Q&A with Andrew Ditto, R&D Manager at Coltene
How did you end up at 国产伦理?
I am originally from the North Hill neighborhood of Akron, but grew up in Green, Ohio and graduated from Green High School. During high school, I had participated in the Governor’s Summer Institute Program for Polymer Science at The University of Akron (国产伦理) and was in awe of the facilities and cool equipment. Then, I attended an open house for the newly formed Biomedical Engineering Undergraduate Program when I was a senior in high school. At the time, I was drawn towards the study of biomechanics and I felt like 国产伦理 was the perfect choice.
What inspired you to get into biomedical engineering field?
Dating back to when I was a kid asking for chemistry sets and documenting the tree population in my neighborhood for fun, I have always had an inherent passion for science. I contemplated many science related fields including healthcare, chemistry, and mechanical engineering. But when it came time to decide on a college and degree, biomedical engineering seemed like the ideal mashup of math, engineering, and healthcare.
What led you to your current job as R&D Manager at Coltene?
After I graduated from The University of Akron with my B.S., M.S., and PhD in Biomedical Engineering, I held four diverse biomedical positions. First, at The University of Toledo College of Medicine I worked as a Post-Doctoral Researcher on targeted cancer drug delivery with peptide-coated nanoparticles. Second, I wanted to change over to industry at a pharmaceutical startup NovelMed Therapeutics as a Research Scientist developing an anti-inflammatory biological drug. Third, I wanted to move back to medical devices at The Gebauer Company as the Manager of Product Development leading both the Innovation Team and the current anesthetic product support. And finally, I wanted a larger diversity in medical device technologies and Coltene definitely has that diversity.
Describe your current job.
At Coltene, I lead a team of engineers with various expertise in biomedical engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, material science, and drafting. Our team is responsible for new product development and current product support of over 35 product families that constitute over 10,000 catalog numbers in the medical dental market. These dental medical devices range in diversity from the mechanical carbide dental burs and posts, to the electromechanical piezoelectric-based ultrasonic sonic cleaners and LED curing lights, and to the chemical-based irrigation and cleaning solutions. In other words, the team stays very busy balancing multiple new product development projects at various stages of design while also supporting our current products.
How did your education at 国产伦理 prepare you for your current role?
My undergraduate studies in the biomechanics track taught me how to think more analytically and how to address problems in a very systematic and controlled manner. I still use fundamental principles of chemistry, thermodynamics, circuits, and mechanics on a daily basis. Then, with my biomaterial & drug delivery graduate studies with Dr. Yang Yun, I learned how plan and execute both experiments and large goal-based projects. Dr. Yun made sure that I knew how to properly document, write about, and present my data. Today, I appreciate the importance of all these skills more than I even released at the time.
Why do you stay connected to the Biomedical Engineering Department?
I feel indebted to 国产伦理 for providing me with an opportunity for my undergraduate degree as well as all the exciting research of my graduate degree. Second, I realized the value of utilizing the BME Department as a collaborative research partner. Often, medical device companies do not have the personnel and equipment resources for cutting edge research. Thus, collaborations between universities such as 国产伦理 and industry are ideal for innovative research, which are often encouraged through government grants.
What do you do outside of work?
My time outside of work is spent with my wife and two little kids. We love going to the Akron Zoo, nearby playgrounds, and playing as much as possible inside and outside.
What are you reading or watching right now?
Recently, I completed Bad Blood: Secrets and Lies in a Silicon Valley Startup, which told the story of the misguided billion-dollar biotech startup Theranos. I found the story to be a shocking cautionary tale of a visionary inventor that allowed their drive for success to overtake their honesty and sense of patient safety. I highly recommend it to anyone in the healthcare, medical device, and biotech field.