About Shawna

Shawna graduated summa cum laude from Iowa State University with a BS in Biology and minors in Genetics and Economics. While in undergrad, Shawna spent her time in a genetics lab researching SNP variations and phenotype associations and volunteering in her local community. After living in the Midwest her whole life, she moved to Boston to attend dental school (a dream since she was 15!) at Harvard School of Dental Medicine (HSDM). Shawna has been a mentor and tutor since she was in high school, but really found her passion for science during undergrad, where she was a chemistry, genetics, and biology tutor. As a tutor, she implemented a teaching approach that emphasized conceptual understanding over rote memorization to enhance her students’ learning experiences. She continues her mentoring at Harvard School of Dental Medicine, where she helps pre-dental students outline, draft, and refine their personal statements, along with conducting mock interviews followed by constructive feedback. Additionally, Shawna helps pre-dental students identify areas for improvement when completing their dental school application along with figuring out study strategies that work for them. Outside dental school, Shawna enjoys running and attending fitness classes, spending time with friends, and trying new restaurants in the Boston area. She also loves cats and dogs, and has her own cat named Clementine!