Biomedical Engineer Interview

Biomedical Engineering not only blends mathematical/ electrical /electronics / computer subjects with biology but also forms a connection between doctors and engineers !

Sruthi Rajan, our next pathbreaker, has been a Product Specialist & Research Engineer in the field of medical devices.

Sruthi talks to Shyam Krishnamurthy from The Interview Portal about always wanting to study human anatomy and pathology, but from an engineering perspective !

For students, there is a lot of scope for innovation in the next generation of medical technologies as long as you are prepared to work across disciplines !

Sruthi, Your background?

My father is an engineer and mother, a teacher. I was raised and schooled in Bangalore. I took interest in taking part in extracurricular activities like sports and dance. I was also an NCC cadet during my school days. Biology was one of my favorite subjects. However, in Biology I had specific interests. I loved studying human anatomy, pathology, etc. more than anything else. I was interested in learning what a doctor would learn but wasn’t really keen on becoming a doctor.

What did you do for graduation/post-graduation?

I did my graduation in Biomedical Engineering from Bapuji Institute of Engineering and Technology in Davanagere (about 250 km from Bangalore). The first 2 years included subjects related to computers, electronics and electrical engineering with no Biology subjects at all. This made me doubt my choice and that is when the third year came with subjects like Human Anatomy, Clinical science, Biomedical Instrumentation, etc. and I was relieved and glad. 

Soon after my engineering, I went to Kuwait for a short period of time before I could proceed to pursue my Masters. I had applied for Masters in Medical Software from Manipal University. However, since I was in Kuwait, I looked for opportunities in my field of study and happened to land a job in one of the top Medical Device Companies as a Product Specialist. This job gave me a lot of practical knowledge and also exposure on Medical Devices. I completed my post-graduation (Biomedical Engineering) in the year 2018 from Central Lille (France).

What made you choose such an offbeat, unusual and uncommon career?

As mentioned earlier, one of the main reasons I was inclined towards this subject was my interest in the Human body, and its workings. Another important reason was my parents. Though I had initially convinced myself to join Biotechnology after my 12^th std, it was because of them that I looked into other possible choices and happened to come across Biomedical Engineering. Once I got into this field of study, I understood the difference between Biotechnology and Biomedical Engineering. This is another reason why I am glad I got into the latter. 

How did you plan the steps to get into the career you wanted? Or how did you make a transition to a new career? Tell us about your career path

During the final year of my engineering, my friends and I (from the same class) applied for Masters in Medical Software in Manipal University. A couple of our seniors had taken up this programme and had secured good jobs at great companies. Thus, we thought this would be a great path for us to take. However, I was a little skeptical about it because of the name “Software” in it. I was never interested in software or programming. Though the name “Medical Software” did scare me a little, I knew that I would do it if I had to. However, during the break after engineering, I went to Kuwait to be with my parents for a while and they convinced me to stay a little longer and join the Master’s program the following year.

Meanwhile, I applied for the role of “Product Specialist” in one of the top medical device distributors in Kuwait. I was called in for the first interview by the Sales Representative. I was asked to study a few patient monitors and come prepared in case I was called again. I noted them down and studied them. I was called again for a second interview with the Department Manager and the Managing Director. I got selected and was asked to join soon. I was the youngest and also the first lady employed in that department. It was after me that more ladies joined and I had company. 

As a Product Specialist, I had to know everything about medical devices entrusted to me. My job mainly was to train the medical staff including the doctors and nurses on the right usage of the medical equipment. I also conducted presentations for doctors giving them an insight of the importance of using our patient monitors. Assisting them in using our devices on the patients in ORs/OTs, ICUs and other departments was also a part of my job.

Since our company distributed Medical devices in hospitals all over Kuwait, I had an opportunity to visit various hospitals all over the country. Also, our company started a branch in UAE because of which I also got an opportunity to go to hospitals in UAE for the same. I loved what I was doing, and travelling was a part of my job. I got a chance to attend Arab Health, a Medical Device Expo in Dubai, and a training in Switzerland during my tenure in this Company.

It was when I got married that I had to resign and come back to India. After a long gap of 3 years, I decided to do my Post Graduation in Biomedical Engineering, but this time I had a baby and I wanted him with me where ever I was. I got admitted in one of the Best schools in France for Masters in Biomedical Engineering. I left with my 2 year old son to a foreign land speaking a foreign language which was totally new to us. People there wouldn’t speak English and so I had a tough time until I gradually picked up the language. It was a very difficult journey for both of us, my son and I. Thankfully, and with all the blessings bestowed upon me, I did my best in my Masters and I got selected in the same school for Internship. After the completion of Internship, I was offered the role of Research Engineer too. 

