Dr. Akbarian holds a Bachelors Degree in Biology from the University of New Orleans. He later earned a Masters in Teaching from the University of Louisiana in Monroe and worked as a certified high school teacher in Northwest Louisiana for several years before attending medical school at LSU Health Sciences Center in Shreveport. He was one of two students to graduate with Research Distinction in his class; his area of interest is economic medical disparities and he was a recipient of the CNS/CSNS Medical Student Fellowship in Socioeconomic Research. While he was twice presented with the Annual Continuity Clinic Award during his Residency at LSU Health Shreveport, he currently works only in inpatient settings as a staff physician at Willis Knighton Medical Center in Shreveport. When not practicing medicine, his favorite activity is to spend time with his wife of 15 years and his children.