Alumni Spotlight: Simmy Sidhu, M.Eng. 2018

Simmy Sidhu

Hometown: Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada
BME Degree (Year Graduated): M.Eng. (May 2018)

Why Cornell?
Cornell University is a reputable ivy league school that has appealing research areas within the Master of Engineering in Biomedical Engineering program taught by respectable professors. The community at Cornell University was inclusive and diverse, with knowledgeable students from all around the world with different backgrounds and industry experience.

Why biomedical engineering?
Through research and personal experience, I have learned that there are many gaps within the healthcare industry, and I wanted to address global healthcare issues to improve the quality of life for patients.

What have you been up to since graduating?
From the core biomedical engineering courses, I have been working for Baxter on the global engineering and operations team as an engineer and global instructor that applies a statistical tool called multivariate data analysis to optimize processes for medical device manufacturing machines around the world to eliminate any potential harm to patients using the products. I have also applied knowledge gathered through business electives from Cornell University to work on my own start-up project called RicSim Beverages Incorporated.

How did your Cornell degree prepare you for what you are doing now?
The M.Eng. design project allowed collaboration among team members and a lead surgeon from New York-Presbyterian Hospital to enhance problem solving skills for unmet clinical needs. Entrepreneurship for Scientists and Engineers and Electronic Commerce were electives that provided skills that were directly transferable to my start-up.

Favorite Cornell experience or memory? (Classes, faculty, activities, etc.)
One of my favorite experiences at Cornell University was travelling to Guthrie Robert Packer Hospital in Pennsylvania weekly to shadow a surgeon and provide insight into potential process and equipment improvements.

What advice might you give to CornellBME students considering a similar path to yours?
Leverage as many resources as possible while at Cornell University, such as applying previous research concepts conducted by students to prevent the need to reinvent the wheel, and gather advice from alumni students and professors.

Favorite quote that helps inspire you in your work/life?
“Reconsider your definitions. We are prone to judge success by the index of our salaries or the size of our automobiles rather than by the quality of our service and relationship to mankind.” - Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

More info: 

More Spotlights