class of 2021

Dhara Patel

University of Florida Hometown: Plant City, FL. Involvement: ASDA, AAWD, Psi Omega, Super Sealant Saturday, We Care, Ecuador Service Trip, Academy of General Dentistry. "I'm a traditional student who started dental school after undergrad at UF."

Class of 2022

Gabriela Portmann

University of Notre Dame Hometown: Vero Beach, FL. Involvement: ASDA, AAWD, Psi Omega, WeCare, Admissions Committee, Scheduling Committee. "I'm a Florida resident but studied out-of-state. My parents grew up in Venezuela, and I spent summers there. I lived in Switzerland until I was 5. I enjoy tennis, boxing, running, kayaking, hiking, and the beach."

Class of 2021

Ari Rick

University of Oklahoma Hometown: Denver, CO. Involvement: Class of 2021 Vice President, AAWD, Psi Omega. "I'm a Florida resident but studied out-of-state, and I am a cat mom!"

Class of 2023

Laura Sawires

University of Central Florida Hometown: Orlando, FL. Involvement: ASDA, AAWD, Super Sealant Saturday Scheduling Coordinator, Black Student Advocacy Group. "I was born and raised in Cairo, Egypt, and moved to the US a few years ago."

Class of 2021

Chemika St. Juste

University of Central Florida Hometown: Orlando, FL, but born and raised in New Orleans, LA. Involvement: President of SNDA, UF Summer Health Professions Education Program (SHPEP) mentor.

Class of 2022

Brooke Schloth

Florida State University Hometown: Jacksonville, FL. Involvement: Psi Omega, ASDA, FDA convention. "My parent and my sibling are dentists. I was highly involved in the Pre-Dental Society at FSU."

CLASS of 2023

Neeshi Patel

University of Florida Hometown: Lakeland, FL. Involvement: SNDA Secretary, Impressions Director, Summer Research Program. "Fun fact: as a student in the BS/DMD program I received my undergraduate degree after the white coat. I have also been at UF for 4 years now, so I am happy to answer any questions about life in Gainesville!"

Class of 2021

Rachel Shepard

UNC Chapel Hill Hometown: Herndon, VA, and Tampa, FL. Involvement: Jamaica service trip, Vice President of Psi Omega. "I'm have an out-of-state/non-resident student experience!"

Class of 2022

Carson Smith

University of Florida Hometown: Oviedo/Winter Springs, FL. Involvement: President of Class of 2022, Psi Omega, ASDA, Dental Ambassadors, Summer Research Program. "I'm a traditional UF graduate with strong involvement in the UF Pre-Dental Society. I have attended and competed in multiple dental research conferences."

Class of 2023

Sydnee Vaughan

University of Florida Hometown: Jacksonville, FL. Involvement: SNDA, ASDA, Psi Omega. “I am a first-generation dental student in the BS-DMD program. I love dogs and am a double Gator!”

Class of 2023

Chanyce Williams

University of South Florida Hometown: Tallahassee, FL. Involvement: Class of 2023 President, SNDA, AAPHD. "I will be a first-generation dentist. I’m new to Gainesville, but I am a Florida native: born and raised."

Class of 2022

Laura Van de Water

University of Central Florida Hometown: Orlando, FL. Involvement: AAWD, ASDA. "I took a gap year and worked in a dental office before dental school. I also lived at home throughout my undergraduate experience."

Class of 2022

Muvva Vangapalli

University of Florida Hometown: Winter Springs, FL. Involvement: ASDA District 5, AAPHD (American Association of Public Health Dentistry), Psi Omega. "I'm originally from Boston but later became a Florida resident and attended UF for undergrad."

Class of 2021

Zack Youngblood

Valdosta State University Hometown: Valdosta, GA. Involvement: Psi Omega, Ally-Gators, ASDA. "I'm originally from Georgia and have an out-of-state/non-resident student experience at UFCD."

Class of 2023

Wunmi Oni

University of Georgia Hometown:Lawrenceville, GA. (Also, Nigeria and England). Involvement: SNDA, Dental Ambassadors, Smiley Gators. "I am an out of state student, passionate about helping underserved/minority populations and interested in hospital dentistry."

CLASS OF 2023

Shelley Robinson

University of Florida Hometown: Miami, FL. Involvement: Social chair for Psi Omega Dental fraternity and the graphic designer for the American Association of Women Dentists! “I come from a family of dentists but am the first Gator Dentist! I consider myself a “Foodie” and know all about the best spots in Gainesville to get the yummiest bites! “

CLASS OF 2023

Drew Anderson

University of Florida Pensacola, FL. Involvement: I am the Vice President of American Association of Public Health Dentistry, which is an organization that helps the underserved in our community. I also serve as a Dental Ambassador and a class officer for the Class of 2023.

class of 2021

Siva Venkatachalam

University of Georgia Hometown: Columbus, GA. "I am an out of state student (Go Dawgs!!) but I have enjoyed my time here in Florida. Its been a great journey these past few years and I would love to answer any questions ya'll have about school or life in general."

class of 2023

Aubrie Zuiderveen

University of Florida Hometown: Caledonia, MI. Involvement: AAWD, Psi O, and ASDA. I am also the Clinic Affairs Committee Representative for the Class of 2023.

CLASS OF 2023

Emily Fuqua

University of Florida Hometown: Marianna, FL. Involvement: Class of 2023 Media Direct, AAWD, Psi Omega, ASDA. "I love to spend time with friends, working out & try new recipes! I am an open book and happy to answer any questions about dental school, life in Gainesville, best places to live and eat!"

class of 2023

Katherine Wei

Georgia Tech Hometown: Tallahassee, FL. "I'm a first-generation dental student who loves trying new food, traveling, and helping others. I'm happy to answer any of your questions about UFCD and Gainesville!"

class of 2023

Micaela Cleere

University of Central Florida Hometown: Sarasota, FL. Involvement: Dental Ambassadors, American Association of Women Dentists, Smiley Gators, Super Sealant Saturday. "I had the opportunity to take a gap year and work at a dental office with my mentor where I embarked on an immersive personal growth and development journey. If you ever need a book or podcast recommendation, let me know!"

class of 2023

Christy Mikhael

University of Florida Hometown: Redington Shores, FL. Involvement: D2 Community Service Chair, SNDA Fundraising Chair, AOA, Orthodontic Interest group Faculty Coordinator "I’m a first generation student but have been at UF for a little over 4 years. I love the nature around Gainesville and listening to podcasts so I have some good recommendations! Feel free to ask me anything!"