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Steph Rowan
Systems Engineer, Owlstone Medical
And - Chartered Mechanical Engineer with the IMechE
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The idea that what I'm working on could be used as part of a system to save thousands of lives is incredibly motivational.
WHAT DO YOU DO?
I work for Owlstone Medical, developing a system for collecting breath samples from patients for chemical analysis. The focus of Owlstone is on early stage detection of cancer by detecting volatile organic compounds on a patients’ exhaled breath (a 'breath biopsy'). This technology could make the diagnosis of cancer fast, cost-effective and less intrusive than the current method of tissue biopsy.
I lead the development activities for the next generation clean air supply subsystem, which provides the filtered air to the patient during the breath biopsy. The technical development involves a lot of problem-solving and analytical investigating, particularly with mechanical designs and experimental testing, but also managing and motivating people. This is especially important as the subsystem interfaces with a wider team, each of whom have a unique expertise, ranging from chemistry, physics, mechanical, electrical and manufacturing engineering.
WHY DID YOU CHOOSE THIS FIELD?
Medical engineering combined my love of creating and problem solving with my wish to work in a role which helped people. At school I'd been trying to choose between medicine and engineering when I came across biomedical engineering as a degree. The more I read about these courses, the more I realised how large the field is, how many problems are unsolved and how solutions have the potential for impacting peoples lives on a wide scale.
I was fortunate that I considered engineering as an option as my father, my older sister and two of my uncles are engineers (all different disciplines within engineering!). My mother had also worked as a project manager in industry, so it was very much in the family. Although I was not especially encouraged (or discouraged) from entering the engineering profession, my parents clear enthusiasm for their jobs certainly made me consider it seriously.
WHAT DO YOU LOOK AT & THINK, "I WISH YOUNGER ME WOULD HAVE KNOWN THIS WAS POSSIBLE?"
Recently, the first product I was Technical Lead for made it onto the market. The device is a respiratory drug delivery device for the treatment of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disorders.
I'm particularly proud of this achievement as medical devices need to comply with many safety standards; so design, development and verification of devices take years of work.
WHY DO YOU LOVE WORKING IN STEM?
Particularly in my current role; the idea that what I'm working on could be used as part of a system to detect early stage cancer and save thousands of lives is incredibly motivational.
BEST ADVICE FOR NEXT GENERATION?
Don't let gender stereotypes put you off a rewarding and interesting career. An individual can have an amazing impact in STEM and there are so many opportunities to find challenges you can be really passionate about.
INSPO / FUN FACT
My role model is Susan Cain who wrote a wonderful book called 'Quiet' about the power of introverts.