Alyssa Liu
University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine, Class of 2028 Alyssia Liu is a rising second-year Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) student at the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine. She earned her B.A. in Neuroscience with minors in Chemistry and Health Services Management from the University of Pennsylvania, where she was a University Scholar. Liu began her research in 2021 under Dr. Dana Graves studying how diabetes, aging, and gene deletion affect oral wound healing and periodontal disease. Supported by multiple grants, she co-authored a paper published in Current Osteoporosis Reports.
As an LDI Summer Research Fellow, Liu now expands beyond oral biology to explore how healthcare systems, policy, and access shape patient outcomes through two projects. Mentored by Dr. Danielle Cullen, Liu conducts an audit study within the MOLAR trial to evaluate how emergency departments (EDs), key entry points for underserved patients, link patients to dental care. As referrals often fail, the study surveys dental practices by age and insurance to reveal access gaps and to help create scalable, equity-driven referral systems. Liu is also working with Dr. Kate Wallis on a systematic review examining the exclusion of children with limited English proficiency and profound autism from federally funded autism trials. Her work exposes structural biases and advocates for research that reflects real-world patient diversity.
Liu currently serves as Sponsorship & Fundraising Chair of District 3 American Student Dental Association (ASDA), Director of Outreach of the Vernon Brightman Research Society, and board member of Narrative Medicine, the Philadelphia Oral Cancer Walk & 5K, and Penntorship. She is also a Residential Advisor. Outside of school, Alyssia enjoys language learning, archery, going on long walks, and visiting local cafés with friends. She’s passionate about advancing health equity through research and advocacy to reimagine care for all.