Bachelor of Biomedical Science (Honours)

Monaal Madan’s relationship with Monash University started well before he became a student. Growing up in Clayton, just beside the campus, he spent much of his childhood with the university practically in his backyard.

So when it came time to choose where to study, Monash felt like a natural fit.

The University’s Bachelor of Biomedical Science (Honours) gave Monaal a strong scientific foundation, particularly through early exposure to translational research and critical inquiry.

“In Biomed, they told us we wouldn’t get a major in everything, but we’d get a minor in everything. You’re essentially a jack-of-all-trades, king of none. But that made me realise that life isn’t about being super specialised in just one thing. You have the ability to invest your time across different disciplines and bring them together,” said Monaal.

It was a chance encounter with Professor Mike Ryan in his second year that ultimately changed the trajectory of his career. After reaching out to the molecular biology coordinator, Monaal was hired as a research assistant and later secured a winter research scholarship.

During his time in the lab, Professor Ryan made an interesting prediction that Monaal initially brushed off.

“I remember he said to me, ‘Monaal, I think you’re an entrepreneur. You’re in the wrong field.’ And I went, ‘What are you on about? I am not business-minded, I want to be a doctor!’ Now, nearly nine years later, I realise he was absolutely spot on. He saw something in me before I could see it myself,” said Monaal.

Monaal went on to complete his First Class Honours through the School of Clinical Sciences under the supervision of renowned endocrinologist Professor Peter Ebeling AO, examining health outcomes in older adults as part of a randomised controlled trial.

Alongside his academic interests, Monaal developed a passion for community service and clinical operations. Between 2021 and 2022, he worked as a ward ambassador volunteer for Monash Health at Moorabbin Hospital, served the homeless with the Big Umbrella Foundation, and assisted in coordinating two of Monash's largest clinical trials (the STAREE and STRONGER trials).

In 2022, after graduating from his Bachelor of Biomedical Science (Honours), Monaal commenced his Doctor of Medicine at Macquarie University. It was during his medical training that his latent entrepreneurial spark caught fire, leading him to found Wing, a social technology platform that facilitates seamless, face-to-face connections in physical venues to combat social isolation.

In 2026, Wing won the national Red Bull Basement competition, leading to Monaal representing Australia at the global final in San Francisco alongside innovators from 46 countries.

“All of it stemmed from creative thinking that has its foundations in research and medicine. The analytical skills you learn at Monash help you approach product development methodically, test assumptions, and remain focused on measurable outcomes rather than intuition alone,” said Monaal.

Now in his final year of medical school, Monaal continues to balance clinical rotations, including a recent surgical placement in India, with his work in health-tech and AI. He also serves as the Vice Chair for Doctors for the Environment (NSC), where he recently launched and hosted a podcast focusing on health and climate change.

“The variety is something I genuinely appreciate; it keeps the work interesting and means I’m constantly problem-solving. When I'm on an emergency department shift, I am 100 per cent a medical student learning to be a good doctor. But when I step out of that space, I can switch hats and focus on the startup,” said Monaal.