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Jade Pettaway- President
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Hi! My name is Jade Pettaway and I am a third year, double majoring in Biology and Sociology. I chose dentistry because it allows me to combine by sociological and STEM interest as a means to increase resources and opportunities to minority populations. My current involvement in dentistry includes being the current president of the Pre-dental society, volunteering at CARES Inc. and shadowing at my local dental office. Outside of dentistry my goals consist of writing poetry and excercising.
Saahiti Tammisetty- Co-Vice President
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Hi! My name is Saahiti Tammisetty and I am currently a third year at UVA majoring in Global Public Health and minoring in Health, Ethics, and Society. Dentistry has been one of my passions from a young age because of its interconnection between the arts and sciences. I chose to dedicate my studies to the field of dentistry as I hope to work toward combatting oral health disparities and increasing access to better care. At UVA, I've been involved in ASDA, Natural Teeth, and Pre-dental society. My additional involvements in dentistry include shadowing various specialties, volunteering at the Free Clinic, and working as a dental surgical assistant. Outside of dentistry, I enjoy baking, working out, and spending time with my friends.
Pratik Pugazhenthi- Co-Vice President
My name is Pratik Pugazhenthi and I’m a 4th year global public health major from Roanoke VA. I chose this field after volunteering at free healthcare clinics where I witnessed firsthand the life changing effects dentistry can have on those in need of care. On grounds, I am involved in Remote Area Medical @UVA, Madison House, and Natural Teeth@ UVA. Outside of dentistry, I love finding new music, playing basketball, and volunteering as en EMT.
Jasmine Collier- Treasurer
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Hi! My name is Jasmine Collier and I am majoring in Human Biology and minoring in Computer Science. I choose Dentirsty because I felt the most drawn to it when shadowing, and I love patient interaction, problem solving, and positively impacting the lives of others. In addition to PDS, I volunteer for the Free Dental Clinic and am a Research Assistant at the Kucenas Lab. Outside of dentistry, I am involved with TACO (Team Awareness Combatting Overdoses), Club Tennis, WXTJ and Camp Kesem. I love playing tennis, running and skiing.
Lauren Lam- Fundraising Chair
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Zainab Raja- Publicity Chair
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Hello! My name is Lauren Lam, and I’m a third year majoring in biology and minoring in bioethics. I chose dentistry because I want to help others be confident in their smile, and I really enjoy how artistic it is! I have been involved in dentistry by shadowing at a dental office and an orthodontic office in my hometown. Outside of PDS, I play the clarinet in the Cavalier Marching Band, I’m a sister of Alpha Kappa Delta Phi, and I enjoy listening to music and doing arts and crafts.
Faizan Ali- Service Chair
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​Hi pre-dents! I'm Faizan and I'm a second year planning on doing a biology major. I am choosing to pursue dentistry because the field allows you to be creative, business-oriented, and help others. During the school year I volunteer at the Charlottesville Free Dental Clinic and over the summers I have been working at a few local private practices, gaining exposure in pediatrics, general dentistry, and orthodontics. In my free time I enjoy working out, singing, playing sports, and failing at new cooking recipes.
David Cha- Social Chair
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Hi my name is David Cha and I am a cs and biology double major in the college. I chose dentistry because I enjoy working with my hands while helping others. In the past, I have shadowed a variety of dentists (general, ortho, prosth) and volunteered as an assistant at the Charlottesville free clinic. currently, II am the president of the uva global medical missions alliance (gmma) chapter, and have led medical/dental missions trips to honduras. in my free time i enjoy gymming and playing spikeball,
Chloe Dowlen- Social Chair
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Hi! My name is Chloe and I’m a third year from Richmond, Virginia. I’m majoring in Human Biology and I chose to pursue dentistry because I spent an extensive amount of time at the dentist and orthodontist to perfect the alignment of my teeth and it really sparked my interest in the field. I’m also in Remote Area Medical at UVA and I work as a dental intern at a dentist office. In my free time I really enjoy going to concerts and hiking around Charlottesville!
Soren Gandhi- Shadowing Coordinator
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​Hey! My name is Soren Gandhi and I’m a second year majoring in Biology on a pre-dental track. I want to be a dentist because 1) it’s a job that has a lot of meaning and importance and 2) the topics of study to get there are interesting to me. My involvements in dentistry include volunteering at the Charlottesville Free Dental Clinic as a dental assistant during the school year, and shadowing a local dentist in my hometown Bethlehem, Pennsylvania during the summer. Outside of PDS and dentistry, I like to play basketball, practice piano, and learn other fun skills.
Alex Nguyen- Shadowing Coordinator
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​I’m alex nguyen and I’m a third year majoring in Psychology on the predental track. I chose to do dentistry because I feel like it is a good balance between the medical field while also being able to connect with patients on a more frequent level. Other than PDS, I am in Hearts for Homeless and also Magical Moments. Outside of pre dental activities I like to spend my time with friends, playing sports, or even lifting!
