Rachel Roos
Class of 2021
Clinical Engineer
MS-MPE Student
Rachel Roos graduated from Robert Morris University in the spring of 2020 with a degree in Biomedical Engineering and a minor in Mechatronics. She is currently enrolled in the University of Pittsburgh’s Master’s Program in Bioengineering with a focus on Medical Product Engineering. Rachel is from Valencia, PA and is working at UPMC Shadyside with Clinical Engineering while earning her degree. In her free time, Rachel likes painting and is looking forward to traveling again.
Immersion in the Clinical Environment
As I neared the completion of my undergraduate degree, I was almost certain that I wanted to enter the workforce straight after graduation. I wanted the experience in the medical field and the ability to apply my knowledge learned from my classes within that setting. As graduation approached and the pandemic limited work opportunities, I started to explore the option of advancing my degree. One of my professors from my undergraduate program recommended Pitt’s Master’s in Bioengineering with a focus in Medical Product Innovation to me. While reading more about the Master’s program and talking to the professors involved, I realized this program was the perfect way to further my exposure to the device development process and the subspecialties of bioengineering while also allowing me to interact with industry professionals. I chose to apply to this program because I believed it would help me to achieve my goals of working to develop medical products.
During my sophomore year of High School, I had the opportunity to hear from the Chair of Duquesne University’s Engineering Program who described an innovative approach for detecting cancer by utilizing lasers. This pioneering approach captured my attention and resonated with my desire to make a positive impact on patients. In 2012 my nephew, Jackson, was diagnosed with a rare form of epilepsy and since then our family has struggled finding the right equipment to aid him in his daily life. The struggle to find the best assistance for Jackson has instilled a desire to assist other families facing similar challenges. These two experiences have shaped me and motivated me to become involved in the field of biomedical engineering. The summer before my senior year of college, I also had the opportunity to participate in the Biomedical Engineering Society Coulter College. Under the direction of a faculty member, three other biomedical engineering students and I were given a clinical need and tasked with creating a viable solution to this problem. Our clinical need was ensuring compliance to the prescribed medication regimen for patients with mild-to-moderate hypertension. The program included preliminary work to research the topic and our program culminated with workshops and presentations at Medtronic Headquarters in Minneapolis. My team collaborated with clinicians, industry professionals, and a design team to integrate all aspects of the design process while understanding the functional, commercial, and regulatory components of the translation process. This experience helped to further cement my interest in the translation of biomedical innovations and was the greatest factor in my decision to apply to this program. This program will allow me to further my knowledge and skills and the focus in Medical Product Engineering will give me crucial insight into designing medical devices by immersing me in the design process and allowing me to work with clinicians and industry partners.
"The struggle to find the best assistance for Jackson has instilled a desire to assist other families facing similar challenges...
...these two experiences have shaped me and motivated me to become involved in the field of biomedical engineering
My background thus far has given me a significant grounding in the engineering field, but I would like to further my knowledge in the area of medical device innovation through hands-on learning. I want a deeper exposure to the various specializations of biomedical engineering and to develop my niche within that sphere. I recognize that I have not yet reached the full extent of my educational goals and I am looking to further my knowledge and understanding of the field to best obtain my professional goals. I believe that the University of Pittsburgh Department of Bioengineering in conjunction with the Center for Medical Innovation will help me strengthen the skills, knowledge, and experience that will allow me to not only succeed but to thrive in my future work environment. The hands-on experience offered in labs will reinforce my knowledge and understanding of the design, development, and regulatory process of medical devices. I want to work alongside clinicians, industry professionals, and patients in order to determine areas of most need and develop devices that can improve the quality of life.
I want to pursue a career within the area of Research & Development and this program will help me to best leverage my experiences to make me a successful member of the workforce. I am interested in the fields of adaptive and rehabilitative equipment as well as regenerative medicine and biomaterials. The areas of regenerative medicine and biomaterials fascinate me because of the ability to create ground-breaking technologies that can replicate the processes of the human body. My interest in adaptive equipment stems from my interactions with my nephew, Jackson. He has encountered many struggles in his daily life due to his rare form of epilepsy as well as his autism. He is non-verbal with poor fine motor control, and as such adaptive equipment plays a large part in keeping Jackson safe during his daily life. The opportunity to design equipment which would allow him to be involved in family activities would be incredibly impactful; I would not only be helping individuals with disabilities broadly but providing direct support to my nephew. I want to engineer products that will improve the mobility and function of people with disabilities and allow them to participate fully in society. Graduating from this program will change the trajectory of my career. It would give me the opportunity to solidify my skill set in the engineering of medical devices, while collaborating with some of the finest engineers and minds in the profession. Through the completion of this program, I hope to further my knowledge, gain hands-on experience, and build relationships to further my career. My goal is to develop technology that will reach patients and improve their lives whether it is through creating adaptive equipment, prostheses, or bioscaffolds, and this degree will propel me closer towards achieving that goal.
