An unexpected and enriching encounter between Willem van Meurs, a simulator inventor, and Isabel Garcia, a biomedical engineering student. During a delayed flight, they shared insights about their respective fields, life experiences, and ambitions. Willem, returning from meetings in Florence, found a potential proofreader for his new textbook in Isabel. Isabel, inspired by Willem’s career and global adventures, is now more determined than ever to pursue international opportunities.
His perspective
After two days of intense meetings in Florence during which we had discussed our almost finished book, Learning physiology in context, and started preliminary conversations about a new one, Textbook of medical simulator technology, I returned to the south of France. Of course the flight from Florence to Paris had delays. On our way in, the pilot had proudly announced that this was the shortest runway in their network and that they were going to use the brakes. It felt like landing on an aircraft carrier! On the clean corner of an otherwise sticky table in the lounge, Rich, lead author on the physiology book, and I penciled down an outline of the final chapter we had discussed with editor-in-chief Pier Luigi. By that time, I felt exhausted. While waiting for departure, I noticed a smart looking young lady who was reading a thick paper book. It turned out she was sitting next to me. When it became clear that we were not going to catch up on our delays, I asked her if she had a connecting flight. She did. One to Detroit, Michigan, and then one to Columbus, Ohio, where she studied. “What do you study?” “Biomedical engineering, undergrad.” “Oh, I have done a bit of that as well.” I forgot I was tired. She was enjoying her studies, but did not have a clear vision of where to apply what she was learning. Before diving into that – I have a tendency to get carried away on the subject – and to break the generational ice a bit, I told her about my children and their graduate studies and first employments. She was surprised by my psychologist son who is now a successful acrobat and stuntman in Paris (I had a place to go if I missed my connection). At the time, my daughter, a translator and French teacher, wanted to go and teach in Kazakhstan. Then I told her about the field of medical simulation-based training. The first time she heard about it. One more reason to write a textbook, I thought. But she immediately appreciated it, especially the fact that medical students no longer train on dogs and sheep, and residents on real patients. Towards the end of our very animated conversation, I showed her the working copy of my autobiography, The dolls’ engineer. Because of the annotations in preparation of an e-book, I could not give it to her, but gave her my email. A few days after her return to the States, I got a very friendly email with the subject: “Nice to meet you!” I offered to send her a copy. Isabel and her mom, a mechanical engineer, are now both reading my book. On my connecting flight to the Pyrenees, I realized that she would be a close to perfect proofreader for the new textbook. Stay put if you wonder where this encounter will lead us!
Willem van Meurs
Simulator inventor
And hers
In my senior year of high school I had no clue what I wanted to major in. Biology was my favorite subject, but I didn’t want it to be the sole focus of my education. I assumed I wouldn’t be successful in engineering because I’ve struggled with math my whole life. I was focusing on college athletics, but rather suddenly decided that it would be academics instead. The summer before college I heard from a friend about the major “biomedical engineering”. I really liked the combination between biology and engineering. Although I wasn’t certain I would make it past my freshman year, I decided to pursue anyway. After lots of late night studying and hours at the library, I was selected to be in the major at Ohio State University (OSU). I quickly realized that biomedical engineering is such a unique and incredible way to help people and save lives. Its applications are so diverse and broad and there are seemingly endless opportunities from healthcare to research. I haven’t decided yet what my future work will be, but I am constantly learning about new technologies and treatments, and am excited about the future. As I boarded the flight for my first solo trip abroad, I became more confident and, although it didn’t seem plausible at the time, started thinking about living and working outside the U.S.. The conversation with Willem inspired me to take more chances and be more ambitious. Hearing about his work all over the world stimulated me to establish more connections and explore additional possibilities. I remember him mentioning programs and ways to work and study abroad and encouraging me to do so. Now that I am headed to my last year of college, I have begun the international job search. I loved his book! It felt like an extension of our conversation on the airplane and I really enjoyed reading more about his journey. I think that it is great that he followed his heart to find what he truly wanted to do in life and it is incredibly inspiring to see the accomplishments that came from passion and hard work. It was also nice to see his love of music following him all around the globe. A very interesting read indeed! I am now working in a lab to understand the complexities of Glioblastoma, a type of brain cancer, here at OSU and loving it. I hope Willem’s and my paths will cross again sometime in the future.
Isabel Garcia
Biomedical engineering student
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