Madhulika (Maddy) Srikanth [Photo courtesy of TE Connectivity]
Dr. Madhulika (Maddy) Srikanth has been with TE Connectivity for over 5 years, working with the R&D/Product Development Team as an Engineering Manager.
Srikanth leads multiple projects and validation work with the R&D and product development team for minimally invasive medical device applications. She’s a creative visionary with a track record of key-development inputs in critical-to-business projects and acquisitions.
Srikanth holds a PhD in Mechanical Engineering with her thesis in Biomedical Application of Nanomaterials from Wichita State University. She is a big soccer (football) and Formula-1 racing fan and during weekends enjoys spending time with her family and 2 dogs.
What first drew you to medtech? When did you first know you wanted to be in the industry?
Srikanth: As a teenager I was always interested in human biology and medical novels I loved reading books by Robin Cook. During my school years I realized that I was more driven towards engineering. During my graduate studies, I became fascinated with the use of novel materials for bio-medical applications and I wanted to use my engineering degree to try and find solutions to medical problems. The focus of my PhD research was the use of novel materials in tissue engineering, such as use of carbon based nanomaterials for embedding artificial tissue scaffolds for growth of neural cells. I realized that although I enjoyed research and academia, I wanted to work on something that applied to the practical world, so that I could make a difference to patients and consequently, ended up in the medtech industry.
What projects, past or present, have made you love what you do?
Srikanth: As modern medicine expands one of the key trends I am seeing is the rise in interventional procedures, for minimally invasive surgery. A lot of the work I am doing is in this space is about advancing medicine for structural heart applications. My favorite projects are working on early phase prototyping. Developing break through technology for first in human trials reminds me the importance everyday of what we do in this industry.
What projects are you most looking forward to?
Srikanth: Within TE Connectivity we have the unique potential to work in collaboration with other business units. With medical devices getting smaller and smarter, I would bemost excited about the opportunity to do interdisciplinary work with our sensors and IOT (internet of things) divisions to collaborate on the next generation of medical devices. Medical devices of the future may be unrecognizable to what we know today with the promise of better treatments and better outcomes.
What are some of the barriers women face in today’s medtech industry, if any?
Srikanth: I am grateful that I do not have personal experience with barriers to medtech, I feel that my contributions are valued equally to that of my male counterparts, but I cannot presume this is the same everywhere. On average, women account for 17% of executive and senior leadership positions in medtech. That is in stark contrast with the S&P 500 company average of 26% – so there is a lot of work to be done to break down those barriers even more for our industry. With regards to women who do feel they face barriers my advice would be to play to your strengths with confidence. Don’t be afraid to confront incorrect assumptions and perceptions about your abilities and capacity for leadership.{
Describe your biggest leadership challenge. How did you conquer it or resolve it, or what was the outcome?
Srikanth: My biggest leadership challenge has been keeping my team motivated throughout the Covid crisis. A lot of the work that we do requires hands on activity and a certain amount of physical presence at our workplace. We had a habit of seeing each other and working together every day and we thrive on each others energy – it’s a team effort. During the pandemic a lot of those interactions were restrained and I could see how those distances between teams, over an extended period, had an impact on collaboration and well being. During this time it was very important for me to be present at work every day and keep those interactions going – even as simple as eating lunch together while chatting about life across plastic barriers in our cafeteria. Being supportive and flexible with time off for family support, making it easy for them to reach out to me for any questions they may have and trying my best to be there for them helped to keep our team cohesive in a very difficult time.
Talk about your leadership skills. What is the most important lesson you have learned that has guided you in your career?
Srikanth: One of the main things that I have learnt is to build trust. It takes time and patience, but once built, it can take a team far. I have personally learnt to trust my team to do what they do best and play a role as a facilitator. I have learnt that there is a time when one has to be a decision maker and there is a time when one needs to seek and trust a team member to make the right decision.
In your opinion, what more can be done to promote greater participation of young women in the medtech industry today? To inspire young women into the industry I feel more importance needs to be put on the reality of engineering in medtech. You are affecting a person’s life, and advancing the future of medicine. Often one can get caught up in day-to-day activities at work and lose focus on the big picture. I believe if they took a step back to look at how they potentially impact people’s lives it would inspire them to be a part of it. However, I also feel very strongly that keeping women in medtech is of equal importance. Many women join the industry and come to a crossroads when they want to take a career break or start a family. Companies such as TE Connectivity are taking solid steps to move towards more flexible working arrangements both in where and when they work. This transformation encourages all employees and especially women to stay in the workplace and work in a way that is flexible and accommodating to them. I believe these options help keep women connected to their careers through a crucial time in their lives.
Why is it important for companies to be more inclusive and have more women in charge?
Srikanth: In a recent talk from Belinda Palmer, TE’s WIN (Women in Networking) group discussed leading with empathy. I personally believe this is something women have a natural talent for. Studies show that women on average have higher levels of emotional intelligence and I believe that it is this intelligence and empathy that enables them to become wonderful leaders. Equality in leadership is crucial, as it is that level of trust and understanding that is essential to growth.
