Reza Riahi, DDS, MMSc

Dr. Reza Riahi grew up in the Bay Area and has been practicing dentistry since 2004. He received baccalaureate degrees in Biochemistry and Systems Physiology from San Jose State University with high honors. After working as a Research Chemist for several years he embarked on a career in Dental Medicine. Dr. Riahi graduated from the University of the Pacific Dental School with highest honors, earning numerous distinctions in academic, research, and clinical fields. Having focused his interest in Endodontics, he continued his training and completed a three year fellowship in advanced Endodontic education at Harvard University School of Dental Medicine earning a certificate in Endodontics and a Masters in Medical Sciences in the field of Oral Biology.

Dr. Riahi conducted three years of research at the distinguished Forsyth Institute in Boston known for its research in oral and craniofacial sciences. He was associate clinical instructor at the Postdoctoral Endodontic division of Harvard School of Dental Medicine and has taught Advanced Head and Neck Anatomy at Harvard School of Dental Medicine.

Dr. Riahi is an active member of the American Association of Endodontists, American Dental Association, California Dental Association, and he is presently serving as the President of the Mid-Peninsula Dental Society.

He cherishes spending time with his wife Dr. Minaj Naimi, daughters Nava and Nadia, and son Navid. He enjoys mountain biking, hiking, camping, traveling, photography, and soccer.

Education

2004 – 2007 — Harvard University School of Dental Medicine
Boston, Massachusetts
Masters in Medical Sciences and Certificate in Endodontics

2001 – 2004 — University of the Pacific School of Dentistry
San Francisco, California
Doctor of Dental Surgery
Graduated, High Honors (Ranked 2nd in a class of 138 students)

1992 – 1996 — San Jose State University
San Jose, California
Systems Physiology, Baccalaureate of Science
Biochemistry, Baccalaureate of Art
Graduated, cum laude

Experience

Honors

• January, 16–  President of the Mid-Peninsula Dental Society
• June, 04 — University of the Pacific Dean’s Salutorian Award — the second highest overall scholarship in the entire program.
• June, 04 — University of the Pacific Clinical Excellence Award — the highest clinical scholarship throughout the entire program.
• June, 04 — California Dental Association Award — In recognition of outstanding academic achievements and contributions.
• June, 04 — OMICRON KAPPA UPSILON (OKU) — Elected to membership
• April, 04 — PHI KAPPA PH I— Elected to membership
• April, 04 — Delta Dental Student Leadership Award — In recognition of outstanding leadership, service, and scholarship
• May, 03 — Dentsply Student Research Competition — Third place
• March, 98 — 15th VLSI Multilevel Interconnection Conference — Poster presentation
• August, 97 — Northern California American Society of Microbiology Conference — Poster presentation

Publications

• Photoinactivation of Enterococcus faecalis Biofilms in Human Dental Root Canal System, Thesis dissertation catalogued at Harvard Countway Library of Medicine.
• Photodynamic Inactivation of Enterococcus faecalis in Dental Root Canals In Vitro, Lasers in Surgery and Medicine 39:782–787 (2007)

Contributed to the following publications:

• Gossett, J.D., V. Strength, and D.C. Holley. Development and test of chewbars for use with paste diets. ASGSB Bulletin 9(1):20, 1995.
• Strength, V.E., * J. Gossett, and D.C. Holley. Evaluation of the KSC-25 rodent diet for long-term studies. ASGSB Bulletin 9(1):72, 1995.
• Naidu, S., C.M. Winget, J.W. Jenner, * G. Mele, and D.C. Holley. Effects of housing density on mouse physiology and behavior in NASA Animal Enclosure Module Simulators. J. Grav. Physiol. 2(1):P-140, 1995.

Research

• 2004-2007 — Photoinactivation of Enterococcus faecalis biofilm in dental root canal system.
• 2002-2004 — Gene Delivery to Oral Cancer Cells by Lipid-DNA Complexes Containing Transferrin.  Investigated the feasibility of DNA complexed with cationic lipid reagent to transfect human squamous cell carcinoma cells as a new drug delivery approach to treatment of Oral Cancer.
• 1999-2001 — Research Associate at Inhale Therapeutic Systems, San Carlos, California.  Involved with hypothesizing and evaluating various formulations in engineering inhalable drug delivery of various family of pharmaceuticals.
• 1997-1999 — R&D Chemist at AlliedSignal Inc. (Advanced Microelectronic Materials), Sunnyvale, California.  Involved with formulating, evaluating, qualifying and characterizing low k dielectric polymers used in the IC development.
• 1996-1997 — Lyme Arthritis Study, San Jose State University, San Jose, California.  Investigated the exacerbating effects and role of T-Lymphocytes in chronic lyme arthritis on a rodent model.
• 1993-1995 — Rodent Paste Diet Study, San Jose State University, San Jose, California.  Funded and commissioned by NASA, this study evaluated the feasibility of using a much easier handled and dispensed paste diet in rodent space enclosure modules for long term space station studies on possible effects of zero gravity on physiological systems.
• 1993-1995 — Rodent Density Study and Acoustic Tolerance Study, San Jose State University, San Jose, California.  Funded by NASA, this study helped NASA engineers design a rodent space enclosure module capable of housing study animals in the space station without environmental stressors that could alter experimental conditions.

Teaching

• Advanced head and neck anatomy instructor, Harvard School of Dental Medicine
• Clinical instructor at the Department of Restorative Dentistry and Biomaterial Sciences / Postdoctoral Endodontic division of Harvard School of Dental Medicine.
• Clinical Instructor of Endodontics, Harvard School of Dental Medicine predoctoral clinic.

Associations

• 2008-present — Mid-Peninsula Dental Society.  Board Member- 2016 President
• 2001-present — American Dental Association.  Active member
• 2004-present — American Association of Endodontists.  Active member
• 2004-present — California Dental Association.  Active member
• 2005-present — Massachusetts Dental Society.  Active member
• 2001-2004 — California Dental Association (CDA).  UOP Delegate to the House of Delegates
• 2003-2004 — CDA Task Force on Clinical Licensure Evaluation.  Selected by CDA to evaluate the current and possibly alternative methods of clinical examination in California
• 2001-2004 — American Student Dental Association.  Vice-President of Organized Dentistry, UOP chapter
• 2002-2004
  UOP Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Club.  President
• 2002-2004 — UOP Endodontics Study Club.  Vice-President
• 2002-2004 — UOP Student Research Group.  Vice-President
• 2001-2004 — Student Community Outreach for Public Education (SCOPE).  Co-organizer and participant in outreach events aimed at educating and providing oral care for the public and the underserved community
• 2001-2004 — UOP Esthetics Club.  Active member
• 2003-2004 — Teaching Assistant (TA)/Remedial Course Instructor/Tutor.  TA in Microbiology and worked with students in individual and group settings on operative dentistry, fixed prosthodontics, dental anatomy, biochemistry, physiology, histology and anatomy
• 2003 — TAU KAPPA OMEGA.  Elected and Inducted Member
• 1996 — Golden Key National Honor Society.  Inducted Member