Dr. SOPHIA CHADDA SPEAKS AT RIDGE HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS' STEMxx FORUM

BERNARDS TOWNSHIP, NJ, June 10, 2019 – Dr. Sophia Chadda, owner of a periodontal practice in Basking Ridge, was a featured speaker at Ridge High School’s STEMxx Club on Friday, June 7, 2019. STEMxx creates a supportive environment for girls interested in STEM careers to explore and research STEM-related topics. At the forum STEMxx members presented their findings on a wide-variety of self-selected subjects such as why female athletes are more likely than their male counterparts to suffer ACL tears, the future of 3D printed organs using human STEM cells, the possibility of robotic spinal cord replacement, how sugar affects the adolescent brain, and how underwater speakers are configured so that listening is seamless when swimming above and below water.

Dr. Chadda spoke to STEMxx members, parents, and community members at the Ridge Performing Arts Center Lecture Hall. She shared her educational experience from Barnard College, Columbia University as an Anthropology major to dental school at SUNY Buffalo followed by a residency in periodontics at Rutgers Dental School (formerly UMDNJ). She shared her interest and passion for learning about other cultures and societies while meeting pre-dental requirements in her undergraduate studies, and the importance of a well-rounded education that allowed her to explore all of her interests. Dr. Chadda impressed upon the students the importance of hard work, grit, and determination as well as the reality of sacrifice and delayed gratification as their path to practicing in a STEM career may be a long and arduous journey. Dr. Chadda also advised the students to seek out mentors at college or university, as those professors, similar to their teachers at Ridge, may offer guidance, support, and opportunities for growth. For those interested in the dental field, Dr. Chadda described her daily life as a practicing periodontist. She shared some of the technical aspects of treatment as well as the business aspect of owning and operating a dental practice.

Dr. Chadda was eager to share her experiences with the audience. “I am thrilled to see so many young women in Bernards Township with such avid interests in science, math, engineering, and technology, and was honored to be given the opportunity to share my passion for the same,” said Dr. Chadda. “I was impressed with the research the young women presented on some of the latest technologies in science, as well as the relevance of their research as their chosen topics related to their own experiences and interests. I admire their curiosity and the way they question their world and examine why and how things work. With young women like these, I have no doubt of the bright future in store for them. I can’t wait to see what the future holds for them and for us all!” continued an enthusiastic Dr. Chadda.

About Dr. Sophia Chadda
Dr. Chadda has been a practicing periodontist in Basking Ridge for the past 15 years, and is board certified by the American Board of Periodontology. Dr. Chadda is a former assistant professor of periodontics at Rutgers Dental School, and has held leadership positions in professional organizations and societies. She is the past president of the Tri-County Dental Society of NJ and the past treasurer of the New Jersey Society of Periodontists. She was awarded “Top Dentist” by New Jersey monthly magazine in 2014 and 2015. Chadda is a member of the American Dental Association, New Jersey Dental Association, the American Academy of Periodontology, the Tri-County Dental Society, and the New Jersey Society of Periodontists. Dr. Chadda was a member of the Bernards Township Board of Health, and is an active volunteer in local public and private schools. Dr. Chadda is currently running as the Democratic candidate for Bernards Township Committee where she will use her experience as a township business owner, long-time resident, and mother to bring smart, sensible solutions for driving positive change for our town. To learn more about Dr. Chadda’s campaign, please visit Chadda2019.com or follow her at Facebook.com/Chadda2019.

Paid for by Sophia Chadda for Bernards Township Committee, PO Box 5352, Basking Ridge, NJ 07920.