At USC Mann, undergraduates have access to research and mentorship opportunities that, at many institutions, would only begin at the graduate level. Still, despite the rapid growth of the school’s bachelor’s degree programs and minors, demand for practical experience remains high.
Ky Duong, MS ’25, BS ’25, and Kenneth Phung, MS ’25, BS ’25, set out to help satisfy that appetite. They co-founded Beta Rho Chi (BPX) as a space to explore the life sciences industry at USC beyond the traditional classroom. In doing so, they became pioneers: BPX is USC’s first—and so far only—student-led biotechnology and pharmaceutical professional society.
“What really motivated me was the opportunity to help build something that didn’t yet exist—a community for students with interests beyond the typical pre-health or pre-pharma path,” recalls Ashley Nguyen, MPH ’26, one of BPX’s 10 founding members and the group’s current co-president.
Since starting in April 2023, BPX has grown rapidly, launching interdisciplinary programming that spans biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, business and technology. The society’s mission is rooted in peer-to-peer mentorship, career exploration and cross-disciplinary collaboration.
“BPX represents students from every USC school, across dozens of majors, staying true to our mission of creating an interdisciplinary network,” Phung explains.
Duong notes that the organization is “a melting pot built from a tight-knit community of students motivated to drive change and innovation in biotech and pharma.”
The society’s programming reflects that vision. Members gain hands-on opportunities through career workshops, panel discussions, and innovation-driven events such as New Member Pitch Night and the AI & Sustainability Case Competition. These experiences give students the chance to test ideas, collaborate across disciplines and prepare for the fast-changing biotech landscape.
Terry David Church, associate professor of regulatory and quality sciences at USC Mann, said he was proud to be selected by the students to serve as their faculty advisor. “Beta Rho Chi is more than just a student organization—it is a thriving professional community dedicated to advancing biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and the many disciplines that intersect with these fields.”
Duong, who earned a BS in pharmacology and drug development and an MS in management of drug development, is well on his way to a career in toxicology. Nguyen is now pursuing her master of public health degree while continuing to guide BPX’s next chapter. Phung, who graduated with a BS in biological sciences from USC Dornsife, along with a minor in biology and business from USC Marshall, went on to complete an MS in translational biotechnology at the Keck School of Medicine. Today, he works as a research associate in clinical operations at Parexel, helping advance the kind of therapies BPX was founded to explore.
As new students join the society, its founders are confident the society will continue to thrive. “The future of BPX is bright,” Phung says. “I’m excited to see where it goes next.”