Kiara Hallinan

Kiara Hallinan started her career in education and has since pivoted her focus to oral health after seeing the effects of gaps in healthcare on the students in her classrooms. Her experiences have given her insight into the cultural and personal significance of taste and smell, and their connections with one’s physical and mental health. Her background in community service initiatives and life sciences will aid in her endeavors to provide research-backed educational content to the public that is accessible to all, all with the goal of instilling more confidence in individuals to both take care of their health and seek additional care when necessary.

“I came across WTSA because I was looking for a way to make a difference beyond just advising people to brush their teeth and floss. Improving one’s quality of life does not mean just avoiding pain - it’s about ensuring that people can enjoy the simplicities of life despite the challenges they face. I believe the work that WTSA is doing essential work by starting conversations about what matters most to individuals and how to navigate situations that often don’t have a light on them. From here, there is so much greater understanding that can be done from both a research and humanitarian perspective.”