By Chloe Drieu
Did you diagnose sick teddy bears as a kid or binge-watch “Grey’s Anatomy” long before you could drive? You’re not alone. Many of us have always dreamed of helping people through science. Behind every medical school acceptance, there’s a story of grit, guidance and … genetics? At Florida Institute of Technology, the premed and biomedical science programs offer a launchpad for future doctors, researchers and innovators, with more than just textbooks to help you thrive.
Careers in Biomedical Science
Biomedical science combines the fields of biology and medicine, focusing on maintaining and promoting health in humans and animals. Whether you aspire to be a leader in cancer research, explore the mysteries of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, become a doctor or veterinarian, or even break into medical physics, a degree in biomedical science can take you nearly anywhere you want to go.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the United States employs over 1 million biomedical scientists—ranging from physicians and pathologists to biochemists and biomedical engineers. When you dig into the numbers, entry-level salaries in the biomedical field vary by role, location and employer. Recent graduates working in labs doing basic research or quality control can expect starting salaries in the ballpark of $50,000 to $65,000 per year, whereas those going into clinical research coordination, medical technology firms or biotech startups might see $60,000 to $80,000 per year, or even higher.
The most common employers in these roles include hospitals, pharmaceutical companies, diagnostic labs, universities, public health departments and biotech startups. Some careers require advanced degrees or specialized training, but many roles are accessible directly after earning a bachelor’s degree, particularly when paired with lab experience or internships.
The job growth outlook for biomedical scientists is generally positive. According to national labor statistics, employment for biological scientists is projects to continue to grow, with particularly strong demand in biomedical engineering, biotechnology and research and development (R&D) for public health challenges.
The Power of Interdisciplinary Preparation
Forget the myth that becoming a doctor means locking yourself in a lab with flashcards and stethoscope. At Florida Tech, future physicians take a more dynamic route. Students can major in biochemistry, genomics and molecular genetics, physics, biomedical science—you name it.
They are encouraged to design a customized path that aligns with their passions and career goals. Are you interested in artificial organs? Neurobiology? Rural medicine? Florida Tech’s flexible approach gives space to explore before committing to a single specialty.
What sets the program apart is its interdisciplinary mindset. Medicine today isn’t siloed—it requires engineers to build better prosthetics, chemists to design smarter drugs and data scientists to decode genetic patterns. At Florida Tech, students study across departments, collaborate with peers outside their field and leave with a toolkit as diverse as the patients they one day serve.
The opportunities aren’t solely limited to undergraduate students. Thanks to a partnership with Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine, students can connect with medical school faculty right on campus, attend suturing labs, participate in mock interviews and even secure a spot in the pathway program that admits students directly into Burrell’s Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) degree program.
At Florida Tech, students are surrounded by medical school energy from day one instead of waiting until senior year to get clinical exposure.
Real Life Research
Of course, classroom learning is only half the story. Every full-time biomedical science faculty member at Florida Tech runs an active research lab, and they encourage undergraduates to get involved. Their courses always include a lab component, so students learn to think critically and experiment boldly. Many students even earn credit through an undergraduate research course. Each year, students present their findings at the Northrop Grumman Engineering and Science Student Design Showcase, an event that connects them with local biotech and medical companies.
Florida Tech students are encouraged to engage with research opportunities as early as their first year on campus. A few examples of current science projects: the biomechanics laboratory investigates how physical forces affect tissue; the biomanufacturing lab develops biomaterials with applications in wound healing or artificial organ scaffolds; and the Fox Biogeochemistry Lab works on molecular mechanisms of disease, such as signaling pathways involved in cancer cell growth. Other labs are exploring genomics, antibiotic resistance and bioengineering.
The program includes several women making big waves in their respective fields. Assistant professor Michelle Cherne brings immunology to life, inviting undergraduates to explore how the body defends itself against disease, while gaining hands-on lab experience. Her projects often double as training grounds, where students study theory and actively practice discovery.
Assistant professor Melissa Borgen, a molecular biologist and geneticist, shows how curiosity can drive breakthrough insights into neurodegenerative disease. She brings students into the fold early, proving that undergraduates can contribute meaningfully to research on the very questions shaping modern medicine.
And in microbiology, assistant professor Careesa Liu empowers students to see themselves not only as learners but as scientists with a voice. Her work on noninvasive brain imaging and infectious disease research extends from the lab bench to conference presentations, where she encourages students to share their findings and step into the wider scientific community.
Research, above all, is about community. Anna Grimm ’22 B.S., ’25 M.S., a Florida Tech premedical chemistry alumna with a minor in forensic psychology, found that the small size of her program shaped her entire experience. While the small major initially felt isolating for her, it eventually led to some of the most amazing friendships she experienced while in school and close relationships with faculty who supported her journey from start to finish. Her story shows how Florida Tech’s flexible programs and research labs foster mentorship, collaboration and lasting, meaningful connections.
Life Beyond Lab
Being a premed student or majoring in biomedical science isn’t all microscopes and molecular pathways. Students often talk about the community that sustains them through late-night study sessions and long hours in the lab.
Peer-led tutoring groups, science clubs and organizations like the Pre-Health Club provide spaces to swap MCAT prep tips, volunteer at local clinics or simply share coffee and consolations after a tough exam.
Mentorship also extends outside of campus. Many students shadow physicians in local hospitals or join service-learning projects that bring health education into the community. These experiences remind them that medicine isn’t as much about solving puzzles under a microscope as it is about helping people. Combined with the support of close-knit cohorts and friendly faculty who know each of them by name, students again not only scientific skills but also resilience and empathy-traits as essential to their future careers as any technical training, if not more.
Curiosity, persistence and connection are at the heart of medicine. At Florida Tech, students find mentors, resources and research opportunities that help shape those very qualities. By the time they graduate, they’re not only ready for professional school, but also to carry forward the confidence and compassion needed to make a difference in science and medicine.
This piece was featured in the fall/winter 2025 edition of Reinvented Magazine.
