He did Cardiovascular Research at UCLA during college on a honorary scholarship. He later did Diabetes Research at the USC School of Biochemistry prior to Medical School. During medical school he performed research on Eye Lipids at the prestigious Doheny Eye Institute. This extensive investigative research background in Biochemistry, Medical training, and his years of experience as an endurance athlete helped him create Sportslick, an athletic skin lubricant he developed to help runners prevent blisters.

Dr. Shahin began flying in 1986 to avoid jammed freeways while commuting to work at a medical clinic. He is licensed as an instrument flight and ground instructor, and also has commercial and multiengine ratings. In 1988 he began flying the Cessna 210, and now has over 1,400 hours.

An accomplished Triathlete and Marathon runner, he has run 38 marathons in the past 7 years. He finished the Maui Ironman and Ironman Canada. He also completed the California Ironman in 2000 and 2001 at Camp Pendleton. Just about every weekend he finds himself at a 10K or triathlon, often doing two races in a weekend. He began trail running to add variety to his workouts, and found himself looking forward to the mountain runs more than any other workout. He finds tranquility and peace in the quiet outdoors.

He co wrote 50 Running Trails in Southern California, a guide for trails from Santa Barbara to San Diego.  He took the 60 pictures included in the book as well.

He is an award winning photographer, and owns an aerial photography business Air Perspectives. He cannot get enough of taking pictures from the trail of mountains and sunrises.

His computer skills lead to a web site development and hosting business Dashweb.