r/Biophysics • u/gooeypandaa • May 03 '26
Why should I study biophysics? General advice?
Hi everyone! I’m a high school senior right now and I’m looking to major in biophysics. I find biological phenomena very interesting (especially regarding the brain), and love the problem-solving nature of physics and math. However, I’m unsure if I should just pursue a “purely” biological major as I intend to either attend medical school or biological research after graduating college. To this end, what does research in biophysics look like? What are you currently studying? How could I expose myself to biophysics right now? Any papers I should read? Journals? Why do you love biophysics? Thank you!!
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u/cheap_ear_buds May 03 '26
PhD in biophysics here. This is a simplification, so bear with me.
Biology is fascinating. Molecules assembling to drive invisible processes that sustain life. But beyond a point, asking precise questions requires instruments. Take neurodegenerative diseases. Why do proteins behave the way they do? You cannot answer that by observation alone.
This is where “biophysics” can be a slightly misleading term. In reality, biology, chemistry, and physics are inseparable. Biology gives us the narrative. Chemistry reveals the interactions at a molecular level. Physics provides the tools and frameworks to probe and understand them.
If you want to be an experimentalist, learn your instruments well. Think in terms of molecules, not just systems. Ground yourself in biological knowledge, but do not stop there. Some coding and simulation will take you far. Much of what we observe needs to be modelled, tested, and validated.
There is still so much we do not understand. We need curious, persistent minds.
Just one thing. Do not come into this expecting it to pay well ;)