Established in 1912, the Cryer Society honors the legacy of Dr. Matthew Cryer, a distinguished Professor of Oral Surgery, researcher, and clinician. The Society’s main functions are to acknowledge and honor academic achievements, while serving as a body of reference and resource to new students entering the School. This year’s inductees include Alexandra A. DeGeorge, Scott Seung Young Kim, Jason W. Lee, Ji Y. Lim, Sara Kathryn Malenbaum, Jeffrey A. Pace, Riddhiben V. Patel, Matthew S. Ryskalczyk, John J. Schier, and Jeremy D. Wano. Mariam Naeem (D’15) Awarded Cheung Family World Scholarship
First-year Penn Dental Medicine student Mariam Naeem (D’15) has been selected as a Cheung Family World Scholar. A native of Islamabad, Pakistan, she is committed to returning to her home country after graduation to become a passionate voice for change in the dental field. “I first developed an interest in dentistry when I shadowed a dentist in Pakistan during the summer before my sophomore year in college. I enjoyed the experience so much that I returned to Penn and started shadowing dentists in the area, as well as faculty at the dental school,” says Naeem, who earned her undergraduate degree at Penn as well. “I noticed a lot of differences in the way that dentistry was practiced here and in Pakistan. The more I learned about the profession in the U.S., the more I was drawn to it with the conviction that I could return home one day and improve on the aspects that were lacking in Pakistan.” The Cheung Family World Scholarship was established by Penn Dental Medicine’s Board of Overseers Chair, Dr. William Cheung (D’81, GD’82), and his wife, Cathy, to support students from developing countries who plan to return to their home country to practice. Naeem received scholarship funds for this academic year and next.
20 on campus: people
ADA Foundation Scholarships: Chosen from a national pool of second-year dental students. Recipients: Erica Damante, (D’14), Nicole Fernandez (D’14), Lamarr Holland (D’14), and Isaac Kuyunov (D’14).
“The more I learned about the profession in the U.S., the more I was drawn to it with the conviction that I could return home one day and improve on the aspects that were lacking in Pakistan.”
— mariam naeem (d’15)
“This scholarship came at a very critical point in meeting the challenges I was facing in financing dental school,” says Naeem. “I am honored to be a recipient of this scholarship and equally grateful for the mentorship of Dr. Cheung. Through this, I feel more confident as I seek a platform to implement the changes I hope for.” Looking ahead, Naeem is focused on using her Penn Dental Medicine education to help implement reforms in the practice and teaching of dentistry in third-world countries like her native Pakistan.“At this point, I am not sure if I want to be a generalist or specialist or pursue public health dentistry, but as I go through dental school, I am exploring all possible options.” Student Scholarships
This academic year, a number of Penn Dental Medicine students were recognized for their academic achievements and promise with the following scholarships: ADEA/Johnson & Johnson Healthcare Products Preventive Dentistry Scholarships: Presented to 12 predoctoral dental students nationwide who have demonstrated academic excellence in preventive dentistry. Recipients: Leslie-Anne Fitzpatrick (D’13) and Kajal Patel (D’12).
Arthur I. Steinberg Scholarship: Awarded to two first-year Psi Omega fraternity members who exemplify excellence in academics, leadership, and character as embodied by Dr. Arthur I. Steinberg, a Psi Omega member from 1977-present. Recipients: Lena Cushing (D’14) and Laura Girt (D’14). New Era Dental Society Scholarship: Awarded by the New Era Dental Society, Philadelphia's chapter of the National Dental Association, to members of Penn Dental Medicine’s Student National Dental Association. Recipients: Rachel Callaway (D’13), Rayna Strong (D’, 13), Michael Aregbesola (D’13), Chioma Nwaneshiudu (D’13), Lesley-Anne Fitzpatrick (D’13), Jemima Louis (D’13), Alison St. Paul (D’12), and Ngozi Okoh (D’12). New Department Chairs Named to Microbiology, Orthodontics
Penn Dental Medicine has appointed new Chairmen within two academic departments – Microbiology and Orthodontics. Robert Ricciardi, MA, PhD, has been named Chairman of the Department of Microbiology; his appointment was effective February 1, Dr. Robert Ricciardi 2012. Dr. Ricciardi has a long-time affiliation with University’s basic science departments and Penn Dental Medicine. From 1981-1992, while at the Wistar Institute, he served on the faculty of Penn’s Graduate Departments of Microbiology, Genetics, and Biochemistry, and joined