Leading Women in Engineering & Science: Ekaterina Tkatchouk, Principal Engineer, Edwards Lifesciences

What led you to choose science and/or engineering as a career, particularly in the medical device industry?

Tkatchouk: My high school chemistry teacher was amazing and made me believe that I could create any molecule I want if I study and work hard in the lab, so I did. I became very passionate about creating new material/chemical that could one day solve existing problems or make human lives easier. In order to achieve that goal, I needed an engineering degree; therefore, I got my masters in material science and engineering.

Pretty fast, I realized that polymeric materials were taking over the world, so I decided to pursue a PhD in polymeric materials. Biomaterials were the most interesting and challenging to me, and I was determined to create a new hydrogel that would completely restore human skin after any injury. During my postdoc, I consulted couple of medical devices startups, which gave me an opportunity to understand industry’s needs. The medical device industry was creating many innovative technologies, and I wanted to be part of the process, so I never stopped applying for a job in medical industry.

What has been your most rewarding moment/accomplishment as an engineer/scientist in the medical industry?

Tkatchouk: Meeting people who are currently using the device I worked on and seeing how it changed their lives.

What advice would you give to other women looking to work in biomedical engineering and science?

Tkatchouk: Be curious, be patient and persevere. The medical industry is highly regulated, and so there is a lot of responsibility on your shoulders when it comes to designing a medical device. Keep in mind that anything you do might impact someone’s life.

More Interviews in our "Leading Women in Engineering & Science" Series:

• Tracy Campbell Accardi, Vice President, Surgical Robotics Research & Development, Medtronic
• Anne F. Booth, Owner/President, Booth Scientific Sterilization and Quality System Professionals
• Ulkuhan Guler, Assistant Professor, Worcester Polytechnic Institute
• Robyn Meurant, Executive Director, Regulatory Services, IVDs and Medical Devices, NSF International
• Ekaterina Tkatchouk, Principal Engineer, Edwards Lifesciences
• Maryam Zahabi, Assistant Professor of Industrial and Systems Engineering, Texas A&M University

More Profiles in our "Leading Women in Engineering & Science" Series:

• Dr. Annette Teng, CEO; Lisa Wen, Process Engineer; Promex
• Dawn F. Massa Stancavish, Chief Innovation Officer & COO; Massa Products Corporation
• Sarah Charette, Product Manager; The Lee Company
• Katie Farley, Kim Jackson, Sue Marchant, Patricia Santos-Serrao & Erin Wright; MasterControl
• Winnie Yu, PhD, Senior Director of Medical Innovation; Flex - Health Solutions
• Yolita Wildman Nugent, Director, Advanced Soft Systems Integration; Flex - Health Solutions
• Mahsa Nakhjiri, Senior Director of Technical Product Management; Flex - Health Solutions
• Kristin Edgerton, Lead Project Engineer; Scientific Products Group
• Jenica Kolhoff, Nitinol, Applications Engineer

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