Bahar Shahidi, PT, DPT, PhD is an assistant professor in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at University of California San Diego. Her academic background includes a B.S. in chemistry from UC Berkeley, a doctorate in physical therapy (DPT) from University of Colorado Denver, a PhD in neurophysiology from University of Colorado Denver, and a post-doctoral fellowship in skeletal muscle physiology at the UC San Diego. Her research background includes understanding tissue specific, neurophysiological and psychosocial contributions to the development and maintenance of spine pain and pathology using biological, physiological, and imaging-based tools. She is particularly interested in how interactions between psychology and physiology influence success with conservative and surgical management of chronic spine pain. Dr. Shahidi also has 9 years of clinical experience as an outpatient orthopedic physical therapist specializing in chronic spine conditions. Additionally, she teaches both clinically and academically, having served as a primary instructor or assistant instructor for the Physical Therapy program at the University of Colorado Denver, the Orthopaedic Surgery Resident program, Medical School, and School of Pharmacy at UCSD, and the Physical Therapy program at San Diego State University.