W.I.S.E. Wednesday: An Empowering Voice from Jordan Rosales

Jordan Rosales is a Technical Support Engineer at THINK Surgical, an orthopedic robotics company. Her role blends technical support with supply chain, coordination, and regulatory alignment. She is also an Ohio State University graduate with a Bachelors of Science in Biomedical Engineering.

Jordan highlights her career journey and progression, a project THINK Surgical is innovating, her inspiration behind pursuing a stem degree, speaking about challenges she has faced throughout her academic and professional journey, and providing her advice on how the next generation of stem changemakers can make an impact in our society today.

Interview Transcript:

Question #1: Can you introduce yourself and your STEM background?

Hi! My name is Jordan Rosales and I currently work as a Technical Support Engineer at THINK Surgical–orthopedic robotics company. My role blends technical support with supply chain coordination and regulatory alignment. I’m also contributing to building a robust customer support system as the company grows. I graduated from Ohio State University in May 2022 with a degree in Biomedical Engineering. Biomedical engineering is where engineering meets medicine. We use engineering tools to solve healthcare challenges—like designing medical devices, improving diagnostics, or developing new therapies to improve patient care. During undergrad, I explored various sides of the field through a clinical role as a Safety Aid, an engineering internship at a startup called SafeWhite Inc., and a remote research position with a surgeon at OSU. These experiences gave me a well-rounded view of clinical, research, and startup environments, which ultimately helped me realize I wanted to pursue a career in industry. Right after graduation, I reached out to members of the BME department’s advisory board for guidance, which helped me land my first role as a Technical Support Engineer at AccVein Inc. There, I started in customer support and engineering, and eventually shifted toward medical device quality assurance, focusing on FDA regulations, manufacturing processes, and product improvements.

Question #2: What inspired you to pursue a STEM degree, specifically BME and your career choice?

I’ve always been interested in the medical field since high school—I knew I wanted to make a positive impact on people’s health, but I wasn’t sure what path to take at first. I wanted to challenge myself in college and build a future where I could make a real difference. It was actually a teacher who encouraged me to look into engineering. They introduced me to Biomedical Engineering as a field that’s not only intellectually challenging but also equips you with valuable skills like problem solving, innovation, and adaptability. Choosing this path pushed me out of my comfort zone, but it also gave me a lot of confidence in my ability to learn, grow, and contribute meaningfully to healthcare.

Question #3: What challenges have you faced in your STEM journey, and how did you overcome them?

One of the biggest challenges I faced during college was navigating the competitiveness of getting into the Biomedical Engineering program. At The Ohio State University, freshmen are in their pre-engineering major and Biomedical Engineering interested students must reapply to get into the major. At first, I struggled with designing a study structure that worked for me, and I found it difficult to reach out for help. On top of that, I was unsure about where I truly fit in—whether it was research, medicine, or industry. To work through that, I learned to get organized. I developed a study plan, prioritized my tasks, and slowly got more comfortable asking questions and seeking support. I also started networking early—reaching out to professionals and alumni to better understand different career paths. That process helped me find clarity, build confidence, and ultimately decide that industry was where I felt most aligned.

Question #4: Have you ever felt excluded or underrepresented in your field? How did you navigate that challenge?

Working with people from different backgrounds made me more aware of how anyone's past experiences shape their ideologies, especially how individuals' past experiences can shape how they communicate with other individuals. It can shape team dynamics. Coming out of college, it was a slight shift. At first, I didn’t feel very confident as a new grad especially because I was new to the job world. However, by the end of my first job, I felt more confident overall. It overall gave me a new perspective. I currently work with a wonderful team that has challenged me to be my best self and accepts my skills and growth. I’m extremely hopeful we’ll continue moving toward better representation for women in engineering.

Question #5: What’s an exciting development or innovation happening in your field right now?

At THINK Surgical, I’m part of a team developing an innovative robotic device for total knee arthroplasty—a wireless handheld robot that offers a less invasive approach compared to total knee arthroplasty which is a surgical procedure in which a damaged or worn-out knee joint is replaced with an artificial implant. Surgeons remove the damaged cartilage and bone from the surface of the knee joint and replace them with metal and plastic parts that move like a natural, smoothly functioning knee. We’re competing with companies like Stryker, Zimmer, and Smith & Nephew, which makes the environment incredibly motivating. What’s exciting is that this technology can reduce recovery time and make surgeries more efficient, directly improving patient outcomes. I love the competitive and innovative nature of the orthopedic space, but it’s a healthy kind of competition—because at the end of the day, we’re all working toward the same goal: improving lives through better surgical solutions. It’s also incredibly inspiring to work alongside people from such diverse backgrounds and learn from their expertise every day.

Question #6: If you could go back and give your younger self one piece of advice about STEM, what would it be?

I’d tell myself that everything will be okay—challenges are part of the journey, and pushing through them is where the real growth happens. I’d also emphasize the importance of networking early on; connecting with others opens up opportunities and helps you find your path. Most importantly, pursue a job that genuinely excites you—do something you want to do, not just something you feel like you should do.

Question #7: What would you tell someone who lacks the confidence to pursue a STEM career?

I’ve learned that there’s always a place for you in STEM. It’s definitely challenging and pushes you to think in ways you never expected, but hard work can match, and even outweigh, natural talent. So aim high—shoot for the moon, and even if you miss, you’ll land among the stars.