Bachelor of Medical Science and Doctor of Medicine, Bachelor of Science (Honours), Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts

Dr Shakira Snell’s pathway to medicine was shaped by curiosity, resilience and a longstanding fascination with the brain.

Before studying medicine, Shakira completed an undergraduate degree in Arts and Science at Monash University, following her interests in biology, psychology and chemistry. She then undertook an honours year in a neuroscience lab, initially imagining a future in research.

“I’m definitely not the classic medical student story,” said Shakira. “I didn’t really know what I wanted to be when I grew up. I loved biology and psychology in Year 12, and I just kind of followed that through.”

While considering her next steps, Shakira sat the GAMSAT to explore clinical pathways. After performing better than expected, she applied for medicine, a decision she now describes as “the audacity to apply for medicine”.

“I did feel that it was a little bit harder,” she said. “But I was definitely one of those people who was like, just try it and see. I did love it, so I couldn’t leave.”

Shakira’s interest in neuroscience continued to deepen throughout her medical training, particularly through clinical exposure and neurology rotations. After graduating, she completed her internship with Monash Health and entered Basic Physician Training, with the goal of pursuing advanced training in neurology.
“I’ve always just found the brain fascinating,” said Shakira. “It does such cool things that, to me, I don’t understand why people need to believe in magic, because the brain feels like magic to me. It’s just magic that we can slowly figure out with one research paper at a time.”

For Shakira, Monash provided an important foundation in clinical practice, particularly as someone who did not come from a medical family or have established connections in the profession.
“The program had us on the wards and around people who are doctors, who walk the walk and do the job, so I could know exactly what I was getting into,” she said.

She also credits the people she met at Monash with having a lasting impact on her training and career. She remains connected with Dr David Reser, who taught her from her undergraduate years through to medicine and with whom she continues to undertake research. She also remembers Professor Michelle Leech’s graduation speech as a meaningful moment during the COVID-affected graduation period.

During her third year of medicine, Shakira experienced the sudden loss of her brother. She said the academic team supported her closely through that period, helping her consider her options, stay connected with the cohort and eventually take a gap year.
“They really took care of me,” said Shakira. “It surprised me how much they treat you as an individual.”

Looking back, Shakira describes graduation as one of her proudest academic memories. Coming from humble beginnings in regional Victoria, she found becoming a doctor beyond what she had once imagined for herself.
“I don’t have anyone in the family who would have been so insane as to think that they might become a doctor one day,” she said. “To have that was probably a really big highlight for me academically.”

Beyond the academic experience, Monash also gave Shakira lasting friendships. Some of her closest friends are people she met through the medical cohort, including peers from both her original cohort and the year group she joined after her gap year.

Reflecting on her career so far, Shakira says her idea of success has evolved. While graduating from medicine exceeded what she once imagined, success now means having balance, financial independence and work that continues to engage her curiosity.
“I couldn’t imagine doing something that didn’t tingle my brain and make me excited and have a little bit of magic in it,” she said.

Shakira’s advice to aspiring medical students is to find the part of medicine that will sustain them through the difficult days. “Medicine is hard,” she said. “There has to be something that keeps you coming back each day to do it. Find that little thing inside of you that drives you.”