Class of 2024 Residents
Seung ah Jung was born and raised in South Korea. While growing up, she dreamed of pursuing her education in the United States, and at age 16, she enrolled in high school in Cambridge, Massachusetts. After finishing high school, she completed her undergraduate studies in cellular and molecular biology at the University of Michigan and earned her DDS degree from the UCLA School of Dentistry in 2022. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling, going to the movies, and visiting theme parks.
Kristen Lo was born in Santa Barbara, CA and raised in Saratoga, CA. She graduated from the University of California, Davis in 2018 with a bachelor of science in cell biology and a minor in managerial economics. She earned her DDS at University of the Pacific, Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry in 2022. She is ecstatic to be staying at the Dugoni School for her orthodontic residency. In her free time, she enjoys dressmaking, practicing archery, going to the beach, and spending time with friends and family.
Esha Patel was born and raised in Silicon Valley. She completed her undergraduate education in biological sciences at the University of the Pacific as part of the acceler- ated pre-dental program. Esha continued her dental school education at the Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry where she was inducted into the Omicron Kappa Upsilon honor society. Outside of school, she enjoys traveling, staying active at the gym and oil painting. Esha is excited to return to the University for a third time to complete a residency in orthodontics.
Jeff Roseth was born and raised in Fresno, California. He went on to attend and play collegiate golf at the University of California, San Diego where he earned a B.S degree in biology. Upon completion of his studies at UCSD, he obtained his DMD from the Arizona School of Dentistry and Oral Health (ASDOH) and graduated in 2022, becoming the first dentist in his family. He is excited to be back in California and honored to be able to pursue his dream of becoming an orthodontist at the Dugoni School. In his free time, Jeff enjoys spending time outdoors golfing, hiking, exercising and exploring his new home in the Bay Area.
Andre Tran was born and raised in Santa Clara, California. He earned his under- graduate studies in biochemistry at UC Davis before completing his DDS degree at the Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry. After graduation, he spent one year working as a general dentist before returning to the Dugoni School for orthodontic residency. In his free time, he enjoys playing and coaching competitive volleyball, eating at new restaurants and watching the Warriors.
Ava Vakili grew up in Half Moon Bay, California. She studied biological anthropology at UC Berkeley (Go Bears!). It is here where she first became interested in craniofacial studies. She went on to get her masters at Rutgers University in Biomedical Sciences and worked in biotechnology before matriculating at the UCSF School of Dentistry. At UCSF, she was involved in the American Association of Women Dentists and various outreach groups. In her free time, Ava enjoys traveling, crafting, cooking and participating in group exercise classes. She’s thrilled to be staying in the Bay Area and is excited for her future as an orthodontic resident at the Dugoni School.
Yash Sharma was raised in Kalamazoo, Michigan. He completed his B.S. in Biopsychology, Cognition, and Neuroscience at the University of Michigan and his M.S. at Wayne State University. He then went on to Boston to complete his DMD at Tufts School of Dental Medicine. In his free time, he enjoys golfing, playing tennis, and exploring new restaurants around the city. As a first-time West Coaster, he is excited to be a part of the Dugoni School community for his orthodontic training and to explore the beauties of Northern California.
Jonathan Starley grew up in Sparks, Nevada. He completed his undergraduate studies with a Bachelors degree in Exercise Science at Brigham Young University in 2018 and earned his DMD from the University of Nevada Las Vegas School of Dental Medicine in 2022. He was married to his high school sweetheart in 2017 and have since welcomed two children with a third on the way. Interests and hobbies include spending time with his family, any type of game, playing any sport, especially golf and baseball, and is a huge fan of Bay area sport teams: Oakland A’s, SF 49ers, SJ Sharks and Golden State Warriors.
Class of 2025 Residents
I was born and raised in Kuwait. I pursued my dream of a dental degree overseas at the University of Manchester, UK. I’m honored to join the Dugoni School family in furthering my dental ambitions of becoming an orthodontist. In my free time, I enjoy exercising, traveling and learning through new experiences. I grew up playing table tennis and competed professionally for several years. If anyone would like to challenge me to a game of table tennis, I’m sure I’d be up to the challenge!
I was raised in Galt, CA where I graduated from Galt High School. I later earned a biology degree from UC Santa Barbara and received my DDS degree from the Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry. After graduating in 2020, I spent the next three years practicing general dentistry in Lodi, CA. I am excited to begin my orthodontic education. When not practicing dentistry, I enjoy riding my motorcycle, mountain biking, camping and spending time with my girlfriend, family and friends.
I grew up in the suburbs of Sacramento, CA. I studied molecular microbiology and immunology at the University of Nevada, Reno where I met my wonderful wife, Julie. I obtained my DDS degree at UCSF where I fell in love with all that San Francisco has to offer. After graduation, I practiced general dentistry in Las Vegas, Nevada for a year while welcoming my daughter, Elizabeth, into the family. I am ecstatic to return to San Francisco via the Dugoni School orthodontic residency to begin a career that revolves around patient interaction. While away from school, I enjoy spending time outside with my family and eating my way through the city.
I was born and raised in Michigan. I attended the seven-year dental program at the University of Detroit Mercy and graduated with my DDS in May 2023. I have had research experience in CBCT analysis of the airway and malocclusion during my time in dental school. In my free time, I enjoy horseback riding, playing piano and violin, and traveling with my family. Two dreams of mine are to live in California and study orthodontics, so I feel very blessed to be able to do both at the Dugoni School. :)
I was born and raised in San Diego, California. I graduated from UCSD in 2017 with a BS in physiology and neuroscience and a minor in business. I earned my DMD degree at Roseman University of Health Sciences in Utah, where I received multiple awards for my research work and was inducted into the Omicron Kappa Upsilon honor society. I am grateful to be back in California to continue my education at the Dugoni School for my orthodontic residency. In my free time, I enjoy baking, exploring new coffee spots, traveling and karaoking with friends.
I was born and raised in Stockton, California. I completed my undergraduate and dental studies at University of the Pacific. After graduating, I proudly served as a dentist in the U.S. Navy for three years. Outside of my professional endeavors, I enjoy drinking a perfectly brewed cup of coffee, dancing to Arabic and American music, exploring new cuisines alongside my spouse and traveling the globe.
I was born in Taipei, Taiwan and was raised in Vancouver, Canada. I attended the University of Pennsylvania as a member of the seven-year bio-dental program, where I earned both my B.A. in biology and my D.M.D. degree. I am thrilled to return to the west coast to begin my orthodontic training and to explore a new home with the Dugoni School family for the first time in seven years! In my free time, I enjoy biking, cooking, learning obscure historical facts and checking out new restaurants.
I am originally from Costa Mesa, California. I began my undergraduate studies at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah before serving as a missionary in Brazil for two years. Upon returning from Brazil, I graduated with a bachelor’s degree in exercise science. Concurrent with my acceptance into the dental program at the Dugoni School, I was selected for the Navy’s Health Professions Scholarship Program. I graduated with honors and soon after, began my military service aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune in North Carolina. My second tour brought me home to Orange County where I completed my service at Camp San Mateo aboard Camp Pendleton in Southern California. I enjoy athletics, surfing and visiting national parks with my wife Kellene and our three children.
