Education

2007 ~ Present	M.S. in Mechanical Engineering (specialized in Manufacturing and Enterprise Engineering) University of Texas at San Antonio
2002 ~ 2006	B.S. in Mechanical Engineering (Business Foundations Certificate) University of Texas at Austin

Professional Experience

COASTAL LIFE TECHNOLOGIES, INC., San Antonio, TX -- 3/2007 to Present
Privately held medical device manufacturer specializing in single-use disposable surgical products and offering streamlined solutions from product engineering to warehousing and distribution.

Project Manager

Performed Value Stream Mapping on a 2-year startup project to analyze sources of waste and inadequacy. Outlined and implemented a Future State process that reduced cycle times from 24 to 5 days. Defined Key Performance Indicators (KPI) and designed a Performance Tracking Database to track orders and calculate KPI.

Streamlined medical component qualification process, resulting in a 50% increase in the inventory database. Created a virtual catalogue that allows external customers to see inventory levels on a daily basis. Developed a monthly Inventory Forecasting Tool to aid in purchasing and planning of samples and production orders.

Spearheaded company's first electronic Equipment Maintenance and Calibration Program. Updated preventative maintenance (PM) protocols and schedules for all existing and new manufacturing equipment. Responsible for the roll-out, training, and implementation of new PM software. Reduced equipment downtime and overall maintenance costs by transferring more activities in house and establishing min/max inventory levels for spare parts.

Supervision and training of two Engineering Technicians.

Performed Root Cause Analysis and gave presentations to customers regarding manufacturing quality issues.

 
KINETIC CONCEPTS, INC., -- 5/2006 to 3/2007
Publicly held $1.4 billion global medical technology company specializing in advanced wound care and therapeutic surface products.

Product Development Engineer

Project lead on an upgraded patient hand pendant control for new product lines. Responsible for all aspects of product development including initial concept, customer interviews, design, prototype development. Wrote verification and validation protocols. Supervised activities of drafters, test engineers, and metal fabrication technicians. Resulted in a failure reduction of 75% and a cost savings of $40K per year.

Supported quality improvement efforts for KCI products, including the design, verification and validation of an extension for a current product. Regularly performed Risk Analysis and Failure Modes & Effects Analysis (FMEA).

Coordinated and managed the efforts of a sub-contracted Industrial Design firm to enhance a product line. Responsible for communication of project scope, scheduling, proposal reviews, and presentations.


R&D Engineer

Design and testing of a bioreactor for cellular research. Worked with development team to create add-on, injection molded pneumatic apparatus for commercial cell culture labware. Provided key inputs in design and assembly protocol, resulting in a 5-fold increase in experiment throughput capacity.

Led engineering team of 4 ME’s in conceptualization, design, and construction of a novel dynamic pneumatic control system – achieving significant market advantage in cost and functionality over a state-of-the art commercially available design. Directed all phases of project, including financial analysis, design reports, meetings, and schedule. Reported progress weekly to principal investigators. Implemented new system into company’s laboratories and trained lab scientists on system operation. Pursued patenting and licensing opportunities.

 
STEADMAN-HAWKINS SPORTS MEDICINE FOUNDATION, Vail, CO -- 6/2004 to 8/2004
One of the largest, most productive and innovative, independent orthopaedic research institutes in the world, renowned for its research into the causes, prevention, and treatment of orthopaedic disorders.

Biomechanics Intern

Developed patient-specific, MRI-based 3D reconstructions of knee joint structures, and integrated models into a computer simulation of the leg performing various activities.

Provided clinical and technical evidence to orthopedic surgeons, describing a rare disease and its effect on knee mechanics. Presented results to the Biomechanics Research Department and hospital staff.

Projects

Currently: Independent Study on Lean Product and Process Development.

Fields of Interest

Medical Device R&D
Medical Device Manufacturing
Orthopaedic Biomechanics
Enterprise Process Engineering

Exposure to Computers

Programming Languages: C++, MatLAB 6.1, LabVIEW 8.0
Operating Systems: Windows XP, 2000, 98
Modeling Tools: SolidWorks, CosmosWorks, AutoCAD, Pro/E
Excel, Word, Microsoft Project, Adobe 6.0

Favorite Subjects

Probabilistic Methods
Statistics
Computational Biomechanics
Engineering Project Management
Industrial Engineering
Lean Manufacturing
Design Methodology
Engineering Economics
Microeconomics
Finance
Decision Analysis

Athletic Career

NCAA Women’s Track and Field, University of Texas, 2005-2006
Track & Field National Champions in 2005 and 2006
NCAA Cross Country, University of Texas, 2005-2006
Winner of age division in 2004 Motorola Marathon