One of the foundational goals of Fogarty Innovation is to nurture the next generation of medtech innovators, which is achieved through transformative initiatives such as the Lefteroff Internship program. This program is tailored to deeply engage students in the multi-faceted world of medical technology, providing them with hands-on experience, professional development and crucial insights into the industry.
Each summer, FI hosts a cohort of students from across the U.S. and introduces them to the extraordinary world of medical technology. Our eight-week program gives students the opportunity to work on projects with our startups and partners, learn from the best through our mentorship program and shadow industry experts who offer guidance on potential career paths. From engaging with innovative companies to exploring the practicalities of the medtech landscape, the experience deepens their understanding of the healthcare industry and helps them build a network of contacts who can help shape their future career decisions.
Similar to past years, the 2024 cohort of interns was truly impressive. “This has been another outstanding year for our internship program,” said Gretchen Berstler, who has been managing the program since its inception. “We had a very talented group of interns, and we are extremely grateful to our many partners, companies and industry professionals who dedicated their time to ensure the program’s success. Their contributions have provided the students with meaningful takeaways that will benefit them throughout their careers.”
Interns took courses on topics like business communication, commercialization, clinical evidence and product development and intellectual property. They heard from many guest speakers including Christopher Shen, a partner at Novo Holdings with over 20 years of experience in medical device design and innovation; Brian Fahey, a Fogarty alumni and CEO of Adona Medical; and Brandon Pannier, another Fogarty alumni and clinical optimization specialist at Flosonics Medical. The cohort attended workshops, went on field trips and participated in a variety of social activities to learn and bond as a class.
A few of the interns shared additional details about their experience here:
Summer Royal, Stanford University
Royal spent her internship with Melio, which is working to create faster ways to diagnose bloodborne infections. Her work was focused on bioinformatics projects involving coding in Python, an ideal role that mirrored her dual studies in biomedical computation and computer science. “I had to have biology knowledge to understand what I needed to replicate when I was simulating biological phenomena, and I was able to apply my computer science skills at the same time. It was a perfect combination,” said Royal.
Royal appreciated the planned social events and outings, which helped the group form lasting connections. “When you have a large group from different backgrounds it can be hard to connect in a short amount of time,” she said. “Fogarty created time for us to get to know each other outside of the workplace, and it resulted in better productivity and more enjoyment around coming to work every day.” Her favorite activities were visiting board member Fred St. Goar, MD’s home for a pool party, and attending a dinner hosted by Fogarty CEO Andrew Cleeland, where he shared insights from his career.
Emily Harvie, San Jose State University
Harvie joined Selera Medical, which aims to treat fluid overload in heart failure patients. Harvie spent her time delving into research and development for cardiovascular devices. Her projects ranged from researching implant coverings and coatings to working with benchtop models and developing a cath lab setup. As a biomedical engineering major, Harvie said she doesn’t have a lot of exposure to business classes, and valued the classes offered as part of the program. “It was really insightful and interesting. Before this internship I didn’t know anything about venture capital, IP or patents, but the medtech field is a big ecosystem and as an engineer it’s vital to understand the business side,” she said.
Another standout experience was the exposure to the operating room, which allowed her to observe the impact of medtech innovations firsthand. “Seeing devices in action and how they make procedures more effective was incredible,” she reflected.
Alyssa Espinal, UC Berkeley
Espinal worked with Novocuff, which is dedicated to improving pregnancy outcomes and reducing the risk of preterm birth. Her role involved conducting literature review to create a compendium of preclinical trials related to premature preterm rupture of membranes (PPROM). Her background in psychology and clinical research gave her a unique perspective.
A highlight for her was the operating room experience. “It definitely helped solidify that this is exactly what I want to do,” she said. Working closely with the Novocuff team allowed her to see the impact they’re making and inspired her to pursue innovation as well as working towards becoming a physician. It also helped her appreciate the value of mentorship. “The work culture here is very open, and the team was more than willing to share their wisdom,” she said. “Questions were encouraged and that created the foundation for authentic and genuine relationships. It definitely reshaped my view of corporate culture.”
Pranav Tirumalai, Studying Biomedical Engineering and Computer Science at UC Davis
Tirumalai worked with Enspectra Health, a health tech company pioneering the virtual biopsy to transform the way physicians evaluate a broad spectrum of skin conditions. Tirumalai’s work was focused on labeling and analyzing a set of more than 2000 skin images. He helped identify and test software solutions to help in this endeavor.
His favorite aspect of the internship was meeting with Fogarty Innovation team members and other industry professionals for mentoring sessions with industry professionals. “Being able to talk to multiple people that have been in the industry and are familiar with so many different aspects was invaluable,” said Tirumalai. “I enjoyed the educational sessions too, but the one-on-one meetings provided a more personal experience that allowed me to learn from successful individuals and understand their career paths.”
The internship also helped him overcome his hesitation about reaching out to industry professionals. “Learning the value of networking and building confidence through these interactions has been a significant takeaway for me,” he said.
As the Lefteroff Internship program wrapped up another year, the experiences and growth of these interns stands as a testament to the program’s success. “We look forward to the interns’ continuing involvement with Fogarty Innovation and our companies, and we are confident that these talented individuals will have a meaningful impact on the future of medtech innovation,” said Fogarty CEO Andrew Cleeland.