Student Testimonials

The Human Biology program provided me with an outstanding foundation for medical school, equipping me with a deep understanding of the human body’s organ systems and biological principles. Through the program’s interdisciplinary approach, I not only built a strong grasp of core anatomy and physiology but also explored broader topics that are critical to modern healthcare, such as nutrition, obesity, and genetics. This curriculum allowed me to appreciate how biological mechanisms intersect with public health and patient care, preparing me to think critically and holistically about human health. Beyond the classroom, the program fostered a spirit of scientific inquiry and adaptability—skills that I know will continue to guide me throughout my journey in medicine. I am especially grateful to the incredible professors in the HBIO program, including Dr. Polidori and Dr. Schier, whose mentorship and support—both in the classroom and during office hours—have been invaluable. With their guidance, I was able to earn first place in the LURAP award, sponsored by the American Physiological Society (APS), at the 2024 USC Undergraduate Research Symposium, for my research on CRISPR-Cas9 engineered retinal organoids related to retinoblastoma at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA). These experiences, shaped by outstanding mentorship and rigorous academic preparation, have not only strengthened my foundation in human biology but also equipped me with the skills and confidence to succeed in medical school and beyond.

As a first-generation college student and pre-med, choosing to major in Human Biology with the Health and Disease track was one of the most meaningful decisions I made at USC. The program gave me a strong foundation in understanding disease processes and metabolic dysfunction, which helped me feel much more prepared heading into medical school. HBIO 360 and 370 with Dr. Polidori were especially memorable—she’s such a passionate and engaging professor, and I really appreciated how she encouraged us to think critically. I loved working through patient cases in lab, practicing differentials, and interpreting lab results to figure out what might be going on and how we could treat it. The HBIO department genuinely felt like a supportive community. The faculty cared not just about our academic success, but also about helping us grow into thoughtful, capable future healthcare professionals. I’m incredibly grateful for everything I learned and for how much this major shaped my path toward medicine.

The Human Biology program at USC gave me a strong and well-rounded foundation in the sciences, which has been incredibly valuable in dental school. It deepened my understanding of the human body—from cellular biology to organ systems—while also introducing me to broader healthcare topics like nutrition, obesity, and genetics. This interdisciplinary approach encouraged me to think beyond rote memorization and to see how biological systems connect to real-world patient care. It shaped the way I approach problems: critically, holistically, and with a clear understanding of the bigger picture. That preparation gave me a significant advantage during my first year of dental school, especially in biomedical science courses, where I was already familiar with much of the material and could engage more deeply with the content. One of the most influential parts of my undergraduate experience was the mentorship I received from Dr. Turcotte, whose support in and out of the classroom helped refine my study strategies and pushed me to think more independently. Her guidance was a major reason I was able to score highly on the dental school entrance exam, and her impact continues to shape how I learn and grow today. I carry the mindset and preparation I gained from the Human Biology program into every course and clinical experience I take on now.

USC’s Human Biology program is a rigorous and encompassing curriculum that encouraged me to pursue a career in scientific research. I’m currently a PhD candidate in Biomedical and Translational Sciences at the Cedars Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles and continue to apply the skills I learned as an HBIO undergraduate to this day. I’m grateful for the faculty and department advisors that provided me with opportunities to hone my skills in research, guided me to apply for student grants and fellowships and recognized my capabilities to teach as a Supplemental Instructor. I’m also grateful for the dynamic nature of the program that supplemented core concepts in human anatomy and physiology with a wide breadth of upper division courses that later helped me shape my interest in this broad field as well. The network of people I met through this program remains an important part of my professional journey and if I were to go back in time, I would gladly relive my experience in this program.

The Human Biology major provided me with an abundance of exposure and opportunity. It wasn’t until I switched my major to Human Biology that I realized what I wanted to do long term. It was because of this major, and the Health & Disease track, that I decided to study Nutrition and continue to learn about the fundamentals of the human body. My undergraduate experience prepared me well for my future studies. Human Biology was also a great major for me due to the selectivity and specificity it provides. I always appreciated how there was a broad connection between all HBIO students as well as within certain tracks of the major, making the field feel small and aiding for a sense of community within the students. Every professor I had was knowledgeable and accomplished and every classmate I had was determined and passionate, creating a very motivating environment overall.

If I were to redo my time at USC, I would major in HBIO again without hesitation. I am grateful for the program’s innovative and fantastic labs emphasizing human exercise physiology which some of my classmates here are envious of. I still feel very lucky to have had the opportunity to learn from excellent TA’s who I still remember today and to have had access to unique equipment not many other universities offered to their students. I am thankful for the opportunity to pursue my honors thesis and the excellent mentorship I received from my advisor and professors, especially Dr. Turcotte. Lastly, I do not exaggerate when I say I reference the foundational knowledge from my HBIO metabolism labs and classes regularly in medical school. I continue to feel comfortable when we review pathways for class or board exams. I believe those classes were the most important I’ve taken at USC or, as commonly said in medical school, “very high yield!

The ability to take a wide range of health-related classes within Human Biology allowed me to find my passion: improving nutrition for kids. The professors in HBIO are willing to help you achieve your goals both in and out of the classroom. They went above and beyond to help me create an impact on the surrounding communities through projects like the Milligan Fellowship and the JEP WonderKids program. The advice of Drs. Polidori, Stanford, and Turcotte really helped me at USC and is invaluable! I especially appreciate how the classes made me truly fall in love with biology. The professor’s passion comes through during lectures and it made me genuinely happy to learn for the sake of learning rather than just for grades. Not to mention, HBIO provides many ways to enhance your learning such as participating in really unique labs, conducting research with a professor, and attending Peer Tutoring sessions (I was a peer tutor for 302L and it was the best experience!). Although I am a law student, I believe the HBIO major was one of the best decisions I made during my time at USC and I highly recommend this major for anyone, not just people interested in pre-health!