I graduated from Penn State University in 2022 with a BS in Biology, specializing in Genetics and Developmental Biology. My main academic interests growing up had always been molecular biology, biochemistry, and genetics, although I was unsure how those interests would develop into a fulfilling career path. I wanted to directly help people and have a positive impact, but I didn't have the passion to be a doctor or PA like most of my bio peers did. I was exploring all my options when I found out about the MS-Medical Product Engineering program at Pitt, and I thought this might be a perfect fit for me. 

 

I decided to apply to the MS-MPE program after completing an enriching internship experience at the CDC during my undergrad in their national personal protective technology laboratory. As an engineering intern for 2 years during the pandemic, I worked on research projects relating to product efficiency and expedited market entry of N95 respirators and other important personal protective equipment during times of great need, such as a pandemic. While working alongside biomedical engineers and biotech companies during my research, this experience sparked my interest in medical products, clinical needs, and bioengineering. 

 

Since starting my graduate career, the MS-MPE program has taught me essential industry skills and knowledge. I learned how to design solutions for clinical needs as well as how to navigate the regulatory world and bring devices to market. I’ve had the opportunity to work on several exciting bioengineering projects, such as designing a naloxone transdermal patch, creating a business model for a niche speech-generating device, engineering a novel genetic circuit in a model organism, and prototyping new ideas for compression therapy. 

 

Through my experience and knowledge gained from this program, I had the opportunity to gain hands-on industry experience as an intern. During my Spring 2023 semester, I was a commercialization intern for LifeX biotechnology accelerator program where I assisted an early-stage startup with competitive landscape analysis, customer discovery, market research, stakeholder analysis, business model development, and regulatory strategy. During the summer of 2023, I was a full-time quality engineering intern for Cresilon, a successful medical device startup in New York City that manufactures a hemostatic gel to stop traumatic bleeds. I assisted with risk analyses, design validations, process validations, FDA pre-submissions, and regulatory affairs. I was there to witness them receive their first FDA approval, and I learned extensively about what it takes to get there. It was so exciting to be a part of it and see them come one step closer to saving their first human life. 

 

I am currently very excited to be with LifeX again as a commercialization intern for the fall 2023 cohort of companies! My interests in industry are very vast, and I am open to trying out many roles until I realize which route I'm most passionate about. My main career goal is to make a positive difference in the world. Whether that be by improving patient outcomes, increasing quality of life, or helping solve world health problems. As I look to the future, upon graduation I am hoping to go into industry with a role in business development, quality engineering/regulatory affairs, or sales!