How did you get your first break?

As I was in Kuwait, I looked online for Medical Equipment Companies in Kuwait and came across Al-essa Medical and Scientific Equipment Co. I applied for a job there and I got my very first job.

My very first job in Al- Essa Medical & Scientific Equipment Company as a Product Specialist allowed me to handle a variety of medical devices like Consciousness Level monitor, PCO2 monitors, nebulizers and various other patient monitors. 

What were some of the challenges you faced? How did you address them?

Challenge1: During my engineering, I expected more of Biology related subjects, but to my dismay during the first 2 years, I had everything else other than Biology. I faced a lot of trouble trying to understand certain subjects because even the teachers weren’t good enough. However, I worked hard and made sure I cleared all the subjects with the help of some friends and teachers.

Challenge 2: When I reached France for my post-graduation with my son, it was very difficult for both of us because my son was too young. He would stay only with me. New people and the new language made it even more difficult. He wouldn’t want to stay in his day care and he would wake up crying almost every night for no reason and sleep later. 

I used to leave my son at his day care/ school in the morning at 7:30 because my classes would start at 8 AM. I would pick him up by 6 PM. Thus, I made sure that all the time I had at home, I would spend it with him and would do my assignments and studies only after he was put to bed. My routine after getting back home was cooking dinner, feeding him and playing with him till his bed time. Once he was asleep, I would start with my college work and continue till late night and just when I would get to bed, he would wake up crying. 

There have also been instances where I had to take my son along with me to attend an exam (with my professor’s permission) because he was ill and I couldn’t send him to his daycare. 

Though we both struggled a lot, we both managed to do well and stayed strong till we achieved what we were there for.

Challenge 3:  I graduated in the year 2008 and I proceeded to pursue my Masters in 2016, i.e. after a huge gap of 8 years which was yet another big challenge for me. I worked for 5 years and then took a break for 3 years due to marriage and pregnancy. Returning back to studies and trying to recollect everything studied at school and college was a big task. I worked hard and took help from my excellent teachers at school to understand difficult subjects. I can’t thank them enough for being patient with me and teaching me the same thing several times only to make me understand. 

Where do you work now? 

The time I returned to India was when COVID began. I did not go looking for a job at that time. Instead, I supported my family ecommerce business. I took care of digital marketing and other work related to the ecommerce business. However, I still kept in touch with biomedical subjects and would research the latest developments in the Medical Industry from time to time. I decided to start a web page in order to share my knowledge to other biomedical related people and hence started a webpage www.biomedezy.com where I intend to share the news and knowledge I gather. 

From the experience I gained as a Product Specialist and Research engineer in Kuwait, I am sure to be able to impart my knowledge in these fields to every aspiring Biomedical Engineer. I have worked with various medical devices which has developed an interest in me to learn and find new innovative medical devices in the world. Hence, I intend to introduce people to these medical devices and give more information regarding them. Also, my knowledge about European Medical device regulations and the research side of medical devices can help me  guide people by giving a basic knowledge about the Rules and Regulations in the Medical device industry.

I do a lot of research and have been making notes of all that I learn. I also attend online courses related to my topics of interest. I also have been attending Medical Expo in Bangalore to see new innovations in Medical field. 

My day usually begins with early morning walks or swimming. During the first half of the day, I work on our family ecommerce business. It is usually in the afternoons that I work on topics for my Biomedezy webpage.

How does your work benefit society? 

Even though school and college teach you the subjects, there are certain things that you learn by yourself as you research various topics. It takes time to find out the information and gather it all. Hence, I intend to make it a little easier for biomedical students to learn about new medical devices and their regulations, all at one place.

Tell us an example of a specific memorable work you did that is very close to you!

When I was working in Kuwait, I was invited by another company in Dubai to assist them in one of their workshops which was being conducted for doctors. They wanted to use one of the devices handled by me during the workshop on their sample and needed assistance with the same.

Your advice to students based on your experience?

Biomedical Engineering is a field that forms a bond between the Doctors and Engineers. It is essential for us to know Medical and Engineering terms equally in order to communicate and understand our subjects well. This also means that you have to be prepared to learn mathematical/ electrical /electronics / computer subjects apart from the medical and biological subjects during your course. However, this should not discourage you because, once you finish your education, you can choose your nature of job depending on your interest. 

Future Plans?

Currently I am planning to start off my social media pages for Biomedezy and share my knowledge there. I already have started an Instagram page “biomedezy” but haven’t started sharing anything as of yet but yes, it will be happening very soon.