Penn Dental Student Selected for Dental Careers Fellowship Program

Payal Verma (D’14)

 Philadelphia – Payal Verma (D’14), a third-year Penn Dental Medicine student in the Program for Advanced Standing Students, has been selected as one of 10 fellows for the 2013 ADEAGies Foundation/AADR Academic Dental Careers Fellowship Program (ADCFP).

Established in 2006 with the goal of encouraging and preparing students to enter academic dentistry, the year-long ADCFP provides U.S. and Canadian dental students with training, mentorship, and hands-on experiences in research, teaching, and other aspects of academic careers in dental schools. Verma will be working with Dr. Andres Pinto, Associate Professor of Oral Medicine and Division Chief of Community Oral Health at Penn Dental Medicine, as her faculty mentor.

“I am very honored to receive this fellowship, and I especially thank Dr. Pinto for his utmost support and encouragement,” says Dr. Verma. “I strongly believe that ADCFP will provide me the perfect platform to channel my clinical skills and experience in research toward fulfilling my aims and aspirations.”

Fellows and mentors work closely throughout the year, starting with a training session for all participants at the 2013 ADEA Annual Session & Exhibition, March 18-19, in Seattle and concluding at the 2014 ADEA Annual Session & Exhibition where fellows will make a poster presentation on their ADCFP experience. Other program components include a research practicum; a teaching practicum in four settings; biweekly collaborations between the fellow and mentor; faculty/administrators interviews; webinar training sessions; career reflection essays; and a portfolio and program evaluations.

“This is pivotal opportunity for us to cultivate the faculty of the future and for our students to learn about the great satisfaction that an academic career can offer,” adds Dr. Pinto. “It is a true honor to be able to mentor Payal.”