Sahana Shah
Hello! My name is Sahana Shah, and I am a first year medical student at Oregon Health and Science University. I am an aspiring physician-scientist-advocate, with an interest in dance and a newfound interest in writing! I joined this community as I am looking for ways to get back in touch with my love for dance, and explore this passion through my future career in medicine (neurology).
I graduated from Oregon State University with a degree in Biochemistry and Biophysics in 2024. My concentration within this degree was neuroscience. I took two gap years before medical school. From 2024-2025, I worked full time as a research technician at Washington University School of Medicine. From 2025-2026, I worked in Barcelona, Spain as a Fulbright predoctoral researcher, in which I studied CPEB4, a protein involved in autism spectrum disorder. I am interested in incorporating research and advocacy into my career as a child neurologist.
In addition, I learned bharatanatyam (Indian Classical Dance) for 12 years. I performed nationally and completed a capstone performance called an "arangetram" when I was 15 years old. Since then, I have given a workshop highlighting the role of math in dance technique to a public library in Houston and expanded into other dance styles (Bollywood, Bhangra, Flamenco). As a Fulbright Fellow last year, I created a routine incorporating styles of dance from India, Spain, and Puerto Rico, conveying an overall message of unity across cultural divides. I believe that sharing social themes through dance is a powerful avenue which can speak volumes.
Interests
Neurology, Neuroscience, Biotechnology, Education, Disability Advocacy, Human Rights, Dance, Writing, Social Impact