Brian Oeffinger,
PhD Candidate
As an alumnus and current PhD student, I have firsthand experience benefiting from the diverse learning opportunities in BIOMED that have guaranteed my long-term success. I earned my BS and MS in BIOMED’s competitive and accelerated 5-year degree program. This involved my performing cutting-edge cancer research and having multiple, paid cooperative (co-op) education learning experiences in industry. My MS thesis focused on the design of a novel ultrasound agent that travels through the vasculature of tumors, attaches to cancer cells, and delivers potent chemotherapies, while my paid industrial co-op experiences were in medical device development and manufacturing (potential earnings over $45,000 for 18 months). This powerful combination of experience in research and medical device development greatly prepared me to be successful in my career in industry post-graduation.
After graduating, I was employed by DSM Biomedical due to my co-op experience at Stryker. As a biomedical engineer (salary range of $80,000 to $115,000), I designed novel biomaterial devices, including spine and knee replacements, and I actively teamed with clients, physicians, and caregivers to conduct benchtop testing and clinical studies with end-user recipients. These experiments were performed in collaboration with DePuy-Synthes using a spinal device initially developed here at Drexel. I also supervised and hired Drexel co-op students because of my knowledge of their excellent technical training.
I am now back at Drexel BIOMED pursuing my PhD, with the goal of improving the outcomes of traumatic spinal cord injury by deploying biomaterials in novel scaffolds and drug delivery constructs. This is a dream come true, and Drexel BIOMED will again afford me the opportunity to realize my future goals.
In Philadelphia, you will live in the 5th largest city in the US, with all of its history, culture, and diversity—only 90 minutes from New York City, 60 minutes from the Atlantic Ocean, and 2 hours from Washington, DC!
I am proud to call myself a Drexel Dragon. Remember that there is opportunity in our diversity, and diversity is our opportunity! I hope that this letter is helpful to you—Drexel BIOMED certainly has been an excellent choice for me over the years!
Brian Oeffinger, PhD Candidate
School of Biomedical Engineering,
Science and Health Systems
beo22@drexel.edu
Kacie Wheeler,
President - Drexel Biomed Undergraduate Association
Next June, I will graduate with my Bachelor’s of Science in Biomedical engineering with over 18 months of work experience through the co-op program.
I feel very blessed as I’ve been able to pay for my education almost debt free because of the co-op program! My co-ops have been in pharmaceutical manufacturing at GlaxoSmithKline, process development at Tmunity Therapeutics, and pre-clinical discovery and development at a Philly start-up, Aro Biotherapeutics. Drexel (along with my co-ops) have prepared me to take on a career in industry, graduate school, or medical school.
I’ve had the opportunity to gain leadership skills as the President of the Drexel Biomed Undergraduate Association. I’m thankful for the time I’ve had at BIOMED and at Drexel and I’m looking forward to another amazing year of learning and growth.
Sincerely,
Kacie Wheeler (BIOMED ‘23)