25 April 2025 < minute read
Joy Nails, C'2027, is a biology major on the pre-dental track from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. She plans to attend dental school after graduation and pursue a career as a pediatric dentist, with a focus on addressing oral health disparities in marginalized communities. Upon matriculating at Spelman College, Nails participated in the 2023 WiSTEM Summer Program, where she completed accelerated courses, engaged in academic and professional development, and conducted research in cell biology.
Additionally, in the summer of 2024, Nails participated in the Summer Health Professions Education Program at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. During this program, she engaged in medical simulations, mock dental exams and shadowed residents in the pediatric dental clinic at Children’s of Alabama Hospital. This program furthered her pursuit of a career in dentistry. Nails always puts academics first, as she has been a Dean’s List scholar since she started at Spelman. She also serves as the Spelman Pre-Dental Society's treasurer and community service chair for Operation Smile Club.
Nails is a 2024-2025 STEM Equity Research scholar, where she engages in a data dashboard project for the Environmental and Health Sciences department. Nails’ pursuit of dentistry is rooted by her own experiences with oral health in her family and community. Inspired by her mother, an educator in her hometown, Nails plans to educate her community and be a personable and caring dentist for youth.