Hey! I'm Shahin, a graduating senior at UC Berkeley studying Nuclear Engineering with a minor in Materials Science. I've spent the last 4 years here doing everything from late-night lab sessions to intramural soccer tournaments, so I know this campus inside and out, the good study spots, the best food, the stuff that doesn't show up on any official tour. On the academic side, I've done 3 years of research, two summer internships at General Atomics, and first​/​co authored a couple of publications, so if you're interested in research, engineering, or just what it actually takes to thrive here academically, I've got you covered. Outside the lab I'm pretty active I play soccer, ski, cook, and love hanging with friends. I'm involved in the Persian Student Club and the American Nuclear Society, so I can speak to the social scene too. Whether you're trying to figure out if Berkeley is the right fit, curious about engineering programs, or just want an honest take on what student life is actually like — I'm your guy. Happy to show you around!

Hometown

San Diego, California

Major(s)

Nuclear Engineering

Minor(s)

Material Science

Clubs, organizations & involvement

American Nuclear Society: Research Chair Iranian Student Cultural Organization: Member

Describe your college experience

Berkeley genuinely exceeded my expectations — and I came in with high ones. Freshman year in the dorms was chaotic and cramped (triple in Unit 3), but my floor became a group of people I now consider brothers. I met my girlfriend there freshman year and we're still together. Sophomore year I got into research, found my footing socially through Persian Club and the ISCO soccer team, and started feeling like I actually belonged here. Junior year humbled me — long nights, hard exams, real Berkeley pressure — but it taught me how to push through. Senior year has been the reward: travelling, exciting research, and genuinely enjoying the time I have left.

Tip for future students

Get as involved as you can freshman year — you have more time and energy than you realize, and it's the easiest it'll ever be to meet people. That's the one thing I'd go back and do more of. Say yes to things even when you're tired. Go to the club fair, show up to the random floor hangouts, introduce yourself to people in your classes. The friendships that come out of that first year are the ones that stick. Junior year will be hard for everyone, so build your foundation early — take care of your health, know your people, and the rest will fall into place.

Favorite class

Nuclear Fusion. It sits at the intersection of physics, engineering, and one of the most important problems humanity needs to solve — and Berkeley teaches it at a level where you actually feel the weight of that. Every lecture felt like it mattered.

Career goals

I'm heading into a pretty unique setup after graduation — starting a part-time PhD in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at UCSD while working full-time as a Materials Engineer at General Atomics. Long term, I want to earn my PhD and transition into a senior research or managerial role at the intersection of GA and UCSD, focused on nuclear fusion materials. The goal is to help actually move the needle on fusion energy — it's what drew me to this field in the first place.

Ideal way to spend a free night

Honestly it's evolved every year. Freshman year it was parties or spontaneous trips into SF. Sophomore year, cooking something good and watching a movie with my friends. Junior year, if I'm being real, just sleep. Senior year has been a little bit of everything — I've finally figured out how to balance it all.

High school or secondary school

San Marcos High School

Previous college

N​/​A