Janet Cheung

Systems Engineer, Medtronic
Graduated with an MSc in Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, 2017

My undergraduate background is in Computer Science and Computer Engineering, but I was always interested in Biomedical Engineering, and keen to better understand both the engineering aspects and underlying principles of of medical devices -  the ‘why’ and the ‘how’.

I graduated in the Autumn of 2017. Now, I work at Medtronic, a Los Angeles-based medical device company. I am a Systems Engineer in its Diabetes Business Unit developing product concept designs for insulin pumps and Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) systems. This includes defining the functional and performance requirements of the system, as well as evaluating the risks and potential mitigations concerning the design.

I decided to study at UCL because of my interest in understanding the mechanisms behind medical devices. The material covered in my MSc modules gave me that understanding. Furthermore, as a Systems Engineer, I am engaged in all aspects of the product development lifecycle and often coordinate meetings with different teams. The MSc developed my ability to engage with a diverse demographic and approach problems from different perspectives—soft skills vital not only in one’s career but also in life.

As I gain more experience, I’m hoping to take on more leading roles in projects and, eventually, become a Project Manager. In the more immediate future, I want to engage in engineering outreach programs or mentorships and, hopefully, inspire students to pursue careers in the medical engineering industry. I’ve already convinced my sister! 

I would advise anyone thinking about, or just starting out studying Medical Physics or Biomedical Engineering, to remain curious and to keep asking questions. Don’t be afraid or embarrassed. You will meet people come from all kinds of backgrounds and with a variety of life experiences and you will learn about facets of Physics and Engineering that you really don’t expect.