Riya N
- Research Program Mentor

DMD candidate at Tufts University

Expertise

Biology, Dentistry, Medicine, Public Health, Community Service/Philanthropy, Biomedical Sciences, Entrepreneurship

Bio

Hi there! My name is Riya and I am a currently pursuing a doctoral degree at Tufts University School of Dental Medicine to become a dentist. I am a National Health Service Corps Scholar and former Research Assistant at Stanford University School of Medicine. My passions include mentorship and watching re-runs of the Office! My work is centered around creating the best and most accessible healthcare experience -- whether that's through technology, direct service, or other methods. I look forward to working with you!

Project ideas

Project ideas are meant to help inspire student thinking about their own project. Students are in the driver seat of their research and are free to use any or none of the ideas shared by their mentors.

Public Health Problem-Solver

In this project you will choose an area of need in public health that interests you, and start a partnership with an organization to create a better solution for a problem they have. For example, working with Project Homeless Connect in SF to reliably and routinely package and distribute basic essentials to houseless community members.

Oral vs. Oropharyngeal Cancer -- Is There a Difference?

Spoiler alert! Yes, there are many differences! In this project you will conduct a literature review on the risk factors and differences between these two very different, but related diseases. This project would culminate in applying for publication.

Host on Health Disparities

In this project you will explore an area of health disparity -- whether that be in socioeconomic class, race, sex, or another population -- and then review sources that allow you to formulate an evidence-based opinion. Your project will include that opinion and possible solutions, to be featured online in print or via podcast!

Languages I know

Spanish

Teaching experience

I created a mentorship program in college for members of a selective entrepreneurship program. My team and I successfully matched 100 incoming freshmen with mentors, and I had two that I guided through college that I am still in contact with today! I also mentored and guided two high school students during the pandemic, and assisted them in pursuing their own projects within their extracurriculars, and taught them school full-time for a month while school had shut down. I am currently a mentor for two incoming dental students as well, and work with them to help create meaningful experiences while in school. Mentorship and teaching has been an important part of my journey, so I'm thrilled to be working with Polygence.

Credentials

Work experience

Veterans Affairs Hospital, Palo Alto (2014 - Current)

Head and Neck Cancer Care Coordinator

Stanford University School of Medicine (2016 - Current)

Research Assistant

AbbVie, Inc. (2014 - 2014)

Clinical Operations Intern

Raju Reddy, DDS MD (2014 - 2014)

Oral Surgery Intern

Education

University of Washington

BS Bachelor of Science (2018)

General Biology

Tufts University

DMD Doctor of Dental Medicine candidate

Dentistry

Interested in working with expert mentors like Riya?

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Riya N - Research Program Mentor