Faculty
“Professionals, not Professors“
The MS-MedTech faculty bring deep, hands-on experience in the development and commercialization of medical devices. Their teaching bridges theory and practice, drawing from real-world challenges encountered across the full product lifecycle—from early development through regulatory approval, distribution, and post-market monitoring. Throughout the program, students also learn from a wide network of industry experts specializing in areas such as quality systems, regulatory strategy, intellectual property, combination products, advanced manufacturing, and more. With over 20 guest lecturers and regular opportunities to engage with venture capitalists and seasoned entrepreneurs, students gain both knowledge and valuable connections that extend far beyond the classroom.
Executive Director, MS-MedTech
Professor, Lampe Department of Biomedical Engineering
Adjunct Professor, UNC Department of Microbiology & Immunology and Eschelman School of Pharmacy
Dr. Zaharoff holds a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Illinois and a Ph.D. from Duke University, with postdoctoral training in tumor immunology at the National Cancer Institute. Leading the ImmunoEngineering Lab, his research focuses on biomaterials-based immunotherapy and vaccine delivery for cancer, infectious diseases, and esophageal disorders. Dr. Zaharoff founded the MS-MedTech program and continues to provide leadership and mentorship to students.
Director, MS-MedTech & Associate Professor of the Practice
Former Managing Principal Engineer, Noah Medical
Matt is a seasoned product design and innovation manager known for his ability to translate clinical insights into groundbreaking healthcare solutions and intellectual property, including 38 issued patents. In his prior industry roles, Matt led innovation projects, challenged teams to deliver exceptional clinical value, often via surgical robots. He provides mentorship across disciplines, fostering growth for technical and non-technical team members.
Adjunct Lecturer, MS-MedTech
Assistant Director, R&D, Innovation at Becton Dickinson
Nick has spent his entire 19+ year career in the medical device industry and has worked on devices across all classifications, ranging from simple disposables to complex robotic systems to cardiac implants. He has experience in innovation, development and sustaining while helping to launch products in the US and abroad. He leads the BME 503 class, mentoring students through a structure medical device development process as they progress towards verification and validation.
Adjunct Lecturer, MS-MedTech
Director of Integrated Systems, Gilero, a Sanner Group Company
John brings over 15 years of medical device experience developing breakthrough technologies from early-stage concept to production scale-up. For the last 9 years, he has worked for a contract engineering firm supporting both startups and Fortune 500 companies to resolve unmet clinical needs with combination drug-device products. As Director of Integration Systems, John leads a group of systems, software, and electrical engineers and manages a portfolio of electro-mechanical projects. John leads the medical device materials and manufacturing course (BME 504) which includes multiple industry leaders alongside hands-on design and fabrication, culminating with a finished, packaged medical device capstone project.
Adjunct Lecturer, MS-MedTech
Director, NC State Industrial Design Graduate Program
Kelly has industry experience in both engineering research focusing on biomechanics and human movement with applications ranging from gait analysis and rehabilitation to sports science and aquatics, and in industrial design with a focus in the medical device industry. Kelly’s experience in product design has always been human-centric, from acquiring user needs, translating those needs into viable products, and verifying and validating designs through usability testing. In academia, Kelly’s research interests focus on maternity care, medical device development, and human-centered design.
Adjunct Lecturer, MS-MedTech
Group President, Biomerics Micro Metals Division
Arun is a seasoned Medtech Executive with 15+ years of leadership across product development, marketing, strategy, and operations. In his role as Group President at Biomerics Micro Metals, he oversees precision metal manufacturing for minimally invasive devices. In previous roles, including Corza Medical and Asensus Surgical, Arun developed deep expertise in global marketing, commercial strategy, and M&A. Arun taught our summer needs finding course in 2024 and remains involved, mentoring future innovators in medtech entrepreneurship and the Biodesign process.