Dr. Shawhin "Shawn" Kadivar Shahriari, MD MA MS

Education:

• Microbiology, B.S., University of California - Santa Barbara, 2011
• Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology, M.A., University of California - Santa Barbara, 2013
• Masters in Science of Global Medicine, University of Southern California, 2014
• M.D. University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Honors in Research, 2018
• Plastic Surgery Resident, University of New Mexico Division of Plastic, Reconstructive, Hand, and Burn Surgery, Department of Surgery

Bio:

I was at UCSB from 2007-2013, during which time I learned and grew tremendously. There are a lot of details I could go through, but here is the abridged version of my story: I went from almost failing out of college during my first year (I was told that I would never graduate from college) to getting into graduate school at UCSB.

While in graduate school, I worked as a TA and laboratory instructor, and I became a mentor to many of my students. I soon realized what I had been missing during my undergraduate career was someone to guide me. This led me to talk to two fellow graduate students, Paige and Chana, and we decided to establish a group that would help guide undergraduate students through college, that way they could learn from our mistakes.

During graduate school, I realized bench research wasn't for me. After graduating from UCSB, I went to USC for a more clinical related experience in their Global Medicine program.

Throughout this whole time I had applied to medical school, a total of THREE times. I got 2 interviews the second time I applied and got waitlisted at one school. The third time, I got 2 interviews, and I got into the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences.

When you get into medical school, your slate gets wiped clean. I was finally free from less than 3.0 undergraduate GPA, and I took full advantage of that. I had built the skills, knowledge, and network I needed for success. Those skills had become habit, which let me build even more knowledge and an even larger network. That ended up being the secret to my success.

Now I am a resident in one of the most (if not THE most) competitive specialties in medicine. I am constantly developing the knowledge and skills to be a highly successful plastic surgeon. I am involved in a litany of clinical research projects, am building my network of mentors and mentees, and I get to teach my juniors and medical students who work with me. I am living a wonderful life with my fiance and our two pups (Charlie & Oliver).

Suffice to say, a lot has changed since my first days at UCSB, and I am always happy to share my knowledge, advice, and connections with you. Please reach out any time.