BME Careers Panel Speakers

Justin Rohde, Principal Engineer, Baxter Healthcare (Panel 2)

I graduated in 2005 with my BS in Biomedical Engineering and in 2006 with my MS in Biomedical Engineering. I was part of the co-op program at NU and spent 3 years working for Baxter Healthcare in their transfusion therapies division and I won the Northwestern Co-op of the year award in 2004. After graduation 2 years ago, I returned to Baxter Healthcare, but moved to the Renal division where I am currently. I am now a Principal Engineer in the Systems Engineering group working on new home renal therapies. As a Systems Engineer I'm responsible for all the fun stuff involved with designing medical products. I do a lot of work around defining system requirements, creating system architecture, mitigating system and design risks, and determining use
flows for how our products will work in our customers' hands. There is a lot of technical engineering work involved, but also a lot of interaction with our cross functional teams and our customers. The job is exciting, and the work is cutting edge, which makes it all the more satisfying.

Linda C. Lucas, Ph.D. Dean, School of Engineering University of Alabama at Birmingham (Panel 2)

Linda C. Lucas, Ph.D. became Interim Dean of the UAB School of Engineering on August 1, 2000, and was appointed Dean of the School on August 15, 2001. Dean Lucas is also a Professor of Biomedical Engineering, and the former Chair of the Department of Biomedical Engineering at UAB. She holds a BS in mathematics and chemistry from the University of Alabama, and a BSE and MSE in engineering, a MS in mathematics, a MA in Education, and a PhD in Biomedical Engineering from UAB. She has focused her academic career on the development of biomaterials for orthopaedic and dental implants. She and her students have presented their work in over 100 publications and made more than 250 presentations at scientific meetings. Students who have worked with her hold academic and industrial positions across the country. Dr. Lucas served on the Council of the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering, and is the past-President of the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering (AIMBE), the Biomedical Engineering Society, and the Society for Biomaterials. In 1998 she was inducted as a Fellow in the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineers, and in 2000 she was inducted as an International Fellow in the Society For Biomaterials

Nate has a background in medical devices and diagnostics and obtained his Bachelor Degree in Biomedical Engineering at Northwestern University. He has worked in general management at McMaster-Carr Industrial Supply Company and in hospital management at Cancer Treatment Centers of America. Upon his graduation from business school at the University of Chicago in 2008, he will join Medtronic’s Corporate Development team. In addition to his management experience, he has performed research for Johnson and Johnson's DePuy Orthopaedics in the area of soft and hard tissue regeneration and has consulted on strategy and investment opportunities for multiple medical diagnostic and device entrepreneurial ventures. He currently serves on the Advisory Board for Northwestern’s Biomedical Engineering Department and as the Co-Chair of University of Chicago’s GSB Biopharma Club.

Katherine studied Biomedical Engineering, with an emphasis in Biomechanics, at the University of Wisconsin – Madison. Undergraduate research focused on developing a bio-absorbable screw for ACL reconstructive surgeries that promoted tissue in-growth while providing stability. She is currently a member of Abbott Laboratories Engineering Professional Development Program (EPDP). This is a rotational program that provides four unique job assignments within different Abbott divisions, engineering functions and geographical locations. Katherine’s EPDP positions include Manufacturing Engineer for Abbott Spine in Austin, TX, Process Engineer for Abbott Diabetes Care in Alameda, CA and presently Process Improvement Engineer for Abbott Global Pharmaceutical Operations in North Chicago, IL.

Tej has a background in biotechnology and medical devices and obtained his Bachelor Degree in Biomedical Engineering at Northwestern University. He joined Archstone Consulting in August of 2005 and has worked in the Operations, Strategy and CFO practice areas as a Senior Analyst. Tej has consulted in a variety of business sectors including Consumer Product Goods, Aerospace, Manufacturing and Financial Services. In addition to his consulting experience, he has performed research for the Evanston Northwestern Hospital Department of Pediatric Neurology in the area of electrophysiology as it relates to Alzheimer’s disease.

Steve Jedlinski, B.S. Biomedical Engineering, J.D. (Panel 1)

Mr. Jedlinski studied biomedical engineering at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois.  While at Northwestern, Mr. Jedlinski played all four years on Northwestern's Men's Varsity Soccer team, serving as captain in his senior year. In addition, he received the honor of being a Big Ten Scholar Athlete for 2000, 2001 and 2002.

After graduating from Northwestern in 2003 with a B.S. in biomedical engineering, Mr. Jedlinski attended Chicago-Kent College of Law and was awarded a Juris Doctor with a certificate in Intellectual Property.  While at Chicago-Kent, he received an academic award for being top in his class for patent litigation.  Further, he was a member of the Intellectual Property Law Society and provided legal services to clients through Chicago-Kent's IP Patent Clinic.

During his studies at Chicago-Kent, Mr. Jedlinski clerked for Swedlow & King LLC and Grossman Law Offices, primarily providing class action and patent litigation support.  Further, he completed an externship with Jenkens & Gilchrist.  He joined Cook Alex as a full-time attorney following his graduation from Chicago-Kent in 2007.

Mr. Jedlinski has experience in U.S. patent and trademark prosecution matters, litigation, patent validity and infringement analysis, trademark clearance, and license and agreement preparation.

Kyle Jadin, Product Specialist, W.L. Gore and Associates (Panel 1)

Kyle Jadin got his Ph.D. in Bioengineering in 2006 from the University of California-San Diego, where he conducted research on cartilage tissue engineering. Dr. Jadin is currently a Product Specialist in the Medical Division of W.L. Gore and Associates in Flagstaff, Arizona. His role is to develop relationships with other medical device companies to incorporate Gore's unique array of biomaterials into finished implantable medical device designs. In these roles, Dr. Jadin has developed an understanding of key concepts of tissue engineering and biomaterial interactions in biological systems, including cell differentiation and growth, inflammatory responses, and tissue regeneration.

Chirag Patel, Consultant, Sg2, B.S. Biomedical Engineering, M.S. Learning Sciences, Northwestern University (Panel 2)

Chirag is responsible for the management of Sg2’s custom solutions engagements.  As a project manager, his particular responsibilities include overseeing the analysis of quantitative and qualitative data, the subsequent conception and development of deliverables with other Sg2 team members and ensuring timely and satisfactory delivery of all study materials.  Chirag’s project experiences include organizational strategic planning, service line development and technology and facility planning.  He has successfully worked with some of Sg2’s largest and most complex client organizations.

Prior to joining Sg2, Chirag earned a Master of Arts in the Learning Sciences from Northwestern University, where he focused his studies on organizational cognition, learning, and the use of organizational knowledge in strategic decision-making. Prior to graduate school, Chirag earned a BS in Biomedical Engineering with a concentration in Biotechnology from Northwestern University. 

During his time at Northwestern, Chirag worked with the VaNTH Engineering Research Center and various industry partners to develop a comprehensive learning unit that aims to introduce engineering and the design process to middle school science students. Chirag’s efforts have been published by the American Society for Engineering Education. 

Charla Triplett, President, BME Career Alliance

Ms. Triplett has over 12 years of experience working with scientists and engineers in the biomedical field, holds a B.S. in Microbiology and a M.S. in Bioengineering. She has an established reputation in the career development area of Biomedical Engineering with strong ties to academic institutions and professional societies. In addition, she has extensive connections within the medical device and biotechnology industry. Her background includes building several Biomedical Engineering Internship Programs and consulting with The Biomedical Engineering society. Charla currently serves as the President of the BME Career Alliance, a non-profit organization that helps connect biomedical engineering students with industry.