M4 student called to make a difference after graduation

When coming to The Ohio State University, Erin Cowen wanted to study biomedical engineering following in a line Ohio State engineers in her family. Her enthusiasm for solving real-world problems evolved from the engineering program at her high school in Hilliard, Ohio.

Seeking fulfillment through her work, Cowen focused her sights on engineering in the medical field. In May 2021, Cowen brought her experience to the Medical Modeling, Materials and Manufacturing (M4) Division at the Center for Design and Manufacturing Excellence (CDME). The opportunity to make a clinical impact on patients' lives allowed her to gain experience to be ready to enter the workforce. Working at M4 has been instrumental in Cowen’s academic and professional development.

“I think we have a unique opportunity to interact with patients,” said Cowen. “I've been able to shadow surgeries that we created models for and talk to the patients before and after surgery. It’s very cool to talk to someone that you're helping and see how your work is impacting their life. That exposure is what steered me toward a career in medical engineering. I've really enjoyed being able to see the impact of my work directly, more so than in the industry.”

Cowen has been working on a clinical research study. The study focuses on taking pre- and post-operative scans from patients, measuring certain key points and determining the differences in the mandible before and after reconstruction, for patients who have benefitted from anatomic modeling. The models in the study made by M4 are compared with models made by another company that provides similar services. The lab can analyze how reconstructive accuracies vary between in-house models made at the point of care and models from external vendors.

Learning different tools enabled Cowen to gain a wide range of technical skills. She became familiar with anatomically analyzing digital imaging and communications in medicine (DICOM) from CT and MRI scans. She gained faith in her ability to 3D print, work with silicone molding and post-process 3D models.

Working with Dr.Kyle VanKoevering, M4 clinical director, gave Cowen more confidence to work in medicine. Dr. VanKoevering gives students the opportunity to shadow surgeries and get exposure to the clinical side of things.

In addition to working at M4, Cowen is currently interning with MIM Software Incorporated as a clinical engineer. MIM provides hospitals with software development. Cowen works on software specifically for radiation oncology. Her work at M4 was a key player in obtaining an internship at MIM because she gained relatable experience to the position.

Outside of education, it was very important for her to build community on campus. Over the past four years, she joined extracurriculars such as the Society of Women Engineers, Biomedical Engineers Society and the St. Thomas More Newman Center.

In addition, Cowen is a part of the integrated business and engineering program which enabled her to get a business minor and be exposed to the interdisciplinary aspects of how engineering and business fit together. To gain a better understanding of hardware and software programs, she added a computer science minor.

After Cowen graduates this May, she will spend her last few moments with family and friends before venturing off with the Peace Corps to Togo, Africa. Cowen will spend the first three months learning the language, customs and culture. After she finishes training, she will serve as a health extension volunteer for the next two years. Cowen will teach the local communities about vaccines, disease transmission and ways to promote healthier communities. There is even potential for her to work on a maternal health project. After returning from the Peace Corps, she hopes to start medical school in August 2026.

“It’s important to look at the bigger picture. Find something you’re passionate about and go for it,” said Cowen.

Ways to connect with Erin Cowen:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erin-cowen/

By: Evahanna Cruz, CDME marketing and communications student assistant