FrontLine innovator shares insights at Lynda Shaw Memorial Lecture

Asha Parekh, PhD’15 Biomedical, a distinguished alum of Western Engineering and co-founder and CEO of FrontLine Medical Technologies , delivered an inspiring talk at Western Engineering's Lynda Shaw Memorial Lecture on Thursday, March 7, 2024.

The lecture series is held annually to commemorate the life and legacy of Lynda Shaw, a promising engineering asha-ins student whose life was tragically cut short in 1990. It aims to inspire and motivate excellence, diversity, equality and inclusion in the engineering and scientific community. Today, Shaw is remembered for her academic excellence, leadership and dedication to her studies.

In her address, Parekh paid tribute to Lynda Shaw's profound influence on her life and career, aligning her reflections with the theme of International Women's Day: "Invest in women: Accelerate progress." She remarked, "When I think of Lynda’s journey, I think what makes it still harder to process, personally, is that what happened to her had nothing to do with her path in life. I think I can collectively say that we are all still very moved and sorry about Lynda’s story, especially to her loved ones for having to experience that."

Parekh shared insights from her entrepreneurial journey , underscoring the significance of empowering women in STEM. A graduate of Western Engineering's Biomedical program, Parekh shared how her passion for engineering led her to co-found FrontLine, a company focused on developing life-saving medical devices. Drawing from her experiences in academia and entrepreneurship, Parekh emphasized the importance of pursuing one's passions without succumbing to societal or cultural pressures.

"Engineering is still a largely male-dominated field," Parekh remarked, recalling her own experiences as one of the few women in her undergraduate classes. "But rather than focusing on achieving a numerical balance, we should strive to create equal opportunities and raise awareness at an earlier age."

Parekh's entrepreneurial journey was marked by moments of reflection and self-discovery. She shared how her decision to embark on the path of entrepreneurship was driven by a desire to make a meaningful impact and help others. Despite the uncertainties and challenges she faced, Parekh remained steadfast in her commitment to realizing her vision.

"Our device can ultimately save patients' suffering in these types of situations, but it also has a broader social impact," Parekh explained, referring to FrontLine's innovative medical device, the COBRA-OS. "Saving lives not only impacts individuals but also their families, friends and communities."

The COBRA-OS can be used to help several patient populations survive, including trauma, where it prevents patients from bleeding out and is used in both civilian and military settings, such as in motor vehicle accidents or on the battlefield.

The COBRA-OS is also used to control postpartum hemorrhage, which is blood loss that can occur after a mother gives birth and affects over 14 million women annually.

Throughout her lecture, Parekh imparted valuable lessons and insights gained from her journey as a leader in the male-dominated field of engineering. She encouraged women to embrace their authenticity, assert their voices and seize opportunities for growth.  

"In reflecting on your strengths and passions, consider how you market yourself," Parekh advised the students in attendance. "Everyone's path is different, and it should be right for you."

Parekh further emphasized the importance of self-confidence and authenticity in navigating the professional world. "When you're not used to being confident, confidence can feel like arrogance," she observed. "But that’s why you shouldn’t use your comfort zone as a benchmark to move forward.”

"As we continue to work towards investing in women, let us thank Lynda for the contributions she was able to make with her investments," Parekh concluded. "I hope that this was as good of an investment of your time as it was for me, and I thank you for sharing your energy with me today."

The Lynda Shaw Memorial Lecture Series not only commemorates the legacy of a remarkable individual but also serves as a platform to empower and inspire future generations of women in engineering. It carries forward Lynda's legacy of dedication, enthusiasm and leadership in alignment with the International Women's Day theme of investing in women to accelerate progress.

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(Second row, from left) Devon Bradley, Women in Engineering president, Natalie Loewen (seated) Lynda Shaw Memorial Award recipient, Asha Parekh (far right) with Dean Ken Coley (back, far right) and the Lynda Shaw Family. (Jacob Arts/ Western Engineering photo)