Becky DeLegge, Founder and CEO of DeLegge Medical, is a current member and past president of the department’s External Advisory Board. She gives the impression of having a vast store of energy. How fortunate that she enjoys spending some of it on the department and its students! Editor
1. What do you enjoy most about your work? The variety keeps it very interesting. I get to work in bioengineering medical device design in many different areas. Right now I am working in GI, urology, oral surgery, and orthopedics. We are also starting a new company in Veterinary this year. Very exciting time in that field!
2. What drew you toward becoming a member of the CU BIOE Advisory Board? I am so excited about helping the Department of Bioengineering prepare the workforce. Many things have changed with the department in the last ten years that are good for the bioengineering workforce and for bioengineers in South Carolina. Serving on the board has reconnected me with Clemson and connected me with many BIOE alumni who are serving in the c-suite of medical device companies.
3. What were your challenges as board president? I think the board could do more to help the department, but it is difficult to know what to do because all of the board is looking at bioengineering academia from the outside. We are familiar with how to make change within our industry or our companies, but academia is totally different.
4. What advice would you offer current students? Use internships and shadowing opportunities to prepare yourself for industry if that is the route you choose to go. Volunteer and get to know the state that you settle in so you can help to build the bioengineering economy in your state. It will in the long run help all of us. If you are feeling unchallenged, switch directions. Try a start up, take on an intern, or switch to a different area of focus, like from soft tissue to orthopedics. It will renew your spirit and make your job more enjoyable.
