Annie Simon
Interview Posted By: Ashley Smith
1. Can you tell us a little about your background? i.e. Where you grow up, what education do you have, a summary of your resume, did you always want to do what you are doing now, when did you start to become interested in STEM, what internships/ volunteering
I grew up in the Chicago suburbs and have always excelled in and enjoyed math and science. I went to Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and majored in Biomedical Engineering. While I was there I was introduced to the research side of the field during a summer internship. I enjoyed discovering new things in the field of rehabilitation that could potentially help patients during their recovery from physical injuries and disorders. Having a strong drive to further my education I went to Ann Arbor, Michigan and earned my M.S.E. in Mechanical Engineering and my Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering working in the field of stroke rehabilitation. After graduation, I moved back to Chicago to work at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago working in the field of powered prosthetics. All along the way I’ve wanted to combine my interest in engineering and finding solutions with my clinical interests of helping others. I don’t know if I had a clear image of what I thought I’d end up doing once I graduated but I couldn’t be happier where I am now.
2. What exactly IS your job? What do you do on a day to day basis?
I am the Biomedical Engineering Manager at the Center for Bionic Medicine at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago. As a center we work towards restoring the ability of individuals who have lost a limb. My main responsibility is to direct the day-to-day activities of a team of engineers and clinicians who test prosthetic prototypes including new electronic components and novel control strategies. I coordinate the extensive testing necessary to ensure that these devices operate as designed and assist in improving patients’ functional abilities. My day-to-day activities vary greatly and include: testing new electronic components to record biological signals, developing and testing custom software to control powered prosthetic limbs in an intuitive manner, designing experimental protocol to test how well a patient can use the prosthetic limb, recording and analyzing biological and mechanical sensor data while a patient is using their prosthetic limb, and continually improving the robustness of the entire system. I also work closely with graduate students and staff mentoring them on how to design better experiments, analyze their data, and write up their results in journal articles.
3. Have you faced any discrimination/ challenges being a woman in a stem field? If so, how did you deal with it? Do you have any advice for up and coming women in STEM?
I have faced minor acts of discrimination throughout my education but have always taken them in stride. Ever since I was in middle school, I have chosen to participate several male-dominated classes and activities. I remember a male middle school teacher of mine poking fun at me for being the only female in my 6th grade woodworking class. In college, while working at a co-op in all male engineering department, a male employee told me “women shouldn’t use tools”. Although I didn’t do so at the time, we need to stand up for ourselves and other women. These and other instances didn’t have a major affect on me because I’ve always had a strong sense of self-confidence in the path and field I’ve chosen. I believe that sense of self came from my parents. They have always instilled within me the ability to do whatever I set my mind on. They continue to do so even to this day. Because of this I have had the desire, will, and drive to look past (and sometimes not even notice) hurdles in my education and career. I have not experienced larger instances of discrimination and have not experienced any gender bias at my current position. My advice for others is to stand up for yourself and stand up for what you believe in.
4. What is the best and worst part of your job? What do you look forward to in your job on a day to day basis? What do you wish you could change?
Since most of my work includes testing research prototypes and software, failures are plentiful. It is what we do with these failures, picking out the small successes and building on them that help move research forward. I look forward to the days when the technologies I am working on make it out of the research lab and into the clinic, allowing patients to improve their quality of life. The days I enjoy the most are when our hard work allows a patient to do something they haven’t previously been able to do. For example, while working on a powered prosthetic leg project, we are able to train above-knee amputees on how to climb stairs with a reciprocal gait. Often this is a task these patients haven’t done since their amputation which has been anywhere from 1-40 years ago. It is truly remarkable to see their emotional response once we’ve given them back this ability.
5. How do you balance your work and personal life? Any secrets or advice you’d like to share?
I maintain a very healthy work-life balance. I enjoy my job very much but I love my family more (I have a wonderful daughter and son). Once I started a family I was able to alter my work schedule, have very defined work hours, and can always be home for dinner with my family. My employer has been very understanding and accommodating. I am successful with this work schedule because I worked hard during my pre-family days to establish myself. I have a strong work ethic, am highly productivity and always work hard to achieve all deadlines.
6. What is one personality trait that you think is universally important for a successful career?
Communication, both written and oral, is key to a successful career.
7. Who was a mentor to you throughout your career? (can be more than one!) What did they teach you? How did they impact your life?
