Beyond the Bench: Career Pathways for Biomedical Engineers Outside the Lab

Wednesday, February 11, 2026

2:30 PM-4:00 PM

BIOMED Seminar

Title:
Beyond the Bench: Career Pathways for Biomedical Engineers Outside the Lab

Speaker:
Kelly Zaccheo, PhD
Manager
Account and Market Development
Rockland Immunochemicals, Inc.

Details:
Many biomedical engineers assume that impact happens only at the bench. In reality, their analytical mindset, systems thinking, and communication skills are in high demand across the business, regulatory, and policy landscape. This seminar maps common non lab career tracks—including project management, product management, lab operations, sales/BD, consulting, government/regulatory, and intellectual property/patent law—and demonstrates how core research skills translate to each. 

This seminar highlights day in the life examples, typical qualifications, and practical entry points, such as networking, portfolio development, and targeted certifications. Through examples drawn from professional paths within business units and from the experiences of peers across industry and policy, attendees will gain practical tools, language to articulate their strengths, and a clear set of next steps for exploring careers beyond the lab.

Biosketch:
Kelly Zaccheo, PhD, recently earned her doctorate in Biomedical Engineering from Drexel University’s School of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Health Systems. In Dr. Ken Barbee’s laboratory, Dr. Zaccheo's research examined how membrane biophysical properties and cholesterol modulate calcium signaling in the nitric oxide (NO) pathway in endothelial cells. Her work included collaborations with the Laboratory for Fluorescence Dynamics (UC Irvine) and with Drexel University's Department of Chemical Engineering and Department of Chemistry.

Dr. Zaccheo's current title is Manager, Account & Market Development at Rockland Immunochemicals, Inc., having first joined the company in Product and Market Development. Active in Philadelphia’s life sciences ecosystem, she engages in networking, mentoring, and community events that bridge science and business. Previously, Dr. Zaccheo studied Biomathematics and Philosophy at the University of Scranton and completed a Mathematics certificate at Smith College. Prior to graduate school, she interned in Baseball Operations with the New York Mets Major League Baseball team.

Contact Information

Carolyn Riley
cr63@drexel.edu