After a brief stint at music school for guitar performance, Shawn went back to college and enrolled at Inver Hills Community College (IHCC). After graduating IHCC, he transferred to the
University of Minnesota’s College of Continuing and Professional Studies. Shawn earned a B.S.degree in biology along with studying the history of biology and how society interacts with all sciences.

Prior to joining the Microbiome Transplant Program, Shawn worked 8 years at an agriculture biotech startup where he specialized in delivering the genome engineering tool TALENs into
plants.

Outside the lab, he enjoys creating and recording music along with taking photos. In his sparetime, Shawn advocates for broader education opportunities for first-generation college
students along with pushing for more affordable tuition.