Anna Belu
How are you involved with surface science?
I am a surface scientist in the medical device industry, as I have worked at Medtronic for the past 16 years. I lead the Microscopy and Surface Analysis team based in Corporate Science and Technology in Minneapolis MN. My team has an excellent portfolio of tools available for understanding the chemistry and morphology of surfaces and interfaces of medical devices, including TOF-SIMS, XPS, profilometry, ellipsometry, SEM, Dualbeam, XRD, Raman, and IR. Our expertise helps bring a fundamental understanding of materials properties in all phases of product development from designing of new devices, to manufacturing, through to resolving issues in final product. We frequently help evaluate coatings and surface treatments, determine extent of cleanliness, investigate adhesion issues, identify foreign material, and lead failure analysis investigations.
Why is surface science interesting?
My team works with scientists and engineers around the world in all of Medtronic businesses. It is exciting to see the latest technologies and know that they will have an impact in improving the quality of life for so many people. We work with many devices including catheters, stents, drug delivery systems, implantable electrical stimulation devices and leads, and tools for cutting and sealing tissue. A typical day finds us analyzing devices, researching information about materials, processes and methods, interpreting data, writing reports, and constantly communicating with our many Medtronic requestors by email, phone, WebEx, and instant messaging. The variety of work and the fast pace keeps us invigorated. In our industry quality is critical as every device must function properly, so we understand our work is important. We also work in a greater group of materials scientists and collaborate closely with those who have expertise in biocompatibility, polymers, thin films, electronics, electrochemistry, mechanics, and modeling.
Is surface science the only thing you do?
Within Medtronic I have additional leadership responsibilities. Currently I am Chair of the Analytical Lab Council. This organization serves to facilitate communication and collaboration among more than 25 analytical labs across Medtronic globally. We aim to gain efficiencies by identifying best practices in quality, lab information systems, chemical characterization, and sourcing. I also help our Corporate R&D group keep on top of the work going on in all of Medtronic’s businesses. I serve as liaison to one business, the Coronary and Structural Heart business headquartered in Santa Rosa CA and with Medtronic sites located in Santa Ana CA, Redwood City CA, Minneapolis MN, Danvers MA, and Galway Ireland. My role is to communicate with the R&D leaders and employees, keep abreast of technical developments for new devices and therapies with the business, and facilitate finding resources for critical issues.
How do you keep up with the latest developments in surface science?
Outside of Medtronic I try to stay involved with technical organizations and collaborate with academic and government sponsored institutions. I have found that taking on leadership roles with organizations is an easy way to stay abreast of technical developments, as well as a chance to give back to the communities that have fostered my own development. I served on the Board of the National ESCA and Surface Analysis Center for Biomedical Problems at the University of Washington as well as the Characterization Facility at the University of Minnesota. I also have helped organize conferences and symposia locally, nationally and internationally, as well as attend and present at them myself. It takes extra time but colleagues and knowledge gained make it worthwhile.
I also spent the past four years as Editor of the journal Biointerphases. The exciting part of being Editor is seeing manuscripts that demonstrate scientific advances before anyone else does! The role has the responsibility to further understanding of the biointerface by emphasizing quantitative characterization and modelling, which can be very rewarding.
Why do you participate in AVS activities?
With its emphasis on the science and technology of materials, interfaces, and processes, AVS has always been the best resource for technical knowledge in my field. The highly interdisciplinary nature of the organization, especially the applied surface science and biomaterial interfaces aspects, as well as the international participation make AVS very worthwhile. I attended my first AVS Symposium in graduate school in 1992 and have been involved ever since, which has led to many friends, colleagues, and collaborators. I value that through AVS I can find the standards that define how surface science should be done (and the experts that created the standards!) as well as learn of the latest developments, tools, and applications.
I started volunteering through AVS to meet people with similar technical interests and to give back in areas that had benefitted me early in my career. After my post-doc I moved to Minnesota, joined the Minnesota chapter of AVS, and eventually became a Board Member and Chair. With national AVS, I have served on the Executive Committee of the Biomaterial Interfaces Division (BID) and the Applied Surface Science Division (ASSD), as well as Chair of ASSD. Through these roles I gained leadership skills that have helped me grow in my career from independent contributor to organizational influencer and leader. More recently I served as a Director of AVS, and I am currently a Trustee. In 2017 I was honored to be named Fellow of AVS.
AVS is the technical society with the most consecutive annual 5K runs. As a grad student the AVS 5K was the first time I ever received an award for my age group in a race. Looking back, I think the organizer adjusted the age groups so that everyone was a winner, but it made me feel like a hero and inspired me as a runner since then!
How did you get to your current role?
I grew up in Ohio and obtained a B.S. in chemistry from Denison University in Ohio. My Ph.D. is in analytical chemistry with a focus on surface science from the University of North Carolina. I did postdoctoral work at the University of Washington in the Department of Bioengineering. I was a Staff Scientist at Physical Electronics for four years as a TOF-SIMS applications scientist where I had the opportunity to travel to many countries to provide training and technical consultation. Upon joining Medtronic in 2001, I was active in Medtronic’s Technical Forum which promotes knowledge sharing, fosters professional development, and rewards technical innovation. I served as Chair for the organization with 5000 technical participants. Over time I gained confidence in my skills in helping, connecting, and collaborating with others, and my strengths with strategy, organization, and execution. As a result of being involved across Medtronic’s businesses as well as representing Medtronic externally, I was elected to Medtronic’s two honorary technical organizations, the Technical Fellows and the Bakken Society.
Do you have time for hobbies?
My family is my love and I spend every spare moment with my two daughters (ages 9 and 12), husband, and dog. Together we spend time hiking, skiing, and volunteering in the community. I enjoy running, and frequently bike to work. It’s not often that equal time spent is between work and personal activities, but small moments in a day add up to much satisfaction!