Biochemistry majors and pre-dental students Aseya Mahamed ’27 and Kamryn Sanborn ’28 are researching the use of high-intensity ultrasound for the non-invasive treatment of endodontic infections at the Biomedical Ultrasound Lab. They shared what drew them to biochemistry and dentistry.
“I’ve always been interested in science and the way things work,” says Aseya Mahamed ’27, who was attracted to the variety of STEM majors offered at Simmons, as well as the close-knit community. “One-on-one time with professors and smaller classes, that’s the best learning environment for me.”
Mahamed’s research partner, Kamryn Sanborn ’28, initially came to Simmons as a biology major, but changed to biochemistry after taking “Organic Chemistry I” (CHEM 224) with Professor Rich Gurney. “I took chemistry in high school and didn’t like it, but at Simmons, I was succeeding in all of my chemistry classes. [Professor Gurney’s] style made more sense to me.”
The students are also on the Pre-Health Professions Track for dentistry, receiving guidance to accomplish all of their required courses to be a good candidate for dental school.
The Path to Dentistry
“I hate being a [dental] patient, but I want to be a dentist,” Mahamed explains, noting the common complaints: intrusion on personal space and pain. However, she foresees changes in the industry. “There is a way to make dentistry easier for patients, and I definitely want to be a part of that.”
For Sanborn, the appeal was more obvious. “I loved going to the dentist as a kid!” she recalled, though she appreciates the challenge. “People put a lot of trust into their dentist and hygienist. It’s a very vulnerable place for patients. To be in that chair and have full confidence and trust in [your] dentist is hard.”
Mahamed sees perfecting teeth as a public good. “Personally, I think smiles are the biggest form of charity,” she says. “As a kid, I had the worst teeth. I never smiled in photos or at people. I went to the dentist, got some work done, and got more confidence. Now, I always smile with my teeth! My dentist gave me the confidence to smile and the power to brighten someone else’s day by smiling at them. That is the joy of dentistry.”
Before Simmons, Mahamed spread her focus over different disciplines in school; she thinks this eclectic approach will support her future studies. “There is always something new when it comes to dentistry; you’re not always doing the same thing. It involves art, engineering, science, and interacting with people. I consider myself a creative person, meticulous, and a perfectionist when it comes to art. Dentistry is the perfect mix of everything I’m interested in.”
Research at Biomedical Ultrasound Lab
Mahamed recalled hearing from another pre-dental student about her experience in the Biomedical Ultrasound Lab on the Simmons campus. “I read her lab report to learn more. She was using ultrasound waves for a less invasive root canal.”
The report, and the variety of skills needed for work in the lab, piqued the students’ interest.
“[The Ultrasound Lab] is physics-based, but mixes everything. Calculus, engineering. We had to solder wire [fuse, using a soldering iron] and work with a transducer [converting energy from one form to another],” notes Sanborn.
The students work with Department of Chemistry and Physics Professor Jason White, who is also the Director of the Dual Degree Engineering Program. “I’m not a physics or calculus person, but [Dr. White] has a way of explaining it,” says Mahamed. “He’ll take his time to help you understand, but not just give you the answer. He’ll make you work for it.”
Sanborn had never taken physics when she entered the Lab. “We went into this so scared, we knew nothing. We had no idea what we were looking at when it came to the different machines, but he broke it down, piece by piece, so we could understand everything. He was so patient and started out very slow. He’s been a huge mentor to us.”
Mahamed recalls Dr. White’s initial approach. “His first question was, ‘What is sound?’ I thought it would be a trick question, that he wanted some complex [answer], but he was breaking it down to the starting point of focused ultrasound.”
Advice for Simmons Students
“Take advantage of being in the Longwood Medical Area,” Sanborn advises prospective students. “[Simmons is] surrounded by hospitals!” For Sanborn, opportunities to “shadow” professionals in the field have been incredibly impactful. “It offers a perspective on what the job actually is,” she says. Mahamed notes that shadowing can also be done for course credit.
Sanborn and Mahamed have found a small community of dental students in the Boston area. They’ve joined a pre-dental liaison email chain to learn about local opportunities, including a pre-dental class offered through Harvard School of Dental Medicine last semester. They also advise connecting with other pre-dental students via LinkedIn.
For Mahamed, the sense of community is vital. “I’m a busy body!” she says. “I like talking to people. I need to meet one new person per day.”
“Simmons offers such a non-competitive environment where everyone wants to help each other, especially in the pre-dental community,” says Sanborn.