Class of 2025 Residents
I was born and raised in Kuwait. I pursued my dream of a dental degree overseas at the University of Manchester, UK. I’m honored to join the Dugoni School family in furthering my dental ambitions of becoming an orthodontist. In my free time, I enjoy exercising, traveling and learning through new experiences. I grew up playing table tennis and competed professionally for several years. If anyone would like to challenge me to a game of table tennis, I’m sure I’d be up to the challenge!
I was raised in Galt, CA where I graduated from Galt High School. I later earned a biology degree from UC Santa Barbara and received my DDS degree from the Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry. After graduating in 2020, I spent the next three years practicing general dentistry in Lodi, CA. I am excited to begin my orthodontic education. When not practicing dentistry, I enjoy riding my motorcycle, mountain biking, camping and spending time with my girlfriend, family and friends.
I grew up in the suburbs of Sacramento, CA. I studied molecular microbiology and immunology at the University of Nevada, Reno where I met my wonderful wife, Julie. I obtained my DDS degree at UCSF where I fell in love with all that San Francisco has to offer. After graduation, I practiced general dentistry in Las Vegas, Nevada for a year while welcoming my daughter, Elizabeth, into the family. I am ecstatic to return to San Francisco via the Dugoni School orthodontic residency to begin a career that revolves around patient interaction. While away from school, I enjoy spending time outside with my family and eating my way through the city.
I was born and raised in Michigan. I attended the seven-year dental program at the University of Detroit Mercy and graduated with my DDS in May 2023. I have had research experience in CBCT analysis of the airway and malocclusion during my time in dental school. In my free time, I enjoy horseback riding, playing piano and violin, and traveling with my family. Two dreams of mine are to live in California and study orthodontics, so I feel very blessed to be able to do both at the Dugoni School. :)
I was born and raised in San Diego, California. I graduated from UCSD in 2017 with a BS in physiology and neuroscience and a minor in business. I earned my DMD degree at Roseman University of Health Sciences in Utah, where I received multiple awards for my research work and was inducted into the Omicron Kappa Upsilon honor society. I am grateful to be back in California to continue my education at the Dugoni School for my orthodontic residency. In my free time, I enjoy baking, exploring new coffee spots, traveling and karaoking with friends.
I was born and raised in Stockton, California. I completed my undergraduate and dental studies at University of the Pacific. After graduating, I proudly served as a dentist in the U.S. Navy for three years. Outside of my professional endeavors, I enjoy drinking a perfectly brewed cup of coffee, dancing to Arabic and American music, exploring new cuisines alongside my spouse and traveling the globe.
I was born in Taipei, Taiwan and was raised in Vancouver, Canada. I attended the University of Pennsylvania as a member of the seven-year bio-dental program, where I earned both my B.A. in biology and my D.M.D. degree. I am thrilled to return to the west coast to begin my orthodontic training and to explore a new home with the Dugoni School family for the first time in seven years! In my free time, I enjoy biking, cooking, learning obscure historical facts and checking out new restaurants.
I am originally from Costa Mesa, California. I began my undergraduate studies at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah before serving as a missionary in Brazil for two years. Upon returning from Brazil, I graduated with a bachelor’s degree in exercise science. Concurrent with my acceptance into the dental program at the Dugoni School, I was selected for the Navy’s Health Professions Scholarship Program. I graduated with honors and soon after, began my military service aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune in North Carolina. My second tour brought me home to Orange County where I completed my service at Camp San Mateo aboard Camp Pendleton in Southern California. I enjoy athletics, surfing and visiting national parks with my wife Kellene and our three children.
Class of 2026 Residents
Dr. Tina Dillas
Tina Dillas grew up in Minot, North Dakota. She studied human biology at Rhodes College. She earned her DDS at University of California San Francisco in 2024. In her free time she enjoys hiking, playing tennis, and spending time with her friends and family.
Dr. Sophia DiPietro
Sophia DiPietro grew up in Carlsbad, California and graduated from San Diego State University with a degree in Foods and Nutrition. She earned her DDS degree at the Dugoni School of Dentistry, where she learned to love the city of San Francisco. Despite being a first-generation dentist, Sophia has wanted to be an orthodontist since she was a little girl, and is extremely excited to be following her dreams at the Dugoni School! In her free time, Sophia enjoys morning coffee walks, yoga, hiking, cooking, and spending time with her fiancé, Brendan.
Dr. I-Hsien Kody Kuo
Kody Kuo was born and raised in Taiwan. At 15, he moved to the United States, where he later completed his undergraduate studies in Mechanical Engineering at UCLA. In 2024, Kody earned his DDS degree from the UCLA School of Dentistry. In his free time, he enjoys hiking, visiting national parks, golfing, and playing soccer.
Dr. Cerjay Lugtu
Cerjay Lugtu was born and raised in La Mirada, California. His journey in education took him to UCLA, where he majored in biology, and then to the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine, from which he graduated in 2024. During his free time, you'll likely find him at the gym or getting lost in a captivating fantasy book. He is also a passionate foodie with a mission to explore and document the best food spots in San Francisco using his Beli account.
Dr. Mingi Park
Mingi Park was born and raised in Seoul, South Korea. She spent her younger years in New Zealand and Canada before relocating to the United States. She attended Johns Hopkins University and earned a Bachelors degree in Cognitive Science. Mingi completed her DDS training at Stony Brook School of Dental Medicine in New York, where she served as a class president. Outside of clinic, Mingi enjoys traveling, snowboarding, and going to concerts & art exhibitions.
Dr. Ida Shaffer
Ida is a Northern Californian native, born and raised in Salinas before studying at UC Davis and ultimately earning her DDS/PhD at UCSF. She lives in the Bay Area with her husband, where they enjoy an active lifestyle of outdoor adventures, skiing in Tahoe, hiking, and enjoying Korean BBQ dinners with friends.
Dr. Tyler Starley
Tyler Starley grew up in Sparks, Nevada. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Exercise Science from Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah, in 2020. After completing his undergraduate degree, Tyler joined the faculty at BYU as a professor of Human Anatomy and Physiology. It was in that role that he discovered his passion for education and teaching. It was also at BYU where he met Allie Jo, who would become the love of his life and whom he married in 2020.
Tyler earned his Doctor of Dental Science degree from the Dugoni School of Dentistry in 2024. He and Allie Jo love living in San Francisco, where they spend their free time exploring the great outdoors with their Australian Shepherd, Poppy. They enjoy beach outings, hikes, rock climbing, pickleball, and attending baseball games. Tyler has also become a big foodie thanks to the amazing cuisine San Francisco has to offer.
Dr. Harrison Truman
Harrison Truman grew up in Henderson, Nevada. He completed his B.S. degree in Biostatistics at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah where he met and married his now wife, Ruth in 2019. After finishing his bachelor's degree, Harrison earned his DDS degree at the University of the Pacific, Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry in 2024. Outside of school, he enjoys spending time with his wife as well as playing the piano, hiking, camping, and playing basketball and volleyball.
