I am a Bay Area native and grew up in Alameda. I am a graduate of Stanford University with a Bachelors of Science in Biological Sciences. Following that, I received my Dental Degree from Harvard University.

While at Harvard, I was also a Public Health Fellow and received my Masters in Public Health with a specialty in Health Policy and Management / International Policy along with my Dental Degree. I then returned to the West Coast and attended the University of Washington to complete my Certificate and Masters Degree in the specialty of Orthodontics. During my training, I was a US Public Health Service Commissioned Officer, which allowed me to pursue my interest in research at the National Institutes of Health.

I am a Clinical Professor at UCSF and teach the orthodontic residents at La Clinica de la Raza in Oakland. I have served on the Editorial Board for both the American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, and the Angle Orthodontist.

My professional affiliations include the American Association of Orthodontists, American Dental Association, California Dental Association, Southern Alameda County Dental Society, Pacific Coast Society of Orthodontists, California Association of Orthodontists, Phi Beta Kappa at Stanford University, and Omicron Kappa Upsilon at Harvard University.

I have published numerous articles in several prestigious professional journals. My dental and orthodontic research was presented at the meetings of the American Dental Association, the International Association of Dental Research, the International Health Technology Assessment in Health Care Conference, and the Pacific Coast Society of Orthodontists. I have received numerous awards, including international recognition for research performed at Harvard, as well as work at the University of Washington. One research project even made it onto the front page of the New York Times!

I just launched my daughter off to UC Davis so I now have free time to spend traveling, cycling, swimming, gardening, cooking, and generally enjoying all that the Bay Area has to offer. Looking forward to the days ahead working in a community I will always call home.