Advanced Education Residents
2012-2014
First Year Residents
Obadah Austah, B.D.S.
Dr. Obadah Austah was born and raised in Yanbu, Saudi Arabia. He received his Bachelor in Dental Medicine & Surgery (B.D.S) Degree, with honors, in 2009 from The College of Dentistry, King Abdul Aziz University (KAU), Jeddah, KSA. Dr. Austah completed a one year internship in general dentistry at different hospitals and medical centers and was involved in several research projects. He joined the dental department at King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Center (KFSH&RC) as a staff dentist. He enjoys fishing, soccer, boating, diving, and camping.
Vanessa Chrepa, B.D.S.
Dr. Varvara (Vanessa) Chrepa was born and raised in Athens, Greece. She graduated from the Dental School of the University of Athens (UOA) in 2009. After graduation, Vanessa joined a private practice in Athens. Since 2010, she shared her time between the Endodontics department of the Athens Naval Hospital and private practice. Alongside her clinical activities, she has been actively involved in clinical research and has contributed in 3 publications and many oral presentations both in Greece and internationally. She enjoys travelling, baking and playing with her dog Cielo.
Jon Fu, D.D.S.
Dr. Jon Fu was born in Los Angeles and was raised in Irvine, California. He graduated from the University of California at Irvine with a B.S. in Biological Sciences in 2005. He received his D.D.S. degree at the Ostrow School of Dentistry of the University of Southern California (USC) in 2010. At USC, Jon had the privilege of serving in four dental mission trips to Central America with Christian Medical and Dental Associations where he also received the Sepideh Namazikah Humanitarian Award. He continued his dental training by completing a one-year AEGD residency through Lutheran Medical Center at the Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center in Oahu, Hawaii. While there, he practiced general dentistry and served as adjunct faculty for the AEGD program. He is happily married to Dr. Valerie Suey, who is a practicing optometrist in San Antonio. Together, they enjoy playing tennis, hiking and spending time with family and friends.
AF Students
Jonsung Kim, D.D.S.
Dr. Jongsung Kim graduated from Loma Linda University School of Dentistry being on the Dean’s List numerous times. He entered the Air Force through the Health Professions Scholarship Program in 2002 and now serves at the rank of Major. Upon graduating from dental school in 2005, he was selected for one year residency in Advance Education in General Dentistry I program at Sheppard AFB. On completion of residency training, he was assigned to Osan AB as a general dentist. During his assignment at Osan, he finished a one year Advanced Clinical Dentistry Preceptorship. He was selected for an Air Force sponsored residency in Endodontics for 2012 at the University of Texas Health Science Center and Wilford Hall Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas.
Brent Winward, D.D.S.
Dr. Brent Winward was born and raised in West Jordan, Utah. He spent two years in Melbourne, Australia serving as a Spanish speaking LDS missionary. After returning to the States he was hired by the Utah Highway Patrol and worked as a State Trooper for three and a half years. During that time he earned a B.S. degree in Criminal Justice at Weber State University in Ogden, Utah. A career change led him to the University of the Pacific Dental School where he earned a D.D.S. degree in 2007. After dental school, Brent completed a one year AEGD residency at Travis AFB in California. Following the residency he was stationed at Lajes Field in the Azores for two years. He was next assigned to Lackland AFB where he worked as a general dentist before starting the Endodontic residency. Brent and his wife Tara have three children (Amanda-12, Daisy-6 and Trenton-5). Besides spending time with his family, he enjoys working on cars, home remodeling and reading about crime.
2011-2013
Second YearResidents
Riyadh Althumairy, B.D.S
Dr. Riyadh Althumairy was born in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. He received his Bachelor of Dental surgery from King Saud University, College of Dentistry. He then finished a one year Internship training program in General Dentistry at the same institution. He practiced General Dentistry for three months in National Guard Hospital. After that, he joined the faculty of collage of Dentistry, King Saud University as a teaching assistant. Riyadh enjoys soccer and swimming.
Julie Berkhoff, D.D.S.
Dr. Julie Berkhoff was born and raised in Colorado Springs, Colorado. She has worked in general dentistry and endodontics since 1995. Her undergraduate studies were done at The University of Colorado, Colorado Springs majoring in Biology. She was granted early admission to The University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine where she was actively involved in research as well as student teaching in endodontics. Her professional affiliations include ADA, AAE, AGD, Colorado Dental Association, and Alpha Omega dental fraternity. Julie was recently elected into Omicron Kappa Upsilon National Dental Honor Society and received her DDS degree, with honors, on May 27th, 2011. In her spare time, she loves spending time with her husband, their four children, and her three dogs. She also enjoys exercising, running, hiking, biking, and anything outdoors. Although she will miss the Colorado Mountains, she is looking forward to enjoying the heat in San Antonio!
Nikita Ruparel, D.D.S., PhD
Dr. Nikita Ruparel was born in Mumbai, India where she received a Bachelors degree in Microbiology and a Masters degree in Life Sciences with specialization in Neurobiology. She then moved to the United States in 2003 and was accepted to the PhD program in the Cellular and Structural Biology Department at UTHSCSA. Dr. Ruparel decided to pursue a dual degree in DDS/PhD and joined the School of Dentistry in 2007. She has completed both degree programs, earning the DDS and the PhD degree in 2011. Apart from school, she enjoys music, traveling, hiking and spending time with family and friends.
Intern
2012-2013
Dina Alsharif, BDS
Dr. Dina Alsharif was born and raised in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. She received her Bachelor in Dental Medicine & Surgery (B.D.S) in 2010 from Riyadh College of Dentistry and Pharmacy in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. She then completed a one-year internship training program in General Dentistry at the same institution and earned a certificate of award for achieving the highest clinical productivity. Dr. Alsharif is interested in research and aspires to win an award for outstanding research. In her free time, she enjoys painting, playing sports and hanging out with friends.