BioBuzz’s Buzzin’ Brood Student Spotlight series celebrates the future of life sciences talent — and the programs, institutions, and organizations investing in them.
Name: Sabina Nieto
Hometown: Oakland, California
Institution: UC Berkeley (Berkeley, California)
Role: President, Healthcare Business Association at Berkeley
Sabina Nieto is a Biology and Public Health student at UC Berkeley who is bridging the gap between molecular mechanisms and the broader public health dynamics that shape our healthcare system. We sat down with Sabina to talk about her path into life sciences, what’s exciting her right now, and where she sees herself headed next.
For Sabina Nieto, medical innovation isn’t just about what happens under a microscope—it’s about the environmental, political, and epidemiological forces that dictate whether a breakthrough actually reaches the public. Growing up in Oakland, California, she discovered the life sciences ecosystem through a high school health academy, eventually landing an internship at Bayer Pharmaceuticals that opened her eyes to the industry beyond traditional clinical routes. Now, as a student at UC Berkeley, she is pursuing a dual focus in Public Health and Integrative Biology to understand healthcare from every angle.
She doesn’t just study these intersections; she leads them. Sabina serves as the President of the Healthcare Business Association at Berkeley and is an active member of the Latinx Business Student Association, positioning herself at the nexus of scientific research and industry strategy. We sat down with Sabina to talk about her path into life sciences, what’s exciting her right now, and where she sees herself headed next.
How did you get here?
I was born and raised in Oakland, California—the heart of the Bay Area. Growing up, I exclusively went to public schools, which is where I learned about the opportunities in life sciences that aren’t just about becoming a doctor. The Bay Area is a biotechnology hub, and in high school I joined the ‘Health Academy.’ I was exposed to a number of opportunities and resources, from clinical shadowing internships to interning at one of the biggest biotech companies—Bayer Pharmaceuticals.
I also took classes where I learned how to pipette, perform gel electrophoresis, and use a microscope. All of these things hooked me on exploring sciences in a path that wasn’t just becoming a doctor. At UC Berkeley, I am majoring in Public Health and Integrative Biology because I want to understand life sciences and medical advancements in a holistic and interdisciplinary way. I am not just interested in the molecular mechanisms, but also in the larger public health and business dynamics that undoubtedly affect the healthcare field.
What is currently blowing your mind right now?
I am fascinated by the way in which public health dynamics—environmental, political, and epidemiological—shape our medical system and how they influence most medical advancements.
“Medical innovation is especially interesting once you understand how it came to be, from the discovery of penicillin to the rapid formulation of the COVID-19 vaccine.”
Medical innovation is especially interesting once you understand how it came to be, from the discovery of penicillin to the rapid formulation of the COVID-19 vaccine. Seeing how these massive breakthroughs are driven by real-world pressures completely changes how you look at the science.
If you could explain yourself right now in only emojis…
🤓🏕⛰✈🇲🇽👩🏽🔬
The first and last emojis (the nerd and the scientist) showcase my professional interests and current lifestyle as a full-time student. As difficult as it is to major in biology at one of the most rigorous universities in America, it feels worth it when I am in the lab looking at live amoebas and other cells in action.
Outside of school, I love to travel and get outdoors. Camping and exploring places in nature are some of my favorite activities—whether it be the mountains or the beach. The Mexican flag represents my heritage and family! I also traveled to Mexico four times so far this year!
If you could travel into the future… what does your LinkedIn headline say?
Officer Lead @ World Health Organization | Infectious Disease Specialist
I want to be a leader in global health, working to understand and combat infectious diseases on a massive scale. By combining my background in biology with public health strategy, I hope to connect with global health leaders and policymakers to ensure that medical advancements actually reach the populations that need them most.
What’s on your bucket list?
Something on my bucket list that I have been trying to accomplish for a while now is a Pacific Northwest road trip and stopping at all the National Parks. I’m hoping that this summer I will finally do it! And, eventually, I hope to go to all the National Parks!
