Neeve Chen studied engineering at Rice University in Houston before coming to Columbia University for a dual-degree program at the College of Dental Medicine and Teachers College. This coming spring, she'll graduate with a Doctor of Dental Medicine and an MA in Science and Dental Education. Despite having a full plate, Chen's main advice to other students is to relax as much as possible and enjoy their time here. Columbia News caught up with Chen to discuss her academic pursuits and her future plans.
How and when did you decide to go to dental school?
I decided on dental school at the end of my sophomore year of college. As much as I loved my engineering degree, I knew I wanted to do something that was more people-facing, that still allowed me to work with my hands a lot.
What made you choose Columbia?
The people! I enjoyed my interview here, and I could really tell how close the students were to each other through the student presentation.
Jarvie is the dental school’s official research society. The purpose of the club is to introduce incoming dental students to research at the school, and help support them as they get involved with different research opportunities. We also help host the annual school-wide Birnberg Award and Research Symposium.
I joined the club during my first year, and really enjoyed the student support network from the club’s student-run executive board. I joined the board my second year as an assistant editor for the club’s publications before transitioning into being the president this past year.
You worked in the Regenerative Engineering Lab: What were you working on while there?
My main project was evaluating the use of nano-indentation as a way to aid in the early diagnosis and prognosis of oral cancers. Nano-indentation is a fancy tool that measures the stiffness of tissues, and we were looking to see if it could be used as an adjunctive method to help with early treatment.
What do you hope to do once you graduate?
I am hoping to go into private practice but also teach part-time. I am currently in the College of Dental Medicine’s dual-degree program with Columbia’s Teachers College and would love to eventually teach full-time in a program like the one I’m a student in now.
Do you have any tips for new Columbia students, at the dental school or elsewhere?
Enjoy the journey! It is easier said than done, of course, but try and enjoy as much as you can. Now that I am in my last year, I realize that no exam or paper was as “life-ending” as I thought it would be, and it definitely was not worth stressing out over. I firmly believe everything works out how it should, so do your best and have fun, we’re in New York City after all.
Do you have any favorite places to grab a bite to eat near the dental school, or elsewhere in Manhattan?
Up here, I really like Ramen Ku-Raku when I am looking to get something pretty quick and comforting, but my favorite restaurant of all time in NYC is Konban!