My dad is my first and foremost mentor. He taught me that I can do anything I put my mind to. He also taught me that it takes hard work to achieve the successes in our lives. Sometimes you just have to “put your head down and get it done”.
I grew up in the Chicago suburbs and have always excelled in and enjoyed math and science. I went to Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and majored in Biomedical Engineering. While I was there I was introduced to the research side of the field during a summer internship. I enjoyed discovering new things in the field of rehabilitation that could potentially help patients during their recovery from physical injuries and disorders. Having a strong drive to further my education I went to Ann Arbor, Michigan and earned my M.S.E. in Mechanical Engineering and my Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering working in the field of stroke rehabilitation. After graduation, I moved back to Chicago to work at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago working in the field of powered prosthetics. All along the way I’ve wanted to combine my interest in engineering and finding solutions with my clinical interests of helping others. I don’t know if I had a clear image of what I thought I’d end up doing once I graduated but I couldn’t be happier where I am now.
2. What exactly IS your job? What do you do on a day to day basis?
I am the Biomedical Engineering Manager at the Center for Bionic Medicine at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago. As a center we work towards restoring the ability of individuals who have lost a limb. My main responsibility is to direct the day-to-day activities of a team of engineers and clinicians who test prosthetic prototypes including new electronic components and novel control strategies. I coordinate the extensive testing necessary to ensure that these devices operate as designed and assist in improving patients’ functional abilities. My day-to-day activities vary greatly and include: testing new electronic components to record biological signals, developing and testing custom software to control powered prosthetic limbs in an intuitive manner, designing experimental protocol to test how well a patient can use the prosthetic limb, recording and analyzing biological and mechanical sensor data while a patient is using their prosthetic limb, and continually improving the robustness of the entire system. I also work closely with graduate students and staff mentoring them on how to design better experiments, analyze their data, and write up their results in journal articles.
3. Have you faced any discrimination/ challenges being a woman in a stem field? If so, how did you deal with it? Do you have any advice for up and coming women in STEM?
I have faced minor acts of discrimination throughout my education but have always taken them in stride. Ever since I was in middle school, I have chosen to participate several male-dominated classes and activities. I remember a male middle school teacher of mine poking fun at me for being the only female in my 6th grade woodworking class. In college, while working at a co-op in all male engineering department, a male employee told me “women shouldn’t use tools”. Although I didn’t do so at the time, we need to stand up for ourselves and other women. These and other instances didn’t have a major affect on me because I’ve always had a strong sense of self-confidence in the path and field I’ve chosen. I believe that sense of self came from my parents. They have always instilled within me the ability to do whatever I set my mind on. They continue to do so even to this day. Because of this I have had the desire, will, and drive to look past (and sometimes not even notice) hurdles in my education and career. I have not experienced larger instances of discrimination and have not experienced any gender bias at my current position. My advice for others is to stand up for yourself and stand up for what you believe in.
4. What is the best and worst part of your job? What do you look forward to in your job on a day to day basis? What do you wish you could change?
Since most of my work includes testing research prototypes and software, failures are plentiful. It is what we do with these failures, picking out the small successes and building on them that help move research forward. I look forward to the days when the technologies I am working on make it out of the research lab and into the clinic, allowing patients to improve their quality of life. The days I enjoy the most are when our hard work allows a patient to do something they haven’t previously been able to do. For example, while working on a powered prosthetic leg project, we are able to train above-knee amputees on how to climb stairs with a reciprocal gait. Often this is a task these patients haven’t done since their amputation which has been anywhere from 1-40 years ago. It is truly remarkable to see their emotional response once we’ve given them back this ability.
5. How do you balance your work and personal life? Any secrets or advice you’d like to share?
I maintain a very healthy work-life balance. I enjoy my job very much but I love my family more (I have a wonderful daughter and son). Once I started a family I was able to alter my work schedule, have very defined work hours, and can always be home for dinner with my family. My employer has been very understanding and accommodating. I am successful with this work schedule because I worked hard during my pre-family days to establish myself. I have a strong work ethic, am highly productivity and always work hard to achieve all deadlines.
6. What is one personality trait that you think is universally important for a successful career?
Communication, both written and oral, is key to a successful career.
7. Who was a mentor to you throughout your career? (can be more than one!) What did they teach you? How did they impact your life?
My dad is my first and foremost mentor. He taught me that I can do anything I put my mind to. He also taught me that it takes hard work to achieve the successes in our lives. Sometimes you just have to “put your head down and get it done”.