Physician-Engineer Trainee Spotlights
Frederick Damen
Frederick Damen (far left) at the 2018 Lindau Nobel Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting with Dr. Robert Lefkowitz (2012 Nobel Prize in Chemistry) and other young scientists from Spain and the US.
Why did you choose to become a physician-engineer?
When I started my undergrad at Georgia Tech, I really had no intentions of becoming a physician. I was firmly driven to pursue an academic career in biomedical engineering where I would help develop the next generation of medical imaging technology. Then later that freshman year, I found out that these programs existed where I could get both medical and engineering training…it instantly clicked for me. The prospect of being able to both directly impact patients’ lives in the clinic, and then take those experiences to drive future innovation as an engineer, sounded like an enhanced version of my initial goals. Now about halfway through the MSTP program training, I can proudly say that my drive has only strengthened and those long-term aspirations are actually feeling closer to a reality.
What does being a physician-engineer mean to you?
Being either a physician-engineer or physician-scientist, does hold a subtly different connotation in my mind. As an engineer by training, I feel as though we are driven more towards discovery through innovation, rather than the basic science approach of hypothesis driven experimentation. Thus when transitioning into a combined physician-engineer career, we might be inclined to advance the care of our patients through the creation of new technologies and by improving efficiency within the clinic. While our community is still growing in numbers, I strongly believe our healthcare system will immensely benefit from having more dual-degree physicians with an engineering background, and this is why I’m so glad to have joined the IU/Purdue MSTP program.
What is one of your most memorable experiences since you came into the program?
In the summer of 2018, I had the unbelievable opportunity to attend the 68th Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting (https://www.mediatheque.lindau-nobel.org/meetings/2018), getting the chance to meet 40+ past Nobel prize winners in Physiology and Medicine and 600+ young scientists from across the globe. Not only was it my first time in Europe, but the entire week was filled both stimulating scientific discussions and new insights into how science is approached around the world. I have since kept in touch with several of my new friends and hope to even collaborate with them in the future!
What do you do for fun outside of the program?
Outside the program, my primary outlet has been both playing and coaching water polo. For the past three years I have played with the Purdue Men’s team in the fall and coached the Women’s team in the spring. I started playing back in 2009 when I started undergrad at Georgia Tech and it has been a great physical and competitive outlet. Outside of water polo, I’ve also been quite involved in BME intramural teams including sand volleyball, football, soccer, and dodgeball!
What advice would you give to a prospective student?
I think a key litmus test before pursuing an physician-engineer pathway is asking yourself honestly: “What is it that I want to do for my career that I can’t reasonably pursue with only one half of the training?” There are plenty of MDs that pursue clinical research and PhDs frequently work closely with clinicians to translate their work. Knowing that this training is both long and demanding, I believe having a passionate answer to that question can really help indicate whether this is the right path for you.