Asking the Right Questions - Product Development for Physicists

Physicists are well qualified by nature and training to ask the right questions to understand a new technical situation. Before designing a novel product, it is vital to determine the key challenges that it must meet in order to be successful. Using the example of a wide range of novel Medical Devices, I describe the seven keys to defining the right product to develop and highlight how the skills of the physicist are well suited to addressing them. I also will cover some of the steps that a fresh physics undergraduate can take to prepare themselves for an engaging career in product development.

John Walmsley is Chief Operating Officer of StarFish Medical, Canada's largest design, development, and flexible manufacturing outsourcing services, 100% dedicated to the medical device and life science marketplace. John is a Professional Physicist and holds a Master of Science in Optics from Queen's University Belfast. His early career focused on high reliability optoelectronics development and manufacturing transfer. He is responsible for StarFish Medical product development, manufacturing, day to day QA, internal finance, HR and facilities. As Vice President of Product Development from 2011-2016, he led StarFish Medical's product development activities and grew his team to over 70 engineers and designers. Since joining StarFish in 2005, John has managed projects as diverse as 3D ultrasound development, emergency medical devices, and laboratory automation. John is a frequent speaker at industry events.