Riley Improves Lives at the Crossroads Between Technology and Medicine

Originally from Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, I came to South Bend in June of 2021 to attend the University of Notre Dame, where I earned a M.S. in Engineering, Science, and Technology Entrepreneurship (ESTEEM). This educational pursuit equipped me with a new toolkit for entrepreneurship and innovation–along with a new perspective on how I might leverage my career and skillset for meaningful impact.

Growing up in a family mainly consisting of doctors and dentists, I had substantial