My career at Instron started five years ago as a technical sales engineer and over time has evolved into my current role as Global Biomedical Account Manager.
I was born in Jordan and moved to the U.S. in 2006 to attend college at the University of Southern California, where I graduated with a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering with an emphasis on materials science. My time at USC introduced me to R&D studies that helped to grow my interest in the biomedical world.
Today, I work closely with our biomedical partners to help navigate their challenges in medical device testing. Being a world-class manufacturer of materials testing systems, Instron has given me opportunities and tools to support our biomedical partners and ensure they meet all the quality testing requirements to the highest standards. It is truly the most rewarding experience knowing that our biomedical partners can count on us.
I am honored to be an immigrant woman working in the medtech industry, and I will always be grateful for the opportunities I’ve been given throughout my journey. I am a mother to two wonderful children and when I am not working, I love spending time with my family creating cherished memories.
What initially attracted you to the medtech industry? How has your perspective on the industry evolved over the course of your career?
During my initial years at Instron, I was exposed to a variety of different industries. What attracted me the most to medtech was knowing that I could be part of a solution that brings healthcare closer to patients, essentially by giving them more power over their own care.
My perspective on the industry has shifted significantly over the course of my career. Traditionally, there has always been a disconnect between healthcare providers and patients. Now, I am seeing this gap being bridged as patients become more connected to their healthcare setting. The mindset of many medtech companies has also shifted — the primary consumer is no longer healthcare facilities or professionals, but patients themselves. It is great to see this transition in the industry — giving patients more control over their healthcare than ever before.
As a seasoned professional in the industry, how do you envision the future of medtech? What emerging technologies or trends do you believe will have the most significant impact?
With the patient population continuing to grow, especially those suffering from the effects of aging and chronic disease, I envision medtech moving toward creating a sustainable homecare setting for patients. Wearable devices have evolved throughout the years, and they promise to help us understand the correlation between specific biomarkers and patients’ health. This will change the traditional doctor-to-patient relationship, allowing patients to be in control of their own health while giving doctors an opportunity to connect with their patients even more.
The most significant impact will come from the creation of sensor-embedded devices that continuously provide patients with information about their health. For example, data about the patient’s heart rate, respiratory rate, and temperature can help prevent cardiac or respiratory attacks.
From your experience, what are some of the key challenges that medtech engineers are likely to face in the coming years? How can professionals in the industry prepare for and navigate these challenges effectively?
I think one of the biggest challenges medtech engineers are likely to face in the future is how to mitigate risks related to cybersecurity. These connected biowearable devices are consumer products that collect large amounts of personal data and dispense drugs based on specific readings. Creating cybersecurity teams that help keep this data secure will be very important in order to mitigate any risks of data breaches.
In your opinion, what areas or applications within medtech have the greatest potential for growth and innovation? Why do you consider them promising?
In my opinion, sensor-embedded wearables have the greatest potential for growth and innovation. This technology is promising because we are giving patients control over their own health data. By giving patients access to important biomarkers, it will help monitor, support, and sustain human health. For example, a biowearable device can measure patients’ glucose levels, and an understanding of their glucose levels will help them get a better grasp on their health and nutrition to prevent conditions like high cholesterol or type 2 diabetes.
As technology continues to advance rapidly, how do you think medtech engineers can stay ahead of the curve and ensure they are equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge?
In my opinion, medtech engineers need to train and develop new skills and capabilities and become more tech-savvy. Shifting from department-specific tasks to multifaceted tasks is crucial to stay ahead of the curve. There is still a lot of ground to cover, but embracing new capabilities and a new operating model is important to drive growth. This is a fast-changing digital environment, and being flexible and open to change is a prerequisite.
From a broader perspective, how do you see the role of medtech engineering in shaping the future of healthcare? What impact do you anticipate it will have on patient care and outcomes?
Medtech engineering plays a major role in this digital revolution of healthcare. It is pushing healthcare forward by focusing on patient care. This revolution will change how patient care is perceived. It can be a significant step forward in preventative care.
Considering the increasing importance of interdisciplinary collaboration, how do you think medtech engineers can effectively collaborate with professionals from other fields, such as medicine and computer science, to drive innovation in the industry?
In the digital revolution of healthcare, it is important to break barriers between the consumer electronics industry and healthcare. To thrive, collaboration is key — and there is so much to learn from the tech industry. Some areas for collaboration include technology as well as analytics and data compliance. In addition, both industries have one end goal: customer experience/expectations. For both industries, customers expect more advanced digital performance and reliable health data readings from these devices to make improvements in their health.
How do you think diversity and inclusion can contribute to the advancement of medtech engineering? How do you foster a culture of innovation within your team or organization?
Building a diverse environment can lead to innovations that better serve a wide range of patients. Including people from different backgrounds and experiences will enrich the discussions around medtech and new ideas. To advance innovation, you need great new ideas — and these are best created when you have a diverse team that is more agile and brings in new perspectives.
At Instron, we pride ourselves in a decentralized and entrepreneurial culture that empowers everyone to think and act like a business owner. This mentality fosters a culture of innovation and inspires the organization to continue innovating.