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.

Original Article located here

This piece was featured in the fall/winter 2025 edition of Reinvented Magazine.

Governor Ron DeSantis Appoints Eight to the Board of Medicine

Article: Executive Office of the Governor

November 14, 2025

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Today, Governor Ron DeSantis announced the appointment of Dr. Gobivenkata Balaji, Dr. Lee Gross, Dr. John Littell, and Deborah Sargeant and the reappointment of Dr. Amy Derick, Dr. David Diamond, Dr. Patrick Hunter, and Nicole Justice to the Board of Medicine.

Dr. Gobivenkata Balaji

Dr. Balaji is the Founder, President, Chief Executive Officer, and Physician at Brevard Health Center. Active in his community, he is a member of the University of Central Florida College of Medicine Admissions Committee and the Holmes Regional Medical Center Credentials Committee and previously served as the President of the Brevard County Medical Society. Dr. Balaji earned his bachelor’s degree in medicine and surgery from JJM Medical College in Davangere, India and his master’s degree in healthcare management from the Florida Institute of Technology. 

Dr. Lee Gross

Dr. Gross is the Founder and Physician at Epiphany Health Direct Primary Care and the Founder of Prime Health of North Port. Active in his community, he is the Chair of Direct Primary Care Action and the President of the Docs 4 Patient Care Foundation. Dr. Gross earned his bachelor’s degree in chemistry from The Ohio State University and his Doctor of Medicine degree from Case Western Reserve University. 

Dr. John Littell

Dr. Littell is a Family Physician at John T. Littell, M.D., P.A. Active in his community, he currently serves as a Fellow of the Independent Medical Alliance. A veteran of the United States Army Medical Corps, Dr. Littell earned his bachelor’s degree in biology from Cornell University and his Doctor of Medicine degree from George Washington University. 

Deborah Sargeant

Sargeant is a Florida native who previously served as a member of the Florida State University Board of Trustees. Active in her community, she previously served as a member of the Bethesda Hospital Foundation, the Delray Beach Historical Society, and the Governor’s Mansion Commission. Sargeant earned her bachelor’s degree in accounting from California State University, Long Beach.

Dr. Amy Derick

Dr. Derick is the Owner, Founder, and Co-Chief Executive Officer of Derick Dermatology. Active in her community, she currently serves as the Chair of the Florida Board of Medicine and is a member of the Federation of State Medical Boards and the Florida Allopathic representative to the Interstate Medical Licensing Compact. Dr. Derick earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Notre Dame and her Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Chicago.

Dr. David Diamond

Dr. Diamond is a Physician at Oncology Physicians of Florida, P.A. Active in his community, he is a member of the American Society of Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology, the American College of Radiation Oncology, and the American Israel Public Affairs Committee. Dr. Diamond earned his bachelor’s degree in art and archaeology from Princeton University and his Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Florida. 

Dr. Patrick Hunter 

Dr. Hunter is a General Pediatrician at Pensacola Pediatrics. Active in his community, he is a member of the Catholic Medical Association and previously served as a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics. A veteran of the United States Army Reserve Medical Corps, Dr. Hunter earned his bachelor’s degree in zoology from Miami University, his master’s degree in bioethics from the University of Mary, and his Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Louisville.  

Nicole Justice

Justice is the Vice President of Patient Safety, Risk, and Insurance for Tampa General Hospital. Active in her community, she serves as the Chair of the Florida Board of Medicine’s Credentials Committee and was listed as one of Becker’s 90 Patient Safety Experts to Know in 2024. Justice earned her bachelor’s degree in business from the University of South Florida and her juris doctor from Seton Hall University. 

These appointments are subject to confirmation by the Florida Senate.

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The American Medical Association named as its new CEO Dr. John Whyte, an executive at WebMD who has also held roles at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Please follow link to full article on Forbes By Bruce Japsen Senior Contributor.: https://apple.news/AUgTorSAqSbiZNr4_ApzdJQ

Florida Today honors Dr. Mukesh Aggarwal ...

Merritt Island doctor and philanthropist who brought pioneering eye surgery to Brevard dies

Pioneering Merritt Island ophthalmologist and charitable organizer who provided free eye surgeries across the globe, dies

By J.D. Gallop @ Florida Today

The Merritt Island ophthalmologist and philanthropist who first brought the pioneering LASIK eye surgery to Brevard four decades ago and helped form the Brevard Indo-American Medical and Dental Association died last week. He was 75.

Dr. Mukesh Aggarwal took on the role of representing the interests of first-generation Indian-American and immigrant physicians and doctors in Brevard. He founded the Eye Clinic and Laser Institute in 1980, bringing the then-revolutionary LASIK technique to the Space Coast, helping countless residents improve their vision.

Aggarwal was born in the Punjab region of India. He trained to be a physician and arrived in the U.S. in 1974. He also traveled the world, from India to Central America, taking his expertise to villages where eyecare was largely unavailable.

"He just always wanted to help people. It made him happy. He was a very positive person," said Dr. Rajee Paul, a family physician who married Aggarwal 15 years ago.

Through those travels, Aggarwal provided thousands of free cataract surgeries across the globe to help restore sight to the blind.

“That was his passion,” said Glad Kurian, a longtime friend. “Dr. Mukesh Aggarwal was the single most impactful leader in the local Indian-American community since 1980.  His greatest passion was Charity Medical Missions in underserved parts of the world.  He performed thousands of cataract surgeries, giving sight to the blind and hope to the abandoned.”

Aggarwal also was the founding president of The Indian Association of the Space Coast in 1991. He also was instrumental in forming the Brevard Indo-American Medical and Dental Association, an all-volunteer organization made up of more than 180 dentists and physicians that provides cultural and philanthropic events helping the homeless population and others in need. The group would later be recognized by FLORIDA TODAY as Organization of the Year for its work helping others.

A memorial celebration of life for Aggarwal will take place Saturday beginning at 10:00 a.m. at Ammen Funeral Home, 1001 Hickory St., Melbourne. A funeral repast luncheon will be held from 12:15 p.m. to 2 p.m. at Brevard Hindu Mandir, 1517 Avenida del Rio, Melbourne.

Family members request that in lieu of flowers, donations should be made to the Brevard Association for the Advancement of the Blind.

“Dr. Aggarwal leaves a lasting legacy of service to the community,” Kurian said. “He was a great eye surgeon, leadership role model and dear friend who will be greatly missed.”

J.D. Gallop is a criminal justice/breaking news reporter at FLORIDA TODAY. Contact Gallop at 321-917-4641 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Or X, formerly known as Twitter: @JDGallop.