Kimia Baghaei

Elected representative: Research-Intensive Graduate Programs Representative

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.

Rose Rafiei

Elected representative: Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry GSA Council Representative

Rose received her DDS degree in 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.

Hedie Majidirad

Elected representative: Members-at-large

Hedie Majidi Rad, DDS, is a graduate student in Dentistry at the University of Alberta. She earned her DDS from Azad University of Medical Sciences in Tehran. During dental school, she served as an Executive Member of the Student Committee of the Iranian Dental Association, where she enjoyed contributing to the dental student community.

Her research interests include orthodontics, craniofacial imaging, and artificial intelligence, with a particular interest in exploring how emerging technologies can support dental research and clinical practice.

Chandrasekharan Ramakrishnan

Elected representative: Members-at-large

Chandrasekharan (Chan) is formally trained as a biotechnology engineer whose fascination with antimicrobial resistance has driven his research since his undergraduate years in India. His graduate research now focuses on oral infections in immunocompromised cancer patients, with a focus on new and innovative ways to tackle drug-resistant pathogens. Apart from graduate research and his role in the SRG, Chan also serves as the meeting planner for the Oral Health Science Seminars at the department. When he isn't working in the lab, you will find him cheering on his favourite soccer team, FC Barcelona or out running along Edmonton's river trails.

Ava Nasr Esfahani

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. After six years of clinical dental practice, she joined the MSc program in dentistry at the University of Alberta in 2024 to further pursue her interests in research and academia.

Her research focuses on identifying priorities related to patient engagement and adherence in periodontal care by incorporating the perspectives of patients and oral healthcare providers. She has developed strong interests in patient-oriented research, evidence synthesis, and improving oral healthcare delivery.

Ava is actively involved in graduate student leadership and advocacy. She currently serves as the Graduate Student Representative for the Mike Petryk School of Dentistry within the University of Alberta Graduate Students’ Association and is a member of the Canadian Society for Disability and Oral Health. She previously served as President of the Student Research Group (SRG), following an earlier term as Treasurer.

Outside academia, Ava enjoys spending time with her family and cats, gaming, socializing with friends, and learning French.

Mohsen Gholizadeh

Mohsen is currently a PhD student who graduated with his MSc in dentistry in 2024 and earned his DDS in Iran. He serves as a Graduate Studies Committee Representative and brings over four years of international clinical experience as a practicing dentist. Alongside his studies, he acts as the Team Lead and Lab Manager for the TEB LAB. His academic research focuses on regenerative approaches in orthodontics. In his free time, Mohsen enjoys photography, road cycling, and swimming, as well as spending time with friends and family.

Yuki Ferguson

Yuki is currently a second-year doctor of dental surgery student. Before coming to Edmonton, Yuki went to the University of Calgary, completing a bachelor's degree in biomedical sciences with a minor in economics. There, Yuki was fortunate enough to get involved with different research projects, including economic research on generic drugs under Dr. Reed Beall and biochemical regulation of lymphatic drainage as part of the von der Weid laboratory.

More recently, though, Yuki is involved in an ongoing project on CBCT education under the supervision of Dr. Camila Pereira, Dr. Nazlee Sharmin, Dr. Ava Chow, and Swarna Yerebairapura Math. Outside of school, Yuki enjoys trying new cafes throughout the city, spending time with his cat Daisy, and hand-making tufted rugs.

Jerome Jacobe

Jerome is a BScDH student (Class of 2029) at the Mike Petryk School of Dentistry. He is actively involved in research, currently working under Dr. Minn-Nyoung Yoon, where he is investigating the continuity/barriers to care in vulnerable populations (PEH). Jerome is excited to represent the dental hygiene program and support student-led initiatives as part of the SRG.

Iqra Damani

Adetomiwa (Tommy) Adedire

Adetomiwa (Tomi) is an internationally trained dentist from Nigeria with a strong commitment to advancing oral health equity through research, education, mentorship, and community engagement.

He completed his Master’s in Dental Sciences at McGill University, where his research examined the association between food insecurity and the oral health status of low-income adults attending a cost-free dental clinic in Montreal. He is currently in the first year of his PhD program at the University of Alberta, under the supervision of Dr. Maryam Amin. His doctoral research focuses on the dietary and structural determinants of unmet oral health treatment needs among Canadian children and adolescents.

Tomi’s passion for research and academic leadership began during his undergraduate studies at Obafemi Awolowo University in Nigeria, where he pioneered the Student Research Group within the Faculty of Dentistry. At McGill University, he further demonstrated his commitment to interprofessional education and global health as a student coordinator for the student-led McGill Interprofessional Global Health Course. In this role, he and his team guest speakers from across Canada and facilitated learning sessions for 68 students on approaches to addressing complex global health challenges.

Beyond his academic and research pursuits, Tomi has demonstrated a longstanding commitment to improving access to oral healthcare. He has participated in more than 40 dental outreach initiatives across Nigeria, contributing to efforts to address oral health inequalities in underserved communities.

Tomi is also passionate about mentorship and supporting the development of other students. He has mentored more than 20 undergraduate and graduate students in Canada and Nigeria. At McGill, he served as a mentor in the McGill Mentorship Buddy Program, where he supported graduate students in navigating their academic programs and achieving greater stability and success. He also served as the postgraduate student representative for the McGill Dentistry Graduate Student Association, advocating for and supporting the interests of graduate students within the dental community.

Outside of research, academics, and professional service, Tomi enjoys spending time with his family, watching movies, and appreciating the beauty of nature.

Dr. Umar Rekhi, BDS, PhD, FRCDC

Dr. Umar Rekhi is a board-certified periodontist and an Assistant Clinical Professor in the Periodontology Graduate Program at the Mike Petryk School of Dentistry, University of Alberta. He earned his Bachelor of Dental Surgery from the University of Health Sciences in Pakistan and later completed specialty training in Periodontology and a PhD at the University of Alberta.

Dr. Rekhi is a Fellow of the Royal College of Dentists of Canada and a Diplomate of the American Board of Periodontology. At the University of Alberta, he is involved in undergraduate and graduate teaching, student mentorship, and research supervision.

His research interests focus on periodontal–systemic disease interactions, particularly the relationship between periodontal disease and cardiovascular disease, as well as the role of CD36 in atherosclerosis. He has authored peer-reviewed publications and presented his research at local, national, and international scientific meetings.