What graduates are saying...

Touby - Johns Hopkins University

Software Engineer, Neuro Sensors Product Development

• 2001 - Bachelors of Science from Johns Hopkins Univ. – Double Major: Biomedical Engineering (Computer Engineering Concentration) and Computer Science
• Currently working toward a Masters Degree in Computer Science at the University of Minnesota

Career Path within Medtronic

Started working on Firmware Verification Testing of the SynchroMed 2 implantable drug pump.  I was the person primarily responsible for the relevant tasks until their completion about 16 months after my arrival.  This allowed me to become intimately familiar with the markets most advanced implantable drug pump. The last several months of that period and for the months following I contributed to the design, development and testing of the software applications, built to run on a handheld physician device (the 8840), that are used to control and query SynchroMed 2 and other implantable drug pumps. 

As this was winding down, I began working on an implantable therapy for the treatment and monitoring of neurological disorders.  I have been doing this fascinating work in various forms for the past year and a half.  Over this time I have been a primary contributor to the design, development, and intellectual property of various aspects of this therapy.  I have worked closely with several of Medtronic’s technical fellows (leaders) on various efforts.  Perhaps my most significant contributions have been to the development and refinement of implantable event detection algorithms.  I have also created and tested implantable compression techniques, surveyed radio-frequency telemetry technologies, reviewed sensing technologies and algorithms, done detective work on issues with SynchroMed 2, and done some work and written IDEA invention disclosures on topics ranging from implantable sensing of glucose to natural language applications for predictive text-entry for medical instruments. 

I now spend the majority of my time on prototype development for software for neuro programmers and wireless peripherals.  In contrast to the embedded C and assembly code I use in my work on firmware, this work is primarily in java for a tablet-PC running windows XP tablet edition.

Why did you join Medtronic?

I believed that Medtronic would provide a system in which I could be rapidly recognized and supported for my talent.  Medtronic provides a culture, compensation, and environment I can thrive in.  It provides me with the human and material resources to both do my work, and expand and develop my experience and skill. 

Medtronic has a clear, stable, universal vision and direction that I can identify with.

It allows me to work on fascinating cutting edge material across disciplines while focusing on engineering systems to help people.

Medtronic is located near a major metropolitan area, and is the world-recognized leader in the medical device industry. It is pioneering therapies across not only cardiac or neurological applications but numerous other applications (diabetes, InFuse, surgical tools and navigation, etc).

Work life balance at Medtronic is excellent.

How is Medtronic differentiated from its competitors?

I think Medtronic has a greater breadth and accessibility of resources in the areas that I am interested in, and likely to become interested in, than any of its competitors.

Medtronic has developed both culture and infrastructure to allow for significant personal development and technical exposure.  Despite my lack of stature in the organization I have worked and interacted directly with some of the company’s (and some of the world’s) leaders in all things implantable.  Technical fellows and leaders like Jim Rienke (hardware, ECG), Eric Panken (algorithms development), and Nina Graves (pharmacology and therapy), Naim Istaphanous (material science), Chris Hobot (polymer chemistry), Lynn Otten (neurological leads), Rajiv Shah (glucose sensors) and Mark Rise (therapy research) are among those who I’ve spoken or worked with one on one over the past year.  Although my primary function is fairly limited in scope, I’ve also had the opportunity to gain exposure to intellectual property experts, physicians, surgeons and other clinical experts, and the broad range of fascinating people Medtronic attracts ranging from Nobel prize winner Dr. Peter Agre to NPR’s “Science Friday” host Ira Flatow.

At both the corporate and individual level, Medtronic seems to possess a well defined sense of purpose beyond its financial responsibilities that many of its competitors simply can’t offer.

What does Medtronic have to offer to new college graduates?

All the benefits of a large research driven company which wants to position itself to attract, retain and develop the most promising talent coming out of the nations top biomedical engineering programs.

Medtronic can provide an opportunity for personal development on the job, through corporate events and forums, and through reimbursement and work-flexibility to allow use of various external programs including graduate work (like the masters degree I am about halfway through at the University of Minnesota).

The Company provides a comfortable, accepting environment with a diverse workforce including intelligent people of all types.

Medtronic has created the opportunity for achievement in the form of contributions to live-saving and life-enhancing products and technologies as well as other forms.  These include publication, recognition for intellectual property, and merit-based compensation.

Medtronic provides a high level of both social and technical freedom, access to the leadership, and an opportunity to develop leadership and networking skills.

What are your other interests?

I’m a member of the Emergency Response Team, the technical forum, a graduate student, and an avid movie watcher.  I am not terribly skilled, but I enjoy technical climbing a great deal.  I have enjoyed exploring the twin cities restaurants, parks, and other resources.  As far as technical interested not yet integrated with my work life, I am interested in agent-based systems and some other areas of artificial intelligence.  I have been courting a wonderful young woman and will probably be engaged by the time this is published (though I never would have expected that when I first moved here).