Hi! I'm Nalanda, a Master's student in Biomedical Engineering at USC. I'm originally from India but have fallen in love with Los Angeles and everything USC has to offer. I'm passionate about sharing authentic student experiences, whether it's about rigorous coursework, vibrant campus life, or my favorite hidden spots around LA. I'm friendly, reliable, and genuinely excited to help you explore whether USC is the right fit for you. Let's make your tour memorable!

Hometown

Pune, Maharashtra, India

Major(s)

Master's in Biomedical Engineering

Minor(s)

Medical Device and Diagnostic Engineering (specialization)

Clubs, organizations & involvement

Back in India, I served as Professional Development Director for Rotaract Club, where I led initiatives to help young professionals grow and organized community engagement programs that made a real impact. I also managed large-scale events, organizing 10+ programs that brought together 300+ attendees and coordinating 50+ volunteers to ensure everything ran smoothly. Budget management and logistics became second nature to me. Since joining USC, I've been working as a Student Worker supporting the Mann School of Pharmacy, where I handle the technical side of lectures, managing Zoom calls, camera and audio setup, and making sure content gets uploaded on time. I'm genuinely passionate about connecting people to opportunities and creating meaningful experiences.

Describe your college experience

Coming to USC from India was a transformative experience. I transitioned from managing large events back home to diving into a rigorous Master's program in Biomedical Engineering while building new connections in Los Angeles. My time at USC has been about balancing academic challenges with real-world application, whether that's developing wearable medical devices in the lab or supporting lectures as a student worker. I've grown both professionally and personally, learning to navigate a new culture while staying true to my passion for making an impact in healthcare technology.

Tip for future students

Don't be afraid to step outside your comfort zone. I came here as an international student and threw myself into new opportunities, attend events, start conversations, take on work-study roles. Build genuine relationships with professors and mentors. College will throw challenges at you, academically and beyond, but don't let them define you. I've had lonely moments on campus, but I learned that seeking help, staying organized, and connecting with people makes all the difference. Most importantly, enjoy every moment. Sit on the grass, grab coffee with someone you just met, explore campus. These small moments matter more than you think.

Favorite class

Regulatory Affairs for Medical Devices (RSCI 511). This class connected everything I care about understanding device approvals, patient safety, and the path from innovation to market. The nonclinical strategy project was rewarding, but what really resonated was building my wearable bioimpedance monitoring system in parallel. Designing sensors, validating data, troubleshooting hardware seeing theory become a real device taught me that I want to create innovations that genuinely help patients. That's where my passion is.

Career goals

I want to work in medical device development and healthcare innovation, specifically focusing on wearable systems and diagnostic technologies. My goal is to design devices that solve real clinical problems, whether that's monitoring patient health, improving treatment outcomes, or making healthcare more accessible. I'm passionate about bridging the gap between engineering and patient care, and I hope to contribute to innovations that genuinely improve people's lives.

Ideal way to spend a free night

I love evening and night walks exploring LA, meeting new people, and having conversations about our favorites, music, books, perfumes, skincare, whatever lights us up. Time with loved ones is essential, dinner, deep talks, just hanging out. I play music to unwind and I'm always exploring new places, hidden cafes, neighborhoods, restaurants. Quiet evenings at home with skincare routines and testing new perfumes are great too. The best free nights balance adventure, meaningful conversations, and genuine connections.

High school or secondary school

College- Dr. D.Y. Patil Institute of Technology, Pune, India University - Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune, India

Previous college

Bachelor's in Instrumentation and Control Engineering from Dr. D.Y. Patil Institute of Technology, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune, India (2023). My undergraduate focus on control systems and sensors directly supports my graduate work in wearable biomedical systems at USC.