Cal State Fullerton’s College of Engineering & Computer Science was proud to recognize Edwards Lifesciences as its Corporate Partner of the Year for 2024. This esteemed recognition honors the lasting impact of the company’s partnership with the college and its unwavering commitment to fostering innovation, leadership, and community development. Through this partnership, Edwards Lifesciences has contributed to the professional growth of ECS students and provided valuable insights and mentorship, helping to shape the next generation of engineers and leaders.
The partnership, which began in 2016, was initiated by Greg Wright ’00 (B.S.) ’08 (M.S.), senior vice president of R&D for Surgical Structural Heart at Edwards. Wright’s dedication as a CSUF alumnus and his commitment to fostering opportunities for future engineers were instrumental in establishing this collaboration.
“It is a real honor to be recognized as Corporate Partner of the Year. I know with so many strong corporate partners, it was not an easy decision, but I am honored to receive it on behalf of Edwards Lifesciences,” Wright says. “There were a lot of learnings in the early going, but at the end of the day, I am proud of what we’ve created.”
The collaboration has flourished over the years through projects, mentoring, and leadership development. Edwards has sponsored various initiatives, including the Women in Computer Science and Engineering (WiCSE) program and senior design projects that provide hands-on experiences for students.
“Giving back to the community is part of our credo at Edwards Lifesciences. We focus on patients, our employees, and the community we live in,” Wright says. “There is a real sense of fulfillment when you can help a student realize their dream or teach them a skill that will help them wherever they decide to go in their career. We have hired several students from our senior design projects program, and watching them grow as engineers in their pursuit to help patients has been the most rewarding experience for me.”
Mentorship and Learning: A Two-Way Street
One of the most impactful aspects of the partnership between Edwards Lifesciences and ECS is the opportunity for students to work directly on complex engineering projects.
“It is great to see how the students grow over the course of the project. Their problem-solving skills, passion for making an impact, and the rigor they put into learning as much as they can are impressive,” Wright says.
One standout initiative is a fixture designed by ECS students to streamline hydrodynamic testing, reducing preparation time from two hours to just a few minutes. This innovative solution exemplifies the students’ ingenuity and problem-solving skills.
Edwards also benefits from the fresh perspectives that students provide. Wright explains that collaboration often leads to insights that challenge conventional thinking and encourage creative problem-solving.
Beyond technical skills, Edwards is dedicated to supporting students’ professional development. The company offers mentorship, resume-building workshops, and opportunities for students to learn about the anatomy and physiology of the heart. ECS students have opportunities to receive guidance from seasoned engineers who have decades of experience in designing medical devices and solving complex challenges.
Through its WiCSE involvement, the company has created the Edwards Student Scholar program, which is designed to support women in engineering and computer science.
Wright emphasizes the importance of this program, especially in encouraging female students to pursue careers in the medical device industry.
“One of the amazing things I have seen since I joined the medical device field is how many women engineers have come into this industry. Our hope is that this program will encourage more women to join this field and become the next leaders,” he says.
Looking ahead, Edwards Lifesciences aims to deepen its partnership with the College of Engineering & Computer Science even further. With ongoing discussions around the development of the Innovation Hub, a cutting-edge research environment at CSUF, Wright sees exciting opportunities for collaboration.
