Flagstaff, Arizona, United States
I'm a materials engineer focused on new product exploration as technical team member at W.L. Gore's Innovation Center in Santa Clara, CA. My focus is researching and developing new technologies for digital health applications employed both inside and outside of the body. Leveraging my expertise in polymer science/plastics processing with deep knowledge of Gore's material capabilities I'm searching for innovative ways to address materials challenges in emerging digital health technology. Utilizing the Gore Innovation Center Lab, I collaborate with Gore's internal materials experts and external technology developers to integrate and test Gore materials solutions. Iterating on integration techniques and designing experimentation around materials properties when building and testing prototypes allows me to generate an understanding of the critical parameters impacting device performance. I spent 8 years in Gore's Core Technology division engaged in process engineer & new product development with primary expertise in the manufacturing of fluoropolymer based thin film composite. I've spent the majority of my career there leading process development and validation projects to commercialize new materials products supplying class III implantable medical devices. I regularly practiced statistical process control, statistical experimental design, and data analysis. I've been closely involved in analytical characterization of these products to identify, optimize, and control significant process parameters, targeting improvements in process stability and capability. Core competencies: Statistical Process Control | Process Development | Statistical DOE | Design for Manufacturing | Project Management | SolidWorks Design | Material Science | Analytical Characterization | Data Management
Primarily focused on process development and product qualification (PDPQ) for a variety of flouropolymer based thin film products. This includes designing and validating processes (POQ & PQ) to bring developmental materials into commercial manufacturing supply within FDA regulated applications. Additionally positioned as technical support for commercial manufacturing. This includes monitoring product quality and yields through statistical process control and material-process modeling to quantify routine variation and identifying exceptional variation. Championed both equipment and process focused continuous improvement projects. These focused on fundamental understanding the equipment-process-material interactions to increase equipment reliability, reduce operator bias, and minimize process variability.
Innovation Team member leveraging a collaborative prototyping lab space located in Silicon Valley with a focus on identifying and developing new technologies enabled by advanced, engineered materials to improve performance of digital health devices.
Developed injection mold processes for a thermoplastic elastomer material (Carbothane) to produce catheter hubs. Then tested and analyzed the catheter hub ultimate yield strength in process validations. Designed and drafted drawings for equipment to aid in injection mold manufacturing and designed fixtures for catheter quality control testing using SolidWorks CAD software. Collaborated with engineering team to design and build R&D manufacturing equipment used in a new dialysis catheter product development. Operated radio-frequency (RF) forming to develop a process for shaping tapered catheter components.