Purdue University: Experience as a lab technician in Structural Biology, Academic Advisor and Graduate Program Manager in Civil Engineering. Currently working with undergraduate students in Biomedical Engineering to identify opportunities for internships and coops. Guide graduating students as they search for permanent positions in industry and apply to graduate school/professional school.

Andy is a biomedical engineer and co-founder of Medical Murray, Inc. As vice president, he guides Medical Murray’s biomedical, materials, molding, quality and manufacturing engineers in the development and manufacturing of medical devices.

Andy has previous experience in medical devices as an engineering manager at Guidant (Abbott Vascular) as a biomedical engineer at Woodroof Laboratories.
Andy received a BS in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Iowa in 1984.

After completing Co-op terms at Aksys and the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, Brian Prange graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Biomedical Engineering from Northwestern University in 2008. Since then, he has worked as a Project Engineer at Angiotech Pharmaceuticals, heading his branch’s OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) product development efforts. Through working directly with nearly 50 medical device companies a year, Brian can offer a unique perspective regarding the skills and various career paths that are alive and well in today’s market.

Devin Soelberg graduated with a degree in Mandarin Chinese from Brigham Young University in 2007. Since then, he has work with Epic to implement EMR technology across the United States, specializing in the perioperative and procedural areas. He was a lead project manager that implemented Epic in the surgical areas at 13 Cleveland Clinic hospitals, including their flagship Main Campus facility. He is currently leading a multi-disciplinary implementation at a major academic medical center. He cheers for the Packers, drives a Honda and just remodeled his basement.

Michael Hirsh is a biomedical engineer with 18 years experience in the hospital, university and medical device and fitness industries. He started his career as a clinical engineer at the State University of New York at Stony Brook, responsible for coordinating medical device safety initiatives between the hospital and outside agencies. Moving to Chicago in 1997, he has worked 8 years at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago developing innovative technologies for people with disabilities. He has served as a consultant to the Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center for Recreational Technologies and Exercise Physiology, creating accessible cardiovascular physical fitness equipment. More recently, Mike has helped a local Chicago start-up, Eidosmed, develop their quality management system in preparation for FDA acceptance and product launch. After a brief stint at Dentsply International’s Professional division, he joined Life Fitness, a world leader in fitness equipment, in a senior biomechanics engineering role. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Biomedical Engineering from Tulane University in New Orleans, LA.

Samantha Planas received a B.S. in Biomedical Engineering from Milwaukee School of Engineering in 2007. As an undergraduate, she completed internships with the Microbiology and Immunology department at Loyola University Chicago and the Biomedical Engineering department at Marquette University.

She joined Baxter Healthcare as a systems engineer in 2007, taking on roles in their Renal and Cellular Therapies divisions. In 2009, she joined Fenwal Blood Technologies as a systems engineer, where she has worked primarily on improving plasma collection technologies and establishing protocols for delivery of plasma-derived therapeutics.

Samantha is currently pursuing a Masters in Engineering Management (MEM) at Northwestern University. She is the communications chair for the Chicagoland chapter of the International Council on Systems Engineering (INCOSE) and a member of the American Society for Quality (ASQ).