Shalin hails from the "Chicagoland" area and is a loyal Chicago Cubs fan. He is also an aerospace engineer, former contractor with NASA's Space Shuttle and International Space Station programs at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, TX from 2002-2007. Outside of working for NASA in Houston, he served as a volunteer firefighter. His contributions of aerospace stories, experience, and insight have bolstered science coverage on Buzz Out Loud since Spring of 2006.

Fun factsEdit

• Recently Molly Wood bestowed to him the moniker of "Momma" for his concerns raised regarding the launch of an X-Wing rocket.