Meet Inspira Advantage’s Dental School Admissions Experts

Dr. Laurente's journey to becoming a dentist began in her hometown of Portland, Oregon. She graduated from the University of Portland with a BS in biology, along with minors in neuroscience and chemistry. She discovered her passion for mentoring and teaching while working as a student tutor for biology and chemistry courses and as a teaching assistant in the microbiology labs. These experiences laid the foundation for her future role as a guide and mentor to aspiring dental students.

To gain hands-on experience in the dental field and confirm her career choice, Dr. Laurente worked as a receptionist in the front office and as a sterilization technician in the back office, gaining valuable information about the day-to-day operations of a dental practice. During this time, she also focused on crafting her dental school application. Dr. Laurente's dedication and thorough preparation paid off as she traveled across the country for numerous dental school interviews. Ultimately, she chose to attend Oregon Health & Sciences University, staying close to her roots in her home state. 

As a coach, Dr. Laurente excels at putting together a detailed timeline, helping students compose winning personal statements, and preparing applicants for interviews. Her greatest strengths are her communication skills and organizational abilities. She ensures that students feel fully supported, maintaining open and responsive communication tailored to their preferences. With a passion for spreadsheets, scheduling, and color-coded organization, she helps students stay on track. Above all, Dr. Laurente loves getting to know each applicant and helping them weave their unique story into a standout application.

Dr. Lee earned his dual BA degrees in social welfare and East Asian languages & cultures—Japanese at the University of California, Berkeley, and his DMD degree, Cum Laude, at the Boston University Goldman School of Dental Medicine.

Dr. Lee's commitment to whole-person care for underserved populations stems from his interdisciplinary studies, social work, and humanistic approach to dental medicine. His diverse clinical experience spans various organizations, including a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC), a large Dental Support Organization (DSO), a pediatric dental clinic, and private dental offices. Driven by a pragmatic idealism, Dr. Lee is passionate about integrating the latest dental techniques and technologies into his practice and constantly seeks innovative ways to further develop his skill set.

In addition to his professional endeavors, Dr. Lee is a passionate artist and volunteer. He expresses his creative talents through his lifelong hobbies—Piano, Pottery, and Photography. He also gives back to his community by volunteering as a UCEAP Alumni Scholarship reviewer and participating in weekly bible study/fellowship meetings. In the future, he aims to deepen his knowledge of public health through further education and training.

Building on her understanding of admissions policies and strategies, Ellen served as Assistant Dean of Students at Columbia University's Postbaccalaureate Premedical/Prehealth Program for eight years, where she advised hundreds of non-traditional students seeking admissions to health professions programs. In addition to her advising duties, she organized the annual medical school fair, building strong relationships with professional school admissions deans across the country.

For 11 years, Ellen was Assistant Dean for Prehealth Advising at Fordham University. Working closely with students and alumni, she built the prehealth program to be one of the strongest in the tri-state area. Throughout all her roles, she has been committed to helping aspiring dentists achieve their goals.

As a member of NAAPH and NEAAHP, Ellen has been both a participant and moderator on many advising panels, and delivered presentations on topics such as Various Pathways to Professional School Admissions; When to Apply? Traditional vs. Non-traditional Applicants; and Rejected from Medical School: Options and Strategies. She is also the co-author of a book chapter on The Imposter Syndrome.

Ellen’s strength as a counselor is backed by her years of experience as an admissions committee member. She has screened and evaluated thousands of applications for interviews and met with hundreds of candidates both in person and across the US during recruiting trips. Ellen enjoys guiding students through the ever-changing landscape of health profession admissions.