Doctor of Dental Surgery Candidate
Omer Merchant
First-year dental student at the Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC, with a background in clinical research and community health in Los Angeles.
About
I'm a first-year DDS student at USC, where I also earned my B.S. in Human Biology. My path to dentistry ran through hospital floors and dental operatories. As a COPE Health Scholar I completed 300 clinical hours supporting nursing staff with direct patient care, and I've spent more than 250 hours shadowing in general and pediatric dental practices.
Outside the classroom I help lead Trojan Street Aid, a USC student organization that brings care to unhoused people in downtown Los Angeles. After a year as President, I now serve as Co-Chair of the Board and Dental Liaison. Stepping back from running it taught me that my impact doesn't stop when my title changes. I believe in getting involved in service and staying in it, even when you're busy, even when it's hard, and even when you feel you've already done your part.
Experience
Clinical
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2025 – 2026
Dental Shadow
Robert Sarkissian, DDS, MAGD
Observed and assisted with fillings, crowns, root canals, and implant placement in a general practice. 100+ hours.
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2024
Dental Shadow
Thousand Oaks Children's Dental Group
Shadowed Dr. Ahsan Raza, DDS, learning the fundamentals of pediatric dentistry and how to put young patients at ease. 150+ hours.
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2023 – 2024
Health Scholar
COPE Health Scholars · Simi Valley, CA
Supported licensed staff with direct patient care, including vitals, feeding, and mobility, while learning hospital workflows, infection control, and patient safety protocols. 300 clinical hours.
Leadership & Service
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2025 – Present
Trojan Street Aid
University of Southern California · Los Angeles, CA
A 501(c)(3) nonprofit and USC student organization that connects students with the unhoused and recently housed community in Los Angeles through workshops, community projects, and free health screenings.
trojanstreetaid.org ↗- Co-Chair of the Board & Dental Liaison2026 – Present
- President2025 – 2026
- Operations Board Member2025
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2018 – 2026
General Volunteer
Islamic Society of West Valley
Volunteered at my mosque for more than eight years, organizing and setting up religious and community gatherings, helping coordinate prayer services, educational programs, and charity initiatives, and supporting fundraising and donation drives.
Research
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2024 – 2025
Research Assistant
USC Roski Eye Institute · PI: Benjamin Xu, MD, PhD
Multiracial Angle-Closure Progression Study, which looks for risk factors for glaucoma. Recruited participants, explained study procedures, and obtained informed consent to build a diverse study cohort.
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2021
Research Assistant
KabaFusion · PI: Syeda Laila Alqadri, MD
Supported clinical research on multiple sclerosis that contributed to a published clinical overview.
Publications
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2021
“Multiple Sclerosis: A Clinical Overview”
Contributor. National Home Infusion Association Magazine, Nov/Dec 2021, p. 41.
Education
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2026 – 2030
Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS)
Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC
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2024 – 2026
B.S., Human Biology
University of Southern California
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2022 – 2024
Biology
Moorpark College
Certifications
- BLS Provider · American Heart Association
- HIPAA for Research
Posts
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Oct 2026
A month into dental school
LinkedIn
“I'm a regular guy. I went to community college, then transferred to USC. I applied to nine schools on December 31st and got into two. Since I got in, people have asked me for advice. This is what I share.”
Read on LinkedIn ↗ -
Sep 2026
From president to volunteer
LinkedIn
“Going from president to volunteer in an organization I helped build made me realize something. That my impact does not stop once I step into a non-operational role.”
Read on LinkedIn ↗ -
Jan 2026
Current Student Spotlight
Featured by Ummah @ USC Alumni Association
“We connect USC students to the unhoused community through resident-focused workshops, community projects, and free health screenings.”
Read the interview ↗
Contact
I'm always happy to connect with anyone, whether you're a student exploring dentistry, a colleague, or someone who just wants to say hello.