About Shawn SN

I grew up below the U.S. Federal Poverty Level in a shared townhome in East Baltimore. Each day, I saw how inequities are influenced by systemic issues. I also grew up away from our family village; as a latchkey kid, I spent most of my days in the libraries of Baltimore public schools. After losing most of my early friends to violence in the area, I embraced a core mission: to help ensure others do not experience the same.

I realized that when you combine technology with logical argumentation, people not only listen, but they act. I also realized that higher education helped protect me from meeting the same fate that gun violence brought upon my peers. I started at a community college and worked my way up to becoming an undergraduate Senate representative at our state university. In the Honors College, my studies centered on the nexus of health, bioengineering, and government—learning under Dr. McKechnie, who was also a key advisor for my Honors thesis on health jurisprudence that merited grants and conference presentations.

I then went to graduate school at Harvard University and Harvard Medical School, completing my Master's degree in Applied Neuroscience. During my training, I was mentored by Dr. Simon Caine, a Director at McLean Hospital (the premier neuroscience and psychiatric research hospital affiliated with Harvard Medical School). I took a leave from school to care for a terminally ill family member, an experience that reinforced my commitment to translational and applied neuroscience. I ultimately graduated with the #1 GPA in my cohort, earning a Dean's Achievement award.

These pillars ultimately allowed me to fortify how I tackle those childhood problems. I lead initiatives built around the issues that nobody else addresses, ensuring my voice carries weight in final decisions. I hold a patent portfolio, have authored multiple briefs in appellate courts, and have testified nationally, often being fortunate enough to see that testimony directly impact the outcome of the ruling. Having governors, mayors, courts, committees, federal agencies, and people from my background cite my work has been incredibly humbling. I truly enjoy learning from people of different backgrounds and view public work as the honor of a lifetime.

Today, I lead The Native Claim Firm and STEMpathize 501(c)(3) (both official United Nations Partner Organizations) to ensure the lessons I learned are passed on. Outside of my professional work, I enjoy composing Native House music (a genre I created), staying in good physical condition, and mentoring anyone who could use my advice. I have met so many amazing people in my life so far, and I hope to meet many more!