Fung Feature: Ricardo Juarez Martinez, MEng ’21 (BioE)
On his vision for innovation and inclusivity in the medical device space
Ricardo Juarez Martinez is a current MEng candidate studying Bioengineering with a focus on Biomaterials and Medical Device Design. He studied Mechanical Engineering at the University of Minnesota for his undergraduate degree and has also received an MS in Engineering Management from Tufts University. Ricardo is currently a Senior Catheter Manufacturing Engineer at Intuitive Surgical. Here, he shares about his current capstone project, professional goal to move into an R&D leadership role, and passion for continuous learning.
What do you study and why did you choose it?
I’m currently pursuing a Berkeley MEng degree in Bioengineering with a focus on Biomaterials and Medical Device Design. I chose this field in an effort to further build on my knowledge of the downstream end of medical device development. I hope to eventually utilize my combined technical and leadership skills in this field to reach my goal of being able to strategical apply engineering design with clinical knowledge to create impact in the field.
Can you tell us more about the BioTech/MedTech affinity group you are leading?
Our group’s purpose is to build a strong and interactive community of students who share a passion for the biotechnology and medical device space. We empower our members to network and share their experiences so that the group can serve all of our interests effectively. This is a safe space for members of the group to try, fail, align, and succeed.
What is your capstone project?
The capstone team I lead is currently developing a test method to characterize the electrical response of an electro-active polymer under external stimulation. The goal of the project is for our method to prove that our polymeric system can stimulate and potentially regenerate tissue. A long-term goal for this polymeric system is to be applied as a tissue-regenerating therapy, which has the potential of stopping the progression of degenerative diseases such as osteoarthritis.
What are your professional goals?
I hope to gain the skillsets and experience to build a leadership background in order to become a leader in research and development in the medical device industry. I’m particularly interested in innovating in the minimally invasive therapy space. This is a growingly important field, as it aims to reduce the burden on both patients and the healthcare system.
What are some of your non-academic hobbies/passions?
I really enjoy a wide range of outdoor activities like running and biking, but also like to decompress by reading, drawing, listening to music, and cooking. I’m passionate about doing various activities in order to challenge myself and apply divergent thinking from my hobbies to my everyday engineering life — and vice versa.
Can you share a favorite quote?
I have a few!
“Life’s most persistent and urgent question is — What are you doing for others?” — MLK
“Be like water, my friend” — Bruce Lee
“When you talk you are only repeating what you already know, but if you listen you may learn something new” — The 14th Dalai Lama
