NSU CDM Lasting Impressions Spring 2019

NOVA SOUTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY | 37 “It’s like teaching,” she said. “It keeps your mind moving and keeps you active in the profession. Our professors would tell us, ‘You’re not just drilling holes and filling them. You need to understand the science behind what you’re doing.’” Ambrose’s passion and talent for understanding and explaining the mechanics of her profession are already getting her noticed. In March 2018, she presented a poster on the effects of using an adenosine receptor agonist (a molecule that activates the adenosine receptor) in preventing an inflammatory cascade that results in bone loss observed in mouse models with RANKL-mediated periodontal bone resorption. The presentation, which earned her first-place honors at the American Association for Dental Research Florida Sections Symposium and Student Poster Session, was based on the research of her mentor, Toshihisa Kawai, Ph.D., D.D.S., professor of periodontology at the CDM and a senior investi- gator in the NSU Center for Collaborative Research. “Gabriella is a hardworking student who makes smart decisions, while accepting criticism to im- prove,” Kawai said. “She is a great role model for dental students and clinical residents.” Ambrose lauds NSU’s CDM for attracting and choosing a diverse mix of diligent students and residents, and for cultivating a collaborative environ- ment that inspires them to learn from one another. “I think the CDM has done a very good job of putting the right group of people together,” she said. “While you do rely a lot on your professors, you rely on your classmates and upperclassmen, too. You can’t do it all by yourself.” Ambrose knows this innately. Before she even left her home country, she learned important life lessons about hard work, sacrifice, and determination from the women—and men—who came before her. Now it’s her turn to forge a path, and her CDM team leader said she’s already making her mark as a wonderful dentist. “Gabriella’s very responsible and is someone who goes out of her way to make sure her patients receive the best care possible in a timely manner,” said Elaine D. Lara, D.D.S., a CDM assistant professor. “She really cares about her patients.” u FAST FACTS GABRIELLA AMBROSE, D.M.D., M.B.S. Hometown Edinboro, St. Vincent and the Grenadines Education B.A. in Psychology, University of Miami (2011) M.B.S., University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, now the Rutgers School of Biomedical and Health Sciences (2013) D.M.D., Nova Southeastern University (2017) Professional Student Society of Periodontology • member (2014–2017) • treasurer (2015) • vice president (2016) • president (2017) American Academy of Periodontology • member (2018–present) Academy of Osseointegration • member (2019) Personal youngest of five, former high school squash player, and runner Volunteerism CDM’s Give Kids A Smile, medical outreach trip to Jamaica