Episode Highlights:

• The shocking truth about the transition from academia to industry

• How she built her own startup in undergrad

• Navigating the hidden VISA gauntlet international STEM grads face in the US job market

Timestamps:

0:27 - What is an Electrical Engineer/Materials Scientist?

7:32 - What does a typical day look like?

9:58 - What do you enjoy?

15:57 - What do you dislike?

20:43 - How does your career compare to your initial aspirations?

29:12 - What were your career milestones?

31:54 - What advice would you give an aspiring professional?

About Our Guest:

Renata Saha is a Senior Scientist focused on the development and translation of technologies for wearable and implantable medical devices. She holds a PhD in Electrical Engineering from the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, where her research centered on neural interfaces, micromagnetic neurostimulation, and experimental neurotechnology.

Renata’s work sits at the intersection of materials science, medical device engineering, and translational research, with an emphasis on bridging early-stage innovation to scalable, manufacturable healthcare solutions. Her experience spans industry research and development, academic research, and collaboration with clinicians and startups. She is particularly interested in the future of neurotechnology, nano-enabled medical devices, and the practical challenges of translating cutting-edge research into real-world clinical impact.

• Connect with Renata on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/renata-saha/

• Resources from our Guest

• • https://sites.usc.edu/carss/

  • https://cne.umn.edu/

  • https://open.spotify.com/show/7eJGUJczDkCqaoRtYEoZeQ

• Extended Interview - ⁠patreon.com/diverseroutes ⁠

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