Page 13 - Academy of Osseointegration (AO) Academy News Vol 36, No 1 2025

The power of mentorship and opportunities:
My journey with the Academy of Osseointegration
By: Rafael Siqueira, DDS, MS, PhD; Academy News Guest Contributor
Eight years ago, I became a member of the Academy of Osseointegration, and that decision has been transformative for my personal and professional growth.
I have tremendously improved as a clinician, researcher, and faculty through meaningful interactions with fellow members, serving on committees, and gaining knowledge from every meeting and event. Most importantly, the mentorship I've received from experienced Academy members has been invaluable. Their encouragement and guidance have opened doors to incredible opportunities, and they've inspired me to give back by mentoring others and helping them find similar opportunities for growth.
A defining moment in my journey was participating in
the Emerging Leaders Session. At the 2023 meeting
in Phoenix, I was deeply impressed by the exceptional presentations of young professionals in this new session. Sitting beside Lyndon F. Cooper, DDS, PhD during that event, our dean at VCU School of Dentistry and a leader in the field, I shared how inspired I was. Dr. Cooper then encouraged me to apply for the following year's session, provided excellent insights, and mentioned how this opportunity could help me grow. I left that meeting energized by the presenters' enthusiasm and motivated to work toward earning a spot on that stage.
was an incredible milestone, but the professional growth, exposure, and confidence I gained were more meaningful than the recognition. The experience reinforced the importance of mentorship and the lasting impact of being part of such a supportive community.
As I prepare to co-moderate this year's Emerging Leaders Session alongside Dr. Shi Yin, DDS, MS in Seattle, I want to invite every young professional to explore this fantastic opportunity. The Academy offers unmatched inspiration, mentorship, and professional growth. Join us at the next meeting and take the first step toward unlocking your potential.
I look forward to seeing many of you in the audience and on the stage and to seeing you take your careers to new heights.
Dr. Siqueira was recently interviewed by Guo-Hao (Alex) Lin, MS, DDS, to discuss his experiences as a winner of this unique AO contest. Check out the full interview on
AO’s YouTube page.
This year’s competition will take place March 28 at AO’s 2025 Annual Meeting in Seattle. Please see corresponding article on page 12 for all the exciting details.
Dr. Siqueira
In 2024, I was honored to present at the Emerging Leaders Session
in Charlotte, NC. It was a truly transformative experience
through this opportunity
to share my work with an engaged audience, receive invaluable feedback, and
push myself beyond my comfort zone. Winning one
of the two awards that year
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