Student Research Group

Ava Nasr Esfahani
Elected Representative: Research-Intensive Graduate Programs

Ava was born and raised in the historic city of Isfahan, Iran, where she earned her DDS from Isfahan University of Medical Sciences in 2017. With six years of dedicated dental practice, she decided to delve deeper into her passion for research and academia, joining the Master's program in Dentistry at the University of Alberta in 2024. Currently, she is pioneering research to establish patient engagement priorities in periodontal care. Ava values the remarkable journey at the University of Alberta, where top-tier faculty, peers, and resources enhance her academic experience. She also serves as the Graduate Student Representative at the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Advisory Committee at FoMD. Outside of academia, she treasures time with her family and cats, enjoys gaming, and socializing with friends. Driven by a love for languages, she is also learning French and German in her spare time.

Kimia Baghaei
Elected Representative: Member at Large

Kimia Baghaei earned her Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree from the Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, where she also served as Head of the Dental Student Research Committee. Her passion for research has led to several international publications in areas such as dental implantology, prosthodontics, and oral radiology. Currently, Kimia is pursuing graduate studies focusing on the use of ultrasound in diagnosing temporomandibular joint (TMJ) diseases. In her free time, she enjoys photography, swimming, playing the piano, and spending time with friends and family, often exploring new places and capturing moments through her camera lens.

Rojin Adabdokht
Elected Representative: Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry Council Representative

Rose Rafiei
Elected Representative: Graduate Students’ Association Council Representative

Rose received her DDS degree from Iran in 2021 and moved to Canada to experience a new world and expand her horizons. She is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Dentistry at the University of Alberta, where her research focuses on the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) position and airway changes following orthodontic treatment. She is passionate about advancing her knowledge and skills through research and is excited to contribute to studies that enhance understanding of dental and craniofacial health. In her free time, Rose enjoys baking, reading, playing with her cat, and exploring the city with friends and family.

Maryam Shahrokhi Sardoo

Maryam was born in Kerman, in southern Iran. She earned her Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree in 2021 from Shiraz University and practiced dentistry for over three years. She also served as a clinical instructor in the Restorative and Pediatric Dentistry Department at Kerman University of Medical Sciences, where she contributed to both teaching and research. Maryam is a Master of Science in Dentistry student at the University of Alberta, focusing on orthodontics, oral health, and patient-centered research. Her current work also explores the applications of AI in oral health and dental education. In addition to her academic and clinical work, she serves as Secretary-Treasurer for the National Student Research Group (NSRG), supporting student-led research initiatives and professional development in dental education across Canada. She is also an active member of the Canadian Association for Dental Research (CADR) and the Network for Canadian Oral Health Research (NCOHR), committed to advancing evidence-based and patient-centered dental care. Outside academia, Maryam enjoys playing volleyball, hiking, and exploring the outdoors.

Jonny Boehme

Jonny is a third-year dental student at the University of Alberta. Before entering dental school, he completed undergraduate studies in psychology and business at MacEwan University. His early research experience includes working as a research assistant in Dr. David McFadyen’s genetics lab at MacEwan. Jonny is currently involved in a project under the supervision of Drs. Carlos Flores Mir and Raisa Catunda, focusing on pediatric obstructive sleep apnea. In his spare time, he enjoys running and biking Edmonton's extensive trail network, spending time with his family, and playing for the Molar Bear intramural hockey team.

Lina Al-Baghdadi

Lina is a Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene student (Class of 2026) at the University of Alberta. She has explored research in both oral biology and public health, which has deepened her interest in improving access to oral care. She currently volunteers as a research assistant and serves as the Dental Hygiene research representative, helping her peers discover and pursue research opportunities. Lina’s interests lie at the intersection of research, public health, and community outreach.

Masoud Mirimoghaddam

Masoud obtained his DDS degree from Iran in 2018 and practiced dentistry for three years. He then pursued graduate studies at the University of Alberta, joining as an MSc student in 2021, focusing on healthcare utilization of oral cancer patients in Alberta. Currently, he is a PhD student in periodontology, aiming to apply the data analytical skills he developed during his master's studies and utilize artificial intelligence to enhance periodontal and broader dental research. When he's not doing research, Masoud enjoys hiking, spending time in nature, and sharing quality moments with friends and family.

Swarna Yerebairapura Math

Swarna is an internationally trained specialist in Oral Medicine and Radiology from India. After completing her postgraduate training, she began her academic career in India, where she served as a faculty member for four years. She later moved with her family to Malaysia, where she continued her journey as both a faculty member and practising specialist for over nine years. Since graduation, Swarna has been actively involved in research, contributing to numerous scholarly activities and serving as a committee member for several national and international conferences. With over 13 years of combined academic and clinical experience, she decided to further her expertise by pursuing a PhD, which she commenced in Fall 2023. Her current research focuses on the integration of augmented intelligence in oral and maxillofacial radiology. Outside of her professional life, Swarna enjoys spending quality time with her family and cherishes moments with her daughter. She also loves dancing, painting, and exploring new places with her family.

Dr. Reid Friesen

Dr. Friesen is a board-certified Oral Medicine specialist. He graduated from the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta in 2014. During his dental education, he won several awards, including the Gold Medal in Dentistry for graduating first overall in his dental class. Subsequently, he embarked on his Oral Medicine Specialty training at the University of Alberta and obtained a master’s degree in medical sciences in 2018. He is currently an Assistant Clinical Professor at the University of Alberta and is involved in training Oral Medicine graduate students, as well as undergraduate dental and dental hygiene students. Additionally, he is a fellow of the Royal College of Dentists of Canada (RCDC). His clinical practice focuses on the treatment of Orofacial Pain/Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction, Oral Mucosal Disease and Dental Sleep Medicine.