Transition in Industry at IUS 2023
Contributed by: Holly Lay, Maryam (Nasim) Basij IEEE UFFC-Industry Engagement Committee
On Tuesday, September 5, 2023, at 18:00-19:00 Eastern Standard Time, the 2023 International Ultrasonics Symposium played host to a significant event - the Transition in Industry panel discussion. This session was designed to provide valuable insights to students, young professionals, and seasoned experts who are embarking on or considering a journey into the dynamic world of industry. We were honored to welcome four distinguished panelists with diverse backgrounds and expertise: Dr. Lauren Wirtzfeld, Dr. Rob Adamson, Dr. Claire Thring, and Mr. Flipe Roa. These accomplished individuals shared their personal experiences and strategies for success as they successfully navigated the transitions within the industry. We are deeply appreciative of their time and willingness to impart their wisdom. You can find their backgrounds here:
- Dr. Lauren Wirtzfeld earned her B.A.Sc. degree in Engineering Science, Biomedical Engineering option, in 2003 from the University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada, and her Ph.D. degree in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Western Ontario in 2008. Dr. Wirtzfeld was a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign from 2009 to 2011 and at Toronto Metropolitan University in Toronto from 2011-2016. Currently, Dr. Wirtzfeld is a Senior Ultrasound Research
- Dr. Claire Thring has a first degree in Physics and a PhD specialising in Electromagnetic Acoustic Transducers from the University of Warwick. She then held a post-doc at the University of Glasgow investigating the manipulation and imaging of magnetic microbubbles for cancer staging. She then transitioned to industry, working at Novosound, which specialises in thin film ultrasound sensors for the last four years. Initially she developed and launched a high temperature wall thickness monitor, and then rose to lead the Application Specialist Team at Novosound researching and developing bespoke thin film ultrasound probes.
- Dr. Rob Adamson is a co-founder and CTO of Daxsonics Ultrasound, an ultrasound engineering consulting firm based in Halifax, Canada. Since the company was founded during Adamson’s PhD, Daxsonics has grown to 30 employees and a worldwide client base spanning diagnostics, therapeutics, industrial and automotive applications.
- Felipe Roa is currently a PhD candidate at the University of Toronto under the supervision of Dr. Christine Demore. He has bachelor's degrees in physics and mechanical engineering from The Andes University in Colombia and the Illinois Institute of Technology. He has industry experience in the medical device, energy, manufacturing, and automation industries. His research interests include high-frequency transducer design, development, and fabrication.
Approximately 100 individuals participated in the event, making it a vibrant gathering of minds. Attendees were treated to refreshments and drinks as they engaged in enriching discussions. The event was skillfully moderated by Dr. Holly Lay, who introduced the panelists and posed thought-provoking questions about their industry experiences. The discussions ranged from the differences between academia and industry to the unique challenges faced during these transitions.
The event received overwhelmingly positive feedback from both panelists and attendees. In a post-event survey, all respondents expressed their desire to see similar events at future IUS conferences. One participant commented, "It was useful to check what I'm doing correctly and where I can have a different perspective."
We extend our heartfelt thanks to all who attended or contributed to the success of the IUS 2023 Transition in Industry event. We are excited to announce that more captivating industry events are on the horizon, so stay tuned for updates on IEEE IUS 2024.Your support and engagement make these events possible, and we are committed to providing valuable resources and networking opportunities to further your career in the field of ultrasonics.