Dr. Robert S.

Dr. Shafton earned an undergraduate degree in history from the University of Michigan and began his career in investment banking. However, he felt that his calling was to become a doctor. Inspired by a research assistantship at the University of California, San Francisco (where he co-authored his first scholarly publication), he pivoted to medicine, completing a postbaccalaureate pre-medical program at Harvard University. He pursued research in psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and volunteered on the pediatric oncology ward at Boston Children’s Hospital. He was then accepted to the University of Illinois College of Medicine, where he received a merit-based scholarship covering full tuition for his second year and engaged in several research projects. After completing his residency, Dr. Shafton later transitioned to urgent care medicine, where he treated more than 12,000 patients across a wide range of conditions. 

As a research mentor, Dr. Shafton specializes in guiding students through the development of literature-based medical research projects. He works closely with students to refine feasible research questions, identify high-quality sources, synthesize evidence, and produce clear, well-structured academic writing that meets scholarly standards. His mentorship style is structured, thoughtful, and student-centered, with an emphasis on intellectual ownership, ethical scholarship, and understanding the realities of peer review and publication.

Dr. Shafton is particularly passionate about supporting students who may not have traditional access to academic research environments. He believes that learning how to ask strong questions, critically evaluate evidence, and communicate ideas clearly is foundational to becoming an excellent physician. His goal is not only to help students complete a strong research manuscript, but to equip them with durable skills that will serve them throughout medical school and their future careers.