Undergraduate Deep Shah is an outstanding student and person. In addition to his academic accomplishments, he has a very strong and remarkable record of service and leadership activities, both on and off campus. Shah is a recipient of a 2007 Harry S. Truman Scholarship, a leading national award for academically outstanding juniors who plan to pursue careers in public service. An international affairs and genetics major from Duluth, he was the only student from the state of Georgia selected as a scholar this past year. He also has been involved in campus activities that support his career aspirations in domestic health policy. A main focus has been serving as co-founder and current president of Roosevelt@UGA, a student-run think tank whose members research and write policy proposals addressing current national issues. He co-authored a proposal on risk communication among non-clinical healthcare employees and served as one of six presenters on a student panel at a conference held at UGA in January to mark the 30th anniversary of former President Jimmy Carter’s inauguration. After his May 2008 graduation from UGA, Shah would like to pursue a graduate degree in public policy, as well as obtain his medical degree.
Hometown:
Duluth, Ga.
High School:
Greater Atlanta Christian School
Degree objective:
A.B. in International Affairs and B.S. in Biology
Expected graduation:
Spring 2008
University highlights, achievements, awards and scholarships:
My time at UGA has been marked by unique learning experiences that have helped me marry my interests in medicine and public policy. In 2005, I co-founded The Roosevelt Institution @ UGA—the campus’s first student think tank. Through Roosevelt, I have published two journal articles on health policy topics and am currently writing a third article on bioterrorism. My work with Roosevelt also inspired me to participate in two public policy fellowships. The first was UGA’s Honors in New York Internship at the Greater New York Hospital Association, and the second was SPIA’s U.S. Senate Public Policy Fellowship (in the office of Senator Johnny Isakson). Together, these experiences strengthened my desire to serve as a physician leader in health policy. Similarly, my experiences in the sciences have motivated me to pursue a career in medicine. During my first two years of college, I researched in Sue Wessler’s plant genetics lab. I then did a research internship at Emory’s Yerkes National Primate Research Center under Yoland Smith, which resulted in a second-author publication in the Journal of Comparative Neurology. For my dedication to serving others through medicine, I received the Harry S. Truman Scholarship in March 2007. I am also a Foundation Fellow, Robert C. Byrd Scholar, Governor’s Scholar, and National Merit Scholar.
Current Employment:
I substitute teach MCAT classes at Kaplan.
Family Ties to UGA:
I am fortunate to have both a cousin and second-cousin at UGA with me!
I chose to attend UGA because…
…of the Foundation Fellowship. When weighing my options as a senior in high school, I chose the fellowship because of the many travel and academic opportunities it offers. However, in retrospect, I am most appreciative of the community it provides. The relationships I have made through the program have been the most rewarding aspect of my collegiate experience.
My favorite things to do on campus are…
…to cruise South Campus and stop for a scoop of ice cream at the Creamery! I am often on South Campus for my science classes and always look forward to a pit stop at UGA’s ice cream shop.
When I have free time, I like…
…to eat! From Cookies Cafe to The Grit, I always look forward to sharing a meal with friends downtown. I also enjoy attending many of the unique events and shows that Athens hosts year-round.
The craziest thing I’ve done is…
…zoom through the canopies of Costa Rica’s cloud forest on zip-lines! After concluding an international medical service trip outside San Jose, I traveled with some friends to Monteverde, home to these unique rainforests. Connecting the treetops are a series of steel cables that visitors can fly across to get aerial views of the landscape. It was undoubtedly one of the most exhilarating and memorable experiences I have ever had. Another fun memory was taking a Turkish bath while visiting Istanbul on a spring break travel-study program!
My favorite place to study is…
…the Science Library. I typically go there in the late evening, when it is less crowded than the SLC and Main Library. The environment is very conducive to studying, so I always get a lot of work done. I also go to the annex of the Law Library on occasion. That’s the place to be if you need to read or study in silence!
My favorite professor is…
…Loch Johnson. While most people respect him for his internationally-renowned work in the field of intelligence studies, I am grateful to him for the unwavering support he consistently demonstrates. He has both helped me define a career path and facilitated merging my seemingly disparate interests in medicine and policy. Moreover, he always challenges me to achieve greater things than I believe are possible, while still offering the reassurance of a mentor and friend. I credit him for not only developing my academic skills but also cultivating my worldview and building my strength as a person.
If I could share an afternoon with anyone, I would love to share it with…
…my family! We are very close, but we rarely have the chance to be together anymore. My eldest sister and brother-in-law live in Boston, where they are in residency at Massachusetts General Hospital, while my other sister is a senior at the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Medicine. They are amazing students too!
After graduation, I plan to…
…pursue degrees in medicine and public policy. After completing my studies, I hope to practice medicine and craft health policy measures at the state and/or national level. My long-term goal is to serve as a physician leader in developing patient-oriented solutions to contemporary challenges in health care.
The one UGA experience I will always remember will be…
…briefing President Jimmy Carter at the Carter Conference in January 2007. For someone dedicated to public policy, no experience could have been more validating or inspiring as that afternoon was for me. What was so rewarding was that the President truly respected and appreciated our work, offering serious comments after we concluded the presentations. I will always be grateful to both the President and UGA for creating this opportunity for me and my peers.
