Meet some of Orange County’s future business leaders: the OC Fellows. These recent college graduates are already innovating new technology.
Meet some of Orange County’s future business leaders: the OC Fellows. These recent college graduates are already innovating new technology.
Tasha Aboufadel | Medtronic Neurovascular: senior R&D engineer. Specializes in stroke-treatment products. Leads Medtronic’s Young Professionals group. Rice University: master’s degree in applied bioengineering; UCLA: B.S. in biochemistry. Aspires to foster innovation through human-centered design. Enjoys backpacking, pilates, travel.
William Agnew | Johnson & Johnson: senior research and development engineer. Specializes in inventing groundbreaking technology . Oversaw development of two novel diagnostic catheters. Developed novel concepts leading to 10 patent applications at Johnson & Johnson. UCI: master’s degree in biomedical engineering; UCI: B.S. in biomedical engineering. Passionate about developing new lifesaving medical devices.
Daniel Quiñonez | Milliman: actuarial analyst. Specializes in property and casualty practice. Interested in all-things data. UCI: B.S. in mathematics. Aspires to use his tech and management skills to innovate products in the field of “insurtech,” the technology of insurance. Enjoys hiking, surfskating, cooking, reading.
Sydney Cheek | Edwards Lifesciences: clinical specialist. Specializes in clinical and regulatory development. Passionate about women’s health. University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill: B.S. in biomedical engineering. Licensed emergency medical technician. Enjoys exercising at the beach year-round.
Rena Sim | Medtronic Neurovascular: project management specialist. Specializes in managing new product development programs for stroke treatment devices. Passionate about improving patients’ lives and promoting holistic well-being. UCI: B.S. in public health sciences. Enjoys exploring new cities, trying new food, board games.
Salonee Darbari | Edwards Lifesciences: new product development engineer. Specializes in trans-catheter heart valves. Passionate about fostering a sense of community in any setting and providing mentorship. UCI: B.S. in biomedical engineering. Known for her frequent puns. Enjoys going to the gym, concerts, and finding new restaurants.
Omkar Kulkarni | Skyworks Solutions: electrical staff engineer. Specializes in developing technology for 5G mobile and wireless devices. Passionate about preserving the environment. Univ. of Texas at Dallas: master’s degrees in electrical engineering and information technology. Enjoys new recipes, visiting national parks.
Sabeena Sebastian | Safran: program manager. Specializes in merging engineering with management. Previously, a senior compliance manager at Masimo, Pepperdine Business School: MBA; UCI: B.S. in chemical engineering. Aspires to be an example of STEM leadership. Enjoys dancing and trying new restaurants.
Naomi Dimagmaliw | Edwards Lifesciences: quality engineer. Specializes in trans-catheter heart valves and delivery systems. Passionate about encouraging young women to pursue STEM studies. UCI: B.S. in biomedical engineering. Daughter of first-generation Filipino immigrants. Enjoys autobiographies, new restaurants, concerts and music festivals.
Luqman Zahid | Skyworks Solutions: senior electrical engineer. Specializes in radio frequency design. Passionate about cutting-edge wireless technology. Univ. of Texas at Dallas: Master’s degree in electrical engineering; NED University, Pakistan: B.E. in electrical engineering. Enjoys travel, kayaking, exploring new cultures.
Rini Jayarethinam | Edwards Lifesciences: design engineer. Passionate about helping patients in need of lifesaving medical devices. Aspires to promote engineering and STEM to future generations. Duke University: M.E. in biomedical engineering; UCI: B.S. in biomedical engineering. Enjoys cooking, watching TV, exploring coffee shops.
Kendra Washington | Edwards Lifesciences: algorithm engineer. Specializes in developing hemodynamic monitoring technologies. Passionate about improving patient outcomes. Georgia Institute of Technology: B.S. in biomedical engineering. Named a Stamps President’s Scholar. Enjoys dancing, hiking, volunteering.
Kelsey Dalton | City of Hope Orange County: senior media relations specialist. Specializes in building awareness and preference for City of Hope. Passionate about the power of storytelling to make a lasting impact. Chapman University: B.S. in strategic and corporate communication. Enjoys a good book, a cup of coffee and living that dog mom life.
Jeremy Bui | Edwards Lifesciences: commercial physician training specialist. Specializes in trans-catheter mitral & tricuspid therapies. Passionate about creating teams that exceed expectations. UCI: B.S. in materials science engineering. USC Marshall School of Business: pursuing MBA. Enjoys backpacking, fishing, competing in Spartan races.
Kathryn McDermott | Alliance Resource Group: recruiting manager. Specializes in finding and placing talent in accounting and finance jobs. Previously a risk advisor at KPMG. Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo: B.S. in business administration. Enjoys Orange County’s year-round beautiful weather, friendly people and incredible restaurants.
Kristofer Amparo | Ingram Micro Cloud: financial planning and analysis manager. Specializes in corporate financial planning and data analysis. Passionate about driving business growth. USC Marshall School of Business: MBA; UCI: B.A. in business and managerial economics. Enjoys golf, rooting for the Lakers, Angels and Colts.
Grant Smith | Rivian Automotive: mechanical engineer. Specializes in reducing vehicle weight while enhancing vehicle structure. Tufts University: B.S. in mechanical engineering. Passionate about the pursuit of innovative and sustainable products that excite customers. Enjoys running, skiing, exploring national parks.
Giselle Ho | Edwards Lifesciences: program associate. Specializes in patient care and product development. Passionate about mentoring and volunteering in underserved communities. UCI: B.S. in biomedical engineering. Avid foodie that loves spending time with friends and family and exploring new cultures through travel.
Gabbie Rohde | Edwards Lifesciences: data engineer. Specializes in algorithms for patient-monitoring medical devices. Passionate about creating predictive technology to treat patients. Marquette University: B.S. in biomedical engineering. Pursuing: master’s degree in computer science. Enjoys volleyball, hiking, reading.
Divya Chowbey | Edwards Lifesciences: systems engineer. Specializes in building next-gen hemodynamic monitoring platforms. Passionate about mountains and trees. Duke University: B.S. in biomedical engineering and computer science. Aspires to give back to OC. Enjoys hiking, biking, trying new recipes.
Amanda Christidis | Masimo: process engineer. Specializes in process optimization and mechanical design for medical devices. Previously an electrical engineer for Southern California Edison. Cal State Long Beach: B.S. in mechanical engineering. Motivated to see how her work “impacts individual lives and the community.”
