#  Academic Support 

 



##  Academic Support 

At HSDM, we are committed to supporting our students' academic success and professional growth. A variety of resources are available to help you excel in your studies and clinical training.



 

 [  arrow\_forward  Office of Dental Education ](/office-dental-education) 

 

      ![Student working on laptop](/sites/g/files/omnuum6001/files/styles/hwp_4_3__1540x1160/public/2024-12/0132_20241028_HDS_HolidayCard_132.JPG?itok=xDWucPtF) 

 

 



 

 



## Advising resources

During their first-year DMD students have access to the [Office of Advising Resources](https://hms.harvard.edu/), based at Harvard Medical School. The office provides personalized support to medical and dental students facing challenges in academic or clinical performance. This resource is designed to help you navigate and overcome obstacles to achieve your full potential.



 

 

##  Academic societies 

The academic societies—**Cannon Society, Castle Society, Hinton Society, and Peabody Society**—uphold a 230-year tradition of fostering connections between students and faculty at Harvard Medical School and HSDM. As an HSDM student, you will be assigned to one of these four academic societies, which will be a cornerstone of your experience across both schools.

Each student is paired with a society director who serves as a primary advisor, offering ongoing guidance and support. Society directors meet regularly with students to discuss progress, address academic, clinical, or personal challenges, and help set and achieve academic, research, and career goals while shaping meaningful co-curricular experiences.



 

 

###  Meet your society director 

 



  [### Shelyn Akari Yamakami

 ](/people/shelyn-akari-yamakami) [Shelyn\_Yamakami@hsdm.harvard.edu](mailto:Shelyn_Yamakami@hsdm.harvard.edu)Assistant Professor of Restorative Dentistry and Biomaterials Sciences

Cannon Society Director

 

 

 

      ![Shelyn Akari Yamakami](/sites/g/files/omnuum6001/files/styles/hwp_4_5__690x865/public/2025-04/Shelyn%20Yamakami.jpg?h=1206a558&itok=10pIzJ2t) 

 

 

 

   [### Luis Lopez

 ](/people/luis-lopez) [luis\_lopez@hsdm.harvard.edu](mailto:luis_lopez@hsdm.harvard.edu)Instructor in Oral Health Policy and Epidemiology

Castle Society Director

 

 

 

      ![Dr. Lopez](/sites/g/files/omnuum6001/files/styles/hwp_4_5__690x865/public/2025-01/Lopez.jpg?h=dadfca20&itok=3vtcyXVz) 

 

 

 

   [### Joshua D. Kristiansen

 ](/people/joshua-d-kristiansen) [joshua\_kristiansen@hsdm.harvard.edu](mailto:joshua_kristiansen@hsdm.harvard.edu)Instructor in Restorative Dentistry and Biomaterials Sciences

Hinton Society Director

 

 

 

      ![Josh Kristiansen headshot.](/sites/g/files/omnuum6001/files/styles/hwp_4_5__690x865/public/dental/files/josh-kristiansen-sized.jpg?itok=8L3czqxR) 

 

 

 

   [### Angeliki Polymeri

 ](/people/angeliki-polymeri) [angeliki\_polymeri@hsdm.harvard.edu](mailto:angeliki_polymeri@hsdm.harvard.edu)Assistant Professor of Oral Medicine, Infection, and Immunity

Peabody Society Director

 

 

 

      ![Dr. Polymeri](/sites/g/files/omnuum6001/files/styles/hwp_4_5__690x865/public/2025-01/News%20%26%20Notes_Polymeri.jpg?h=c57bc1fd&itok=D-VmTVTF) 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

### Countway Library of Medicine 

 

Countway Library offers Society Librarians as a key service, providing expert guidance in research, search strategies, database exploration, and evidence-based medicine to support student learning.



 [Explore more east](https://meded.hms.harvard.edu/countway-library-medicine) 

 



      ![Countway library inside view looking down stairs](/sites/g/files/omnuum6001/files/styles/hwp_1_1__480x480/public/2024-12/countway.jpg?itok=YHzliSWc) 

 

 

  

 



 

 

 

 

##  Quick links 

 



 [  arrow\_forward  Harvard guide to using sources ](https://usingsources.fas.harvard.edu/)