This semester the USC Career Center continued its series of Industry Insights; a series of student-led panels designed for students who want to explore various career options and hear directly from professionals.

On Wednesday, September 18th, we held the Health and Biosciences Panel with 3 inspirational panelists; Dr Mercury Lin, Behraam Baqai, and Dr. Justin Nast. The panel was moderated by Sarah James, a Career Center intern, who guided a discussion answering critical questions for those interested in exploring the field of Health and Biosciences. 

Meet the Panelists

Dr. Mercury Lin is a pathologist at Cedar Sinai Medical Center. Before joining Cedars, Dr. Lin was a medical officer with the US Navy. Dr. Lin graduated with his bachelor’s from UC Irvine and completed his medical degree at New York Medical College. 

Behraam Baquai is a Research and Development (R&D) Engineer at Inari Medical. Behraam graduated from USC with a degree in Biomedical Engineering. Following undergrad, Behraam received a master’s degree in Biomedical Engineering from Boston University. 

Dr. Justin Nast graduated from USC with a degree in Psychology. He then proceeded to complete medical school in Philadelphia. Dr. Nast spent 8 years as an Obstetrician/Gynocologist in the U.S. Air Force before working as a flight surgeon in Aerospace Medicine and Occupational Medicine for 21 years. Following his retirement from the Air Force, Dr. Nast now practices Occupational and Environmental Medicine as an independent contractor. 

Key Experiences in the Health and Biosciences Industries 

The panelists discussed their diverse experiences in their careers. Dr. Lin shared how he finds his work rewarding, as it allows him to positively impact patients’ lives. Behraam, an R&D Engineer, highlighted how his role contributes to improving patient care and emphasized the importance of teamwork in the healthcare field. Dr. Nast shifted the conversation toward the administrative and treatment challenges in healthcare but noted that guiding patients through work injuries and aiding in their recovery makes his career fulfilling.

Finding Opportunities as an Undergraduate Student 

The panelists explained that early exposure supported by experience is crucial for making decisions about career paths. Dr. Lin advised early application for internships, emphasizing the importance of hands-on experience in the field. Behraam added that various skills make you a more competitive applicant. Dr. Nasts explains that research experience can support your medical school applications and help develop one’s interests. 

Technology in the Health and Biosciences Industries 

Behraam explains how AI’s role in radiology has helped identify diseases and assist physicians. AI has helped detect conditions that are often missed in CT scans. Dr. Lin and Dr. Nast share that AI’s presence in the hospital setting can increase productivity rather than replace jobs. They explain how AI can help with tedious tasks such as charting and report preparation, yet recognize how healthcare is dependent on human interaction. 

Key Advice for Interviews:

Behraam: “Talk about projects that you’ve done where you show ownership and can articulate what you’ve done.” 

Dr. Nast: “Be organized and prepared!” 

Dr. Lin: “Be genuine and be yourself!” 

The advice from these accomplished professionals guides career exploration as students decide their next moves. For a deeper dive into the conversation, watch the full panel on our USC Career Center YouTube Channel. Stay tuned for more industry takeaways.