Just say Yes! Some of my most meaningful experiences at UBC came from stepping outside my comfort zone. If it’s something you’re genuinely passionate about, just do it anyway, and the rest will come.
Brianna Tsuyuki
- Degree:
- Bachelor of Applied Science
- Grad year: 2026
- Program:
- Campus: Vancouver
Brianna Tsuyuki is the recipient of the 2026 Lieutenant Governor’s Medal for Inclusion, Democracy and Reconciliation, which is awarded annually to outstanding UBC students who have excelled academically while making exceptional contributions to their campus or communities.
I was born and raised in Belcarra, British Columbia. Growing up, I spent much of my time outdoors skiing, hiking and biking the amazing landscapes of the province. In high school, I knew I wanted to pursue a career in healthcare, but I could never shake my passion for math, physics, and problem solving. Biomedical engineering offered the perfect combination of both.
What have you learned that is most valuable?
One of the most rewarding aspects of my time at UBC has been my involvement with the UBC Biomedical Engineering Student Team (BEST). I joined the Biochemical Innovation Team in my first year as a mentee and ultimately led the team for the final two years of my degree.
At the same time, my work as an adaptive ski instructor sparked a growing interest in traumatic spinal cord injury and rehabilitation. This led me to join Dr. Dena Shahriari’s lab at ICORD, where I spent three summers assisting on research on neuromodulation technologies and leading a project investigating more accessible approaches to urinary catheter reuse.
In both experiences, I was surrounded by inspiring individuals from a wide range of disciplines, from electrical and mechanical engineering to biology and medicine. They taught me that some of the best solutions come from approaching a problem from every angle.
More than any technical skill, it taught me the value of collaboration and the importance of bringing together different perspectives to solve complex healthcare challenges.
Is there a memorable project you worked on?
One of the most fascinating projects I worked on was my capstone project with a physician from Peace Arch Hospital. Our team developed a device to stabilize an ultrasound probe during CPR to enable continuous monitoring of vital signs and blood flow. It was incredibly rewarding to work on a project with direct clinical applications and collaborate closely with healthcare professionals to address a real-world problem.
How did your studies in the Faculty of Applied Science prepare you for the future of work?
My goal is to become a physician who combines the technical skills of a biomedical engineer with the human connection of clinical care to drive innovation in frontline healthcare. My time in Applied Science has prepared me to work across the increasingly interdisciplinary landscape of modern medicine. As healthcare rapidly adopts technologies such as artificial intelligence, wearable medical devices and data-driven decision-making, my engineering background has given me a unique understanding of both their potential and their limitations. It has taught me to critically evaluate issues such as data bias, patient safety and equitable access to technology.
More importantly, engineering has changed the way I think. In healthcare, it can be easy to view a problem as a collection of symptoms and focus solely on treatment. Engineering taught me to dig deeper and ask why the problem exists in the first place.
As a future physician, I hope to bring this broader perspective to patient care and provide healthcare that is not only evidence-based, but also compassionate, holistic, and equitable.
