Bijan Abar attended Johns Hopkins University from 2012-2016 where he graduated with honors and received a B.S. in Biomedical Engineering. In 2016 he started an MD at Duke University School of Medicine. During his 3rd year of medical school, Bijan received the Clinical and Translational Science Award which provided funding to enroll in the Clinical Research Training Program where he earned an MHS in 2022. During that time, he joined the Gall lab and started his PhD in Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science. While working on his thesis, he presented at national conferences, published several papers, contributed a chapter to a textbook, and filed a patent. Bijan graduated from the Feagin Leadership Program in 2021. He has also mentored 14 students and was recognized with the 2023 Dean’s Award for Excellence in Mentoring. Bijan is currently completing his final year of medical school and applying for residency.