Driven by a Fervor for Learning and Academia, a Dentist from Kuwait Attends Eastman Institute for Training and Achieves a PhD
Dental Researcher Dr. Naemah Alkhars Shines at Eastman Institute for Oral Health
The Eastman Institute for Oral Health (EIOH) at the University of Rochester is renowned for its comprehensive and advanced dental education, and Dr. Naemah Alkhars is a shining example of its success.
In 2015, Dr. Alkhars, a mother of four children under the age of 10, embarked on a journey through EIOH's unique four-year faculty development program. This rigorous training pathway equips dental professionals for academic careers, emphasizing clinical excellence, research, and public health impact.
The program, which integrates clinical training with faculty development and research opportunities, is supported by federal grants aimed at expanding dental workforce capacity in underserved areas.
Dr. Alkhars' research during her time at EIOH focused on a three-dimensional approach to the maternal influence on children's oral health. This included the mother's oral health, children's feeding behaviors, and bacteria transmission. Her efforts culminated in the successful defense of her thesis this month, securing a PhD in Translational Biomedical Science from the University of Rochester's Clinical and Translational Science Institute. Dr. Alkhars is the first foreign-trained EIOH resident to earn her PhD at the University of Rochester.
Dr. Alkhars' mentor, Dr. Jin Xiao, DDS, PhD, EIOH associate professor, couldn't be prouder of her achievements. Dr. Xiao's guidance, along with the support of her husband and parents, has been instrumental in Dr. Alkhars' success.
Dr. Eliav, DMD, PhD, the EIOH Director, stated that the faculty's commitment to excellence and profound expertise ensures a well-rounded learning experience and enhances confidence. Dr. Alkhars' future contributions to the field will focus on diversification and addressing evolving challenges.
In addition to her academic achievements, Dr. Alkhars has published eight research papers, an outstanding testament to her scholarly excellence. She is currently serving as assistant professor at Kuwait University, where she mentors dental students, engages in clinical practice, and conducts research initiatives.
Dr. Alkhars also emphasizes the importance of effective time management and a strong support system for balancing motherhood, education, and a career. Her journey serves as an inspiration to many, demonstrating the result of EIOH's comprehensive preparation for a successful career in academia.
- Dr. Alkhars' research at the Eastman Institute for Oral Health (EIOH) was focused on the three-dimensional approach to the maternal influence on children's oral health, encompassing the mother's oral health, children's feeding behaviors, and bacteria transmission.
- The Eastman Institute's unique four-year faculty development program equips dental professionals for academic careers by emphasizing clinical excellence, research, and public health impact, which is supported by federal grants aimed at expanding dental workforce capacity in underserved areas.
- Dr. Alkhars has demonstrated her expertise in various fields, not only dental but also in science and education, as evidenced by her eight published research papers and her current position as an assistant professor at Kuwait University, where she mentors dental students, engages in clinical practice, and conducts research initiatives.
- Dr. Alkhars' success is a testament to the value of skill-training, personal-growth, learning, career-development, health-and-wellness, fitness-and-exercise, education-and-self-development, and science in balancing motherhood, education, and a career, serving as an inspiration to many.
