As discussed in the lectures, research in academia is usually passion driven while research in industry is money driven. Now, which is better? It is up to each individual to decide. What motivates you to work harder? What drives you to push forward and ask questions? Is it something burning within you or is it some appreciation that’s around you? As Dr. Simon said, it is choice of lifestyle but the end product or goal is the same and that is to deliver something new and useful.

I would suggest that a BME student try both academia and industry to live out the difference and see which is better for them.