Radio Shows | Biomedical Research Careers | mp3 … wma … wav

The one question we hear all the time from undergraduate students is - how can I get involved in biomedical research and who are the people doing it?

I agree and if they look at you and me - they'd think it's just for nerdy people.

Speak for yourself, Norbert.

The truth is individuals who become involved in biomedical research come from diverse academic backgrounds. Biomedical researchers are MDs, PhDs, MD-PhD who we affectionately call Mud Phuds and those with a masters in public health, among others.

They all usually obtain undergraduate degrees in the sciences, typically some area of chemistry or biology. There are also many with behavioral sciences or mathematics degrees.

Right now a field called the computational basis of biology or bioinformatics is expanding. This attracts students who have advanced mathematical skills like those in physics, computer science and theoretical or applied mathematics.

Some biomedical scientists chose to go to medical school first and then developed research skills in a fellowship. Others choose to go into a graduate program leading to a doctor of philosophy degree. Some truly motivated individuals seek both an MD and a PhD simultaneously.

Never the less they all eventually get to the point where they're working on the future of medicine — what we call — biomedical research.

The good news is that now days, doctorally trained individuals have many more career paths. Many work in research while some take advisory roles with legislative bodies or regulatory agencies.

Some are hired in the publishing world and others in finance. An expanding field is at the intersection of science and law.

So, the bottom line, Dave is that there are some great careers for young people with advanced biomedical training.

And we need them to keep advancing the future of medicine.

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