Abstract:

In the realm of novel technologies, the widening gap between public understanding and cutting-edge research presents a challenge for undergraduate training. Traditional curricula struggle to keep pace with the rapid evolution of technology, limiting the effectiveness of undergraduate education, especially for those aspiring to engage in professional-grade software engineering and machine learning projects. This challenge is particularly pronounced at the intersection of technology and medicine, demanding the cultivation of a diverse cohort across biological and technological disciplines. This paper outlines the approach of Medical Technology at Berkeley (MT@B), an undergraduate organization dedicated to fostering dialogue around medical technology through projects with companies and institutions such as Stanford Medicine, UCSF Medical Center, and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. To address the educational gap, MT@B employs a two-part interdisciplinary program in a cohort-based setting. The New Member Training Program focuses on hands-on skills and group learning, while the Education and Mentorship in Biotechnology, Applied Research, and Knowledge in Medical Technology (EMBARK-MT) program delves into fundamental and cutting-edge topics like Software Engineering, Data Analysis, and Computer Vision for biomedical applications. MT@B's initiatives successfully integrate undergraduates into a technical environment, emphasizing collaboration and championing academic intersectionality. This streamlined approach aims to enhance the undergraduate experience by providing accessible, hands-on learning opportunities that bridge the gap between traditional curricula and the demands of contemporary technology and medicine.

Keywords:

Technology in Medicine, Cohort-Based Learning, Medical Technology.