October 02, 2009

Contact: Amy Hewes
Cal Poly Engineering
805-756-6402
ahewes@calpoly.edu

Meditec Connects

Meditec is one reason Cal Poly's Biomedical Engineering (BMED) is such a "hot" major. The consortium connects BMED students with projects generated by top biomedical companies. As a result, students might find themselves researching new product concepts, developing surgical tools or improving the process of device manufacturing.

Meditec partners include Edwards Lifesciences, St. Jude Medical, Advanced Bionics and Abbott Vascular, each of which has donated $50,000 for the privilege of submitting project abstracts. BMED professors pair the projects with students according to students' interests and skill sets.

Dr. Kristen Cardinal, BMED professor and Meditec advisor, says that when students work for actual clients, they learn about the companies and how they operate in addition to having the chance to hone their technical skills. "Cal Poly students love projects," she states; "and to give students a project that's real and that a company needs right now, brings the experience to a whole other level."

All Meditec projects are proprietary and students are required to sign a non-disclosure agreements. "These agreements make it a good experience for students who want to go into the industry because it means they are sending us good projects," Cardinal says. Students are assisted by both a company technical advisor and a Cal Poly faculty advisor. Cardinal is the faculty contact for Edwards Lifesciences and Abbott Vascular, and Dr. Lily Laiho coordinates students working with St. Jude and Advanced Bionics.

Currently, Edwards Lifesciences projects focus on making the manufacture of heart valves more efficient and productive. Abbott Vascular, meanwhile, is interested in the research and development of new materials and new ways to make products for the cardiovascular system.

Although Meditec concentrates on the biomedical industry, the consortium welcomes students from all majors, and many of the projects require multidisciplinary teams. In addition, companies assign lower-division as well as senior and thesis projects.

Meditec models a win-win industry-academia relationship. Students apply the skills they are learning in the classroom to a real life situation, and they undertake cutting-edge applied research for industry leaders. What do the companies get out of the deal? Low-cost R&D and access to Cal Poly's considerable student brainpower and resources.

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