The Master’s in Translational Biomedical Engineering, a relatively new 1-year non-thesis program offered by the Â鶹AV BME department, provides students with the opportunity to take courses taught by industry representatives and to partake in a 16-week internship. Arabo Shabandari graduated this spring, and we reached out to him to ask about his experience in the program.
My time in the Translational Biomedical Engineering (TBME) program at Â鶹AV was a transformative experience that expanded my perspective and opened doors I hadn’t anticipated. A defining moment came when I secured an internship at Norton Rose Fulbright, one of the country’s leading law firms. This incredible opportunity was made possible by my course instructor and supervisor, Professor Pierre Tâm Nguyen, who believed in my potential to thrive in a non-traditional role. Bridging my biomedical sciences background with patent law was a privilege, and this experience has been pivotal in shaping my passion and career path.
The diverse coursework in the program helped me grow as a scholar in several ways. The Precision Medicine class, which I still plan to specialize in after completing my PharmD, provided me with a forward-looking understanding of personalized healthcare. Courses on Clinical Trials equipped me with the knowledge to understand how trials are designed and conducted, and the Regulatory Affairs course gave me valuable insight into the complex procedures for Health Canada approval, as well as the regulatory landscapes in the USA and EU.
As I now pursue a Doctor of Pharmacy at the University of Toronto, I can confidently say that Â鶹AV played a key role in preparing me for this next step. The program instilled in me an interdisciplinary approach to problem-solving that continues to guide my academic and professional growth. It also nurtured my deep interest in developing innovative healthcare solutions, and I am grateful for the foundation Â鶹AV provided, which has been instrumental in shaping my future.