Published: 08/17/2023
Pictured from left to right: Alexis Stahl '18, Arnon Ashkenazi '20 and Rachel Grubbs '19
Join us in catching up with a few of our biomedical engineering alum as they share their experiences at Gannon and beyond:
Alexis Stahl '18
"I graduated from Gannon with my bachelor’s in biomedical engineering in May of 2018. I then pursued my master’s in biomedical engineering at Duquesne University, graduating in May of 2020. I was fortunate to get a job in the middle of the pandemic, working at PerkinElmer Genomics in both the immunology and sequencing Departments as a clinical lab technologist for almost two years before joining Krystal Biotech as a bioprocess engineer in Pittsburgh, Pa. My current job focuses on the manufacturing and development of gene therapies for rare genetic diseases.
During my time at Gannon, I was surrounded by some of the best professors who went above and beyond to help students succeed and prepare us for our careers. I also had the opportunity to be a member of SEECS, which allowed me to gain real-world experience in product development, public speaking and professional writing. Gannon provided me with an amazing support system, as well as the opportunity to build skills that have since helped me tremendously in my current position and provided me with the confidence to be successful in my career.
I am forever grateful to have graduated from Gannon and will always have an appreciation for those who helped me get to where I am today. Go Knights!"
Arnon Ashkenazi '20
"I started in Gannon’s biomedical engineering program as a junior in August 2018 after transferring from neuroscience at a different university. My experience with the program has been overwhelmingly positive. Faculty truly seem to care about their students’ goals and academic achievement, and many acted as guides and mentors for both navigating studies at Gannon and life beyond. Being an international student who had just moved across the pond for the first time in his life, it was truly important and encouraging to me to be surrounded by such a diverse array of students and faculty from all walks of life.
Once I graduated from Gannon with a bachelor’s in biomedical engineering, I started working as a biorepository associate at Guardant Health in the Bay Area of California. The work involved the processing and handling of biological blood and tissue samples of cancer patients from all over the world for residual disease testing. During my 18 months at Guardant, I utilized many of the skills I learned at Gannon to optimize and engineer more efficient methods for sample processing and handling. As of March 2023, I am working as a product engineer at MediSens, also in the Bay Area. My work involves the design, improvement and implementation of various medical devices such as smart blankets, mattresses, diapers and sensors for patients in both Europe and the U.S. I learned many of my daily functions in a Gannon classroom.
My degree has helped me make a difference and improve countless patients’ lives, even just two years into my professional career."
Rachel Grubbs '19
"I started at Gannon University in 2015. Throughout my four years, I was able to experience a lot, from being a part of the Gannon women’s soccer team to attending different academic conferences with BMES and SWE. I graduated in 2019 with a degree in biomedical engineering. I continued my education at Purdue University and received my master’s in biomedical engineering. During my master’s, I worked for Cook Biotech, a company that focuses on bio-tissue implants. I worked as an intern in the post-market development engineering group and learned a lot about the bio-tissue industry.
After graduating from Purdue in 2020, I started my professional career working for a consulting company called TCS and was contracted as an engineer for Zimmer Biomet in 2021. There I learned a lot about the manufacturing of orthopedic implants and the basics of the orthopedic industry. After TCS, I moved to OrthoPediatrics as a development engineer in the new product development department for trauma and deformity products.
I now work at OrthoPediatrics designing orthopedic implants for kids around the world."
Take it from our alums – learn to lead the way with a biomedical engineering degree at Gannon University.