Ellen Roche, an associate professor at MIT’s Institute for Medical Engineering and Science (IMES) and Department of Mechanical Engineering, has had a remarkable journey in the field of biomedical engineering. Even before completing her bachelor’s degree, Roche was gaining valuable research experience in the medical device industry. During her third year at the National University of Ireland at Galway, she participated in a program where students worked at companies developing new devices for patient care. This early exposure to the industry was instrumental in shaping her career path.
Roche’s experience working on cardiovascular implants during her placement in the medical device industry left a lasting impression on her. She was fascinated by the intricate process of designing, developing, and testing technologies that would eventually be implanted in humans. This experience motivated her to pursue further opportunities in the field.
In graduate school, Roche continued to gain industry experience through programs that took her to companies like Mednova Ltd. in Galway and Abbott Vascular in California. Her work on developing a carotid artery filter and investigating drug-coated stents further solidified her passion for medical device innovation.
Now a tenured professor at MIT, Roche directs the Therapeutic Technology Design and Development Lab, where her team focuses on developing novel devices using soft robotics, advanced fabrication methods, and computational analysis tools. Some of the devices they design are intended for implantation into patients, while others are used for research and testing purposes.
Roche emphasizes the importance of collaboration, flexibility, and gaining industry experience while still in school. She encourages her students to be open to opportunities, work with like-minded individuals, and be willing to readapt when necessary. Roche believes that exposure to the various aspects of the medical device industry, such as regulatory submissions, quality control, and clinical studies, is crucial for aspiring biomedical engineers.
Born in Galway to a civil engineer father and a mother who was a radiographer, Roche was always drawn to math, science, and medicine. Her mother played a significant role in influencing her career choices, introducing her to mentors in the industry and fostering her interest in medical devices.
Roche’s impressive academic and professional journey includes earning a bioengineering master’s degree at Trinity College in Dublin, studying medicine at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, and receiving a Fulbright Scholarship to pursue her PhD in the U.S. Under the guidance of her advisors at Harvard University, Roche worked on various medical devices, including a soft implantable ventilator and a robotic heart created using 3D printing.
One of Roche’s notable achievements is the development of a 3D-printed replica of a patient’s heart, which allows researchers to test different treatments and interventions. This innovative approach has the potential to revolutionize patient care and may one day lead to entirely synthetic, implantable hearts for individuals with end-stage heart failure.
Roche’s groundbreaking work has earned her numerous awards, including a National Science Foundation CAREER award and recognition for her entrepreneurship. Her medical device startup, Spheric Bio, has received accolades for its innovative approach to developing minimally invasive heart implants.
In addition to her research endeavors, Roche is actively involved in mentoring students and has received awards for her teaching and service. She is passionate about advancing patient-specific treatments and devices through computational models and physical biorobotic simulators.
Roche’s dedication to her work is evident in her commitment to making a positive impact on society. She encourages her students to find ways to combine their passions, skills, and desire to help others in order to create meaningful contributions to the world. With her innovative research and unwavering dedication, Ellen Roche continues to inspire the next generation of biomedical engineers and medical innovators.
