Biomedical Fields

Biomedical research fields

The cells in the picture above are stem cells. They can become anything. So can you.

It's OK to not know anyhing about a field when getting started. It's expected. Ask questions. Explore.

There are a lot of fields. Many of them overlap. Here are some of the most common:

Biological sciences

Biology

Field biology. Lab biology. Out in nature, behind a microscope.

Think genetics, devlepmental biology, molecular biology

Neuroscience

Study diseases of the brain, how the brain works, Similar fields but from slightly different angles: cognitive science & psychology.

Speech & Hearing Sciences

Lots of applied biology and working with people. Overlap with neuroscience in content, but more clinically focused.

Biochemistry

How do enzymes work in the body? How can we develop better drugs based on human biology?

Environmental Science

Close to biology and engineering, but with environmental twist. How can we build better to protect our health and environment? How are exposures impacting our health?

Learn more about environmental health

Radiation Therapy

Think mammograms, cancer treatment, and other uses for radiation. Work with people.

Did you know OHSU offers a radiation therapy undergraduate degree? EXITO alum currently enrolled after transferring from PSU!

Immunology

How do our bodies fight off infection? For COVID-19, cancer, and all sorts of invaders.

As research explodes around microbiome (gut bacteria) and mycobiome (fungi!) involvement in health, this area will only get more important.

Chemistry

Atomic structures. Chemical bonds. Great introduction for understanding how drugs work in the body based on their chemical structure.

Physical sciences

Engineering

Electrical. Mechanical. Civil. Biomedical. Aerospace. Structural. Plus many more.

Learn more about engineering

Physics

It's more than gravity. Physics plays a big role in health sciences. Have you heard about medical physics? OHSU has a PhD program in it.

Computer Science

Computers run our lives. There's always something to code. One need? Analyzing images (from MRIs, CAT scans, etc.). How can we use natural language processing for image analysis?

Mathematics

It's more than numbers. Scoring algorithms, estimations of dosage or size, prediction equations, computational biology.

Biomedical research needs math.

Social Sciences - Community and population health

Public Health

Epidemiology. Biostatistics. Health promotion. Heath management & policy. Environmental systems and human health. Think upstream about the social determinants of health.

Learn about OHSU-PSU School of Public Health and public health careers

Social Work

Service to others. Helping people. Social justice. Solving problems. Effect positive change in society.

Learn about PSU's School of Social Work

Counseling & Education

Lots of sub-fields. Lots of settings. Mental health. Couples and family counseling. Substance abuse.

Learn about PSU's School of Education and Counseling programs

Psychology

Why do we do the things we do? Experimental or applied approaches. Lots of environments; lots of fields.

Learn about PSU Psychology

Health Professions

Want to work with people? We need you! Lots of fields. OHSU programs are included to show examples of prerequisites needed to apply. Most will want you to have shadowing experience to demonstrate that you know what the field entails.

Genetic Counseling

With precision genomics, we are needing professionals who can help the public understand genetic tests.

Online programs exist! EXITO alum currently enrolled!

Pharmacy

Drug interactions, compound medications, and managing doses. Lots of settings. Super important for research and clinical trials.

Learn about OHSU-OSU pharmacy

Physical Therapy

How does the body move and heal in response to injury? How can exercises help with movement? Work with people.

Learn more about OSU-Cascades DPT program

Nursing

Part of a caring team of providers. Lots of degree options. Lots of nursing fields.

Learn about OHSU nursing

Physician Assistant

Work as an important part of the healthcare team and even prescribe medications. Great summary of the program here.

Scholars have been interested in Registered Behavior Technician certifications.

Learn about OHSU's physician assistant program

Dentistry

Did you know that oral health plays a huge role in our overall health?

Dentistry diversity post-baccalaureate programs and via ADEA

Learn more about dentistry, including at OHSU

Dietetics & Nutrition

We know diet plays a big role on health, but did you know there are whole careers around it?

Learn about OHSU programs in human nutrition and Food systems & society

Medicine

You often hear about medical doctors (MD), but there are also doctors of osteopathy (DO) and naturopathic doctors (ND), like at Portland's NUNM.

Learn about OHSU's MD program

Clinical Psychology

Work with patients. Mental health. Behavioral health. Disease intervention.

Learn about OHSU's Clinical Psychology program

Respiratory Therapist

Work with people with breathing disorders, like asthma or bronchitis. Even more needed in light of COVID-19.

Occupational Therapy

Beyond movement. Help people perform daily living tasks. Rehabilitation. Problem solving. Work with children to elders.

Learn more about occupational therapy

Biomedical Informatics

There will be so much data. How will we analyze it all? Have a huge impact on health without of all the contact with people. There are lots of ways to make a difference.

Learn about OHSU Biomedical Informatics

More fields, more resources

Health Career Navigator

Amazing resource from our colleagues at Area Health Education Center in Hawaii describing various health careers, what they entail, salaries, and required schooling.

Explore Navigator here

Health Career Companion

Companion resource to Hawaii's Health Career Navigator that describes tips for figuring out next steps. Also describes years to complete degrees for various professions (page 17-18). Plus some CV and other resume guidance.