Brandon Eklund, ‘15
Why did you choose to come to UMR? I saw UMR as a unique opportunity to be a part of a new style of learning using technology and research. This new style of learning, while being paired with small class sizes and a focus on science, built the foundation for my future career. Being in the third graduating class of UMR, I was able to grow within and alongside UMR as it evolved and found its footing.
What did your Capstone experience involve? My Capstone was an accumulation of courses and experiences. My Capstone began with a summer semester abroad in Copenhagen, Denmark. While abroad I studied human health and disease while also analyzing different healthcare models around Europe and the United States. During this time I was also able to compare the proficiency of these separate healthcare models. My Capstone continued with taking upper level courses in Physical Chemistry, Neurology and Microbiology. The summation of my Capstone was to use these experiences and courses and apply them in a way to set a foundation for my future career.
How did your Capstone experience prepare you for your future in what you’re currently doing? My Capstone worked well in exposing me to health care systems, along with giving me excellent knowledge within my current field of work. Prior to working at Abbott Laboratories, I worked in the hospital assisting in cardiac ablations and procedures that attempted to mitigate cells that were not functioning on a microscopic level. Knowing the action potential of the cardiac cells was vital in understanding how different cardiac arrhythmias occurred (thanks Dr. Dunbar). Learning and seeing how health care centers work with physicians, support staff, medical device companies, and so on, has helped provide me with a more comprehensive understanding of how vital each component is to a fully functioning health care system.
Is there a certain instructor that greatly impacted your time at UMR? I had many great relationships with both teaching and nonteaching faculty members that impacted me greatly, especially being one of the go to IT student workers. But particularly, I'd like to mention both Xavier and Dr. Dunbar. I was able to take A&P, Neurology, and several semesters of research with Dr. Dunbar. In particular, a brutally honest final Neurology presentation critique from Dr. Dunbar sticks out and gave the class a pretty good laugh. For Xavier, I'm sure he saw more of me than he ever wanted to, being in his Gen Chem 1 and 2, Biochem, and P. Chem courses along with 2 semesters of research and several semesters as a TA. Both Xavier and Dr. Dunbar helped me not only academically, but personally as well and I appreciate the time I was able to learn and work alongside them.
What are you currently doing? After four years of working in the Electrophysiology (EP) Lab at Abbott Northwestern Hospital, I transitioned to the medical device industry of EP with Abbott Laboratories. I support the hardware and software of Abbott's Ensite suite of cardiac mapping products used in EP labs across the world for treatment of cardiac arrhythmias. As a team, we assist with R&D of new products and with clinical representatives out in the field assisting in procedures. I plan on continuing to move into more software development with medical devices.