Dr. Sarah Peters, M.S., PhD (PI specializing in dental pulp biology)
Dr. Peters is an assistant professor in the Division of Biosciences at The Ohio State University College of Dentistry. She received her Bachelor of Science at the Florida Institute of Technology and her master’s and PhD from the State University of New York at Albany (SUNYA). Her postdoctoral studies were completed at the University of Alabama at Birmingham with the Cell, Developmental, and Integrative Biology Department and School of Dentistry. She has as strong value for mentoring the next generations of scientists and doing outreach beyond the bench to support the scientific community at large. As part of this, Dr. Peters rides in the flagship fundraiser of OSU, Pelotonia, which raises money for cancer research and honors our loved ones who have fought or are fighting it.
Dr. Fatma Fenesha, BDS, DClinDent, MOrth RCSEd (Investigations of dentin-pulp dynamics with age)
Fatma is a PhD student at The Ohio State University College of Dentistry. Fatma completed her dental school at Benghazi University in Libya and then earned her Doctor degree of Clinical Dentistry in Orthodontics from The University of Sheffield in England and she is also a member of the Royal College of Surgeons Edinburgh. Fatma is investigating the process of tooth aging, including investigations into age-related changes to the dentin proteome, dentin mechanical integrity, and pulp vitality. In her free time, Fatma enjoys cooking, yoga, photography and exploring new places to eat.
Gabriela Wandling, B.A. (Investigations of the peripheral nervous system in tooth development, health, and healing)
Gabi is a 2nd year student in the OSU Neuroscience Graduate Program. Gabi completed her B.A. in Economics at the University of Illinois-Chicago. After graduating, she decided to change directions towards a career in biomedical sciences. Before coming to OSU, Gabi spent several years working in a lab at UIC that studies the epigenetic mechanisms of alcohol use disorder. Gabi is investigating the role of neurotrophins and axon guidance molecules in tooth development and healing after injury. She is also interested in the role of periodontitis in neuroinflammation and aging in the central nervous system. In her free time, Gabi enjoys hanging out with her cat and two dogs, reading novels, crafting, and exploring the Columbus metro parks.
Brendon Yu, DDS (Resident in Department of Periodontology
Brendon is a 1st year Periodontics Resident and a graduate of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas School of Dental Medicine. Originally from California, Brendon attended the University of Southern California and received a BS in Real Estate Development before doing a postbaccalaureate at Mills College in Oakland. He is a proud cat dad to Ash, the gray domestic shorthair. Outside of residency, he’s either playing basketball or golf, cooking, playing video games, or relaxing on the couch with Ash.
Sean McCabe, B.S., B.A. (Husbandry and Histology Auxiliary)
Sean is a second-year dental student (D2) at The Ohio State University College of Dentistry. He earned a B.S. in Biochemistry and a B.A. in Hispanic Linguistics from The Ohio State University in 2024. During his undergraduate studies, Sean spent several years working in a biochemical nutrition lab, where he investigated the role of non-alcoholic fatty liver damage in drug clearance and pro-inflammatory pathways using animal models. Currently, he is interested in exploring the relationship between pulpal and mineralized tissues to provide competent, evidence-based clinical care to his future patients. In his free time, Sean enjoys playing volleyball and visiting U.S. National Parks.
Siya Chhibber (Specialist in micro-CT imaging of tertiary dentin)
Siya started in the Peters Lab as a senior at Dublin Jerome High School taking dual- enrollment OSU classes and is continuing now as an official OSU student. She has developed expertise in histology and micro-computed tomography to investigate reparative dentin after a dental restoration in preclinical mouse models. SIya also volunteers at hospitals and dental clinics to support her long-term goals to become a clinician. In her free time, she enjoys playing pickleball with her friends and binge-watching TV shows.
Reagan Armstrong (Specialist in Micro-CT imaging of dental tissues)
Reagan is a 4th year biology major. She has developed expertise in micro-computed tomography imaging and quantification to investigate how rodent craniofacial tissues surrounding dentin change with age. In her spare time, she enjoys hanging out with friends and volunteering.
Aashi Sharma (Dissectionairre Extraordinaire and Histologist Specialist)
Aashi is a 4th year student studying neuroscience and global public health. Her skills include staining and sectioning and utilizing micro-computed tomography to investigate periodontal tissue loss in a ligature-induced model of periodontitis. She is also our resident dissectionairre extraordinaire. Outside of the lab, she volunteers at the Franklin Park Conservatory and is very involved in College Mentors for Kids. In her free time, she enjoys hanging out with friends, going on walks, and crocheting.
William Gyimah (Dissectionairre Extraordinaire, Genotyping Specialist, Histologist Specialist)
Will is a 4th year student studying biology with a minor in business. He is skilled in dissection, genotyping, and histology. Outside of lab, he volunteers for Community Refugee and Immigration Services (CRIS) and at his church. In his free time, he enjoyd spending time with friends, exercising, listening to music, and crocheting.
Daniella Molano Arango (Histologist Specialist)
Daniella is a 3rd year student studying biology and pharmaceutical sciences and is our resident histologist specialist. She is a member of the artistic swimming team at OSU. In her free time, she enjoys baking and learning new languages.
Mankaran Grewal (Histologist Specialist)
Mankaran is a 2nd-year student studying biology on the pre-dental track and is our second histologist specialist. His time outside of lab consists of shadowing dentists and managing a student-led organization. His favorite hobbies are listening to music, going to concerts, and playing basketball
Tynan Jackson, B.A.
Tynan is a volunteer in the Peters Lab and a graduate of Harvard University with a concentration in Human Evolutionary Biology and a secondary in History. During his undergraduate studies, he examined the effects of dietary intake, intermittent fasting, and host genetics on the gut microbiota in mice. Additionally, he was a board member of the Black Men’s Forum and the Director of Programming for the Black Pre-Law Association. In the Peters Lab, Tynan is developing bench experience with the goal of entering a PhD program in Biological Sciences. In his free time, he enjoys Jeopardy, competitive Pokémon, socializing, and spending time with family.