As the in-house engineer, my primary responsibility centered on designing a syringe that facilitated chemical testing while eliminating the possibility of re-injecting the tested substance. Through iterative cycles encompassing sketches, CAD, and validation—be it through simulations or expert consultations—I successfully developed a syringe that met all predefined design criteria and was ready for injection molding.
Another vital component of my internship involved networking. We showcased our innovations at two prominent conferences: Collision 2023 and KDays. Entrusted with the creation of visual materials, I learnt to use Blender to produce high-quality videos and renders devoid of sensitive information. The ability to articulate our vision concisely became indispensable as I found myself pitching to potential partners every few minutes at our exhibition booth. These interactions culminated in forging new partnerships with several pharmacies, broadening our distribution channels beyond the limits of governmental distribution.
Moreover, following the premature exit of our chemistry team, I helped my supervisor to vet and recruit highly qualified professionals. Taking into account their relevant expertise and academic backgrounds, I learned the intricacies of the onboarding process. Through close collaboration with the newly-assembled team, I was able to refine my syringe designs to optimize them for the specific chemical tests, thereby achieving peak efficiency.