Kaylin Wooley
2025 Ignatian Hoya Recipient
The program allows me to better understand disease, research, and patient care at a broader level, which I believe will make me a more well-rounded future dentist.
About Kaylin
Kaylin is from Los Angeles, California. Before coming to Georgetown Biomedical Graduate Education, she earned a Bachelor of Science at Howard University.
What community service activity has meant the most to you?
The community service activity that has meant the most to me is volunteering in pre-dental and health-focused community settings. Supporting oral health education affirms the importance of accessible, compassionate, and representative healthcare.
Why did you choose your program at Georgetown BGE for your graduate studies?
I chose the Georgetown BGE program to further strengthen my scientific foundation beyond my career path in dentistry. I wanted to gain deeper exposure to the biomedical and systems based side of science that supports dentistry and healthcare as a whole. The program allows me to better understand disease, research, and patient care at a broader level, which I believe will make me a more well-rounded future dentist.
What is your academic focus? What sparked your interest in it?
My academic focus is dentistry. My interest developed through pre-dental summer programs and research, alongside service experiences that allowed me to see how oral health education and preventative care directly affect individuals and communities. Observing how knowledge, resources, and representation influence patient trust and outcomes made dentistry feel both impactful and personal to me. These experiences shaped my desire to pursue a career that combines science, service, and patient care.
What motivates you?
I am motivated by my relationship with God, which gives me a strong sense of purpose and direction in how I approach education and service. I am also driven by the importance of representation in dentistry, where Black professionals remain underrepresented. This perspective shapes how I approach my education and future work.