Why We Ride: College of Dentistry Members Participate in Pelotonia

August 5, 2026

College of Dentistry volunteers

College volunteers included (from left) Oral Biology PhD Candidate Fatma Fenesha, Gabi Wandling (T32 PhD candidate), Gina Buerkle (lab manager in Dr. Sarah Peters' lab), and Katie Freytag (incoming D1 student)

Members of the college joined more than 7,000 riders for Pelotonia Ride Weekend last week. The annual event raises money for cancer research.

Congratulations to our riders, whose efforts are helping advance Pelotonia's mission to end cancer.

D2 student Ben Wilch served as this year’s team captain. “I wanted to become the team captain to try and inspire more of my peers to ride as well,” Ben said. “Being a part of the College of Dentistry team and Team Buckeye truly goes to show how, together in our community, we can make a difference and help to advance research to end cancer.”

This Year's College of Dentistry Riders
Name	Position	Why They Ride
Emily Carpenter	Human Resources Business Partner	Emily rode on behalf of Dean Carroll Ann Trotman, who—after riding for her first time last year—had a conflict this year. Emily has participated in the ride multiple years to help fund cancer research.
Ian McCabe	Graduate student, Ohio State Fisher College of Business	Ian rides in honor of family and community members whose lives have been impacted by cancer.
Lauren McFarland	D3 Student	Lauren rides to help fund important cancer research.
Dr. Sarah Peters	Assistant Professor, Division of Biosciences	Dr. Peters helped relaunch the Team College of Dentistry Peloton after it had been dormant for several years. She has participated in Pelotonia for many years in honor of her sister, Debbie Peters, and other friends and family members who have passed away from cancer.
Monica Stanwick	Research Assistant in Dr. Sarah Peters’ lab.	Monica is one of the team's longest-serving riders on the college’s team and previously served as team captain. She rides in honor of her father and to remind others that “we shouldn’t endure cancer but end it.”
Ben Wilch	D2 Student and Team Captain	This is Bens’ second year riding in Pelotonia. He rides to honor and celebrate the members of his family who have battled cancer as well as everyone else who has been impacted by cancer.
Jonathan Wilch		Jonathan has participated in Pelotonia for multiple years and continues to ride to increase the number of positive cancer stories.