Winston Tan
Minneapolis,MN
Summary
Innovative Associate R&D Director with a proven track record of managing high-impact ablation product portfolios. Skilled in driving strategic initiatives to enhance business growth, streamline operations, and boost product performance. Known for cultivating collaborative, knowledge-sharing environments that foster innovation and team excellence. Eager to contribute to a forward-thinking organization seeking dynamic leadership and expertise in medical device R&D.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
Work History
Associate R&D Director / Sr. R&D Manager
Boston Scientific Corporation
10.2016 - Current
- Served as Subject Matter Expert (SME) in developing products across multiple ablation modalities, providing technical leadership and ensuring alignment with industry best practices and regulatory standards.
- Contributed to setting strategic direction and driving exploratory initiatives, with three exploratory projects advancing beyond the assessment phase to active development.
- Initiated and led the closed-loop cryoablation project, driving it from a conceptual "white space" idea to a fully developed and approved project within the product portfolio.
- Spearheaded the launch of the short cryoablation probe, successfully navigating the BSC Product Development Process to deliver a high-quality product on schedule.
- Directed global sustaining efforts for single-use devices and capital equipment, coordinating with cross-functional teams in Israel and China to ensure seamless operations.
- Led the NPDE Robust Engineering initiative to enhance the technical expertise of the product development team, implementing best practices and training programs that strengthened engineering competencies and innovation capabilities.
- Led and managed cross-functional R&D teams in designing and developing single-use devices and capital equipment for cryoablation and microwave systems.
- Directed R&D teams for clot management systems, overseeing product innovations for EKOS and AutoElite.
- Developed and implemented design strategies, technical test plans, and validation methods to ensure high-quality product performance and regulatory compliance.
- Spearheaded the development and successful launch of cryoablation needles and systems, delivering a compact cryoablation system within 12 months.
- Planned and executed MRI-compatible cryoablation needles and capital equipment product lines, enhancing product compatibility and market differentiation.
- Drove commercializing microwave ablation systems from concept to market launch, including needles and capital equipment.
- Established and managed production pilot lines for microwave needles, ensuring a seamless transition from R&D to manufacturing.
- Formulated IP strategies and developed patent claims to protect key innovations.
- Collaborated with industrial design teams to enhance capital equipment's user experience and design aesthetics.
- Mentored and coached team members on technical growth, career development, and leadership capabilities, fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
- Supervised daily operations of a 15-member team, managing resource allocation, task delegation, and performance oversight.
- Executed staffing plans and managed budgets to align with business forecasts and strategic priorities.
Product Development Manager
3M Healthcare
01.2013 - 10.2016
- Directed a 10-person team in the development of electro-mechanical healthcare devices, contributing to a $300M business portfolio.
- Led outcome-driven innovation efforts by conducting in-depth research, analysis, and evaluations to inform product development strategies.
- Captured the voice of the customer through ethnographic research and insights to align products with market needs and improve user experience.
- Evaluated emerging technologies in a collaborative team setting, integrating new concepts into the product development pipeline to maintain a competitive edge.
- Developed IP strategies and conducted competitive assessments to strengthen the company’s intellectual property portfolio.
- Directed test lab operations, including the review of test plans, reports, and the implementation of best practices to ensure robust product validation.
- Established new lab capabilities to support advanced testing and enhance product development efficiencies.
- Mentored and guided direct reports, fostering professional growth and technical expertise within the team.
- Managed and reviewed product development budgets, expenditures, and research investments to maintain alignment with business objectives.
- Identified and resolved product issues by gathering and analyzing customer feedback to drive continuous improvement.
- Approved final product photography and marketing materials, ensuring alignment with branding and product positioning.
- Contributed to future product development by drafting comprehensive marketing requirements documentation that aligned with stakeholder goals and market trends.
R&D Manager
Arizant Healthcare
01.2008 - 12.2012
- Managed a team of engineers and technicians in the development of Bair Hugger brand consumables, including air distribution blankets, gowns, and fluid warming sets, ensuring high-quality product outcomes.
- Developed and managed project timelines, budgets, and deliverables, aligning expectations with business goals and stakeholder requirements.
- Assessed and analyzed innovative concepts for potential commercialization, contributing to a robust product development pipeline.
- Led a 10-person team through the end-to-end development of a blood-warming product, from initial concept to successful market release.
- Authored and reviewed product design specifications and test reports to ensure compliance with regulatory and performance standards.
- Facilitated the seamless integration of Arizant’s laboratory operations and processes into 3M’s system, optimizing workflows and ensuring alignment with corporate protocols.
Education
Ph.D. - Mechanical Engineering
University of Minnesota
Minneapolis, MNMBA - Operations Management
University of St. Thomas
Saint Paul, MNMaster of Science - Mechanical Engineering
University of Minnesota
Minneapolis, MNBachelor of Science - Mechanical Engineering
University of Minnesota
Minneapolis, MNSkills
- Proven R&D leadership with expertise in managing high-performance teams
- Excellent managerial techniques for driving operational efficiency and innovation
- Collaborative manager who fosters a culture of open communication and teamwork
- In-depth knowledge of thermal science and medical device product development
- Skilled in regulatory compliance, including 510(k) submissions and CE marking for Class II medical devices
Leadership & Management:
Technical Expertise:
- Expertise in design, testing, and commercialization of ablation and electro-mechanical healthcare systems
- Adept at applying creativity to solve complex technical challenges
- Track record of successfully developing novel solutions for cryoablation and microwave systems
- Strong written and verbal communication for technical documentation, stakeholder engagement, and mentoring
- Effective in organizing and prioritizing projects to meet tight deadlines and strategic objectives
Innovation & Creativity:
Communication & Organizational Skills:
Accomplishments
Intellectual Property:
- Holder of 10 patents and patent applications related to innovations in medical device technology.
Publications:
- Authored three peer-reviewed journal publications in technical and biomedical research fields.
Awards & Recognitions:
- BSC Meaningful Innovation Award for contributions to product development and innovation.
- 3M Technical Excellence Award for outstanding achievements in R&D leadership.
- University of Minnesota Mechanical Engineering "TA of the Year" Award for exceptional teaching.
Academic Achievement:
- Thesis: "Heat-transfer-based Biomedical Devices: Synergistic Numerical Simulations and Experimentation".
Certifications:
- Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Certification for expertise in process improvement and operational efficiency.
Timeline
Associate R&D Director / Sr. R&D Manager
Boston Scientific Corporation
10.2016 - Current
Product Development Manager
3M Healthcare
01.2013 - 10.2016
R&D Manager
Arizant Healthcare
01.2008 - 12.2012
Ph.D. - Mechanical Engineering
University of Minnesota
MBA - Operations Management
University of St. Thomas
Master of Science - Mechanical Engineering
University of Minnesota
Bachelor of Science - Mechanical Engineering
University of Minnesota
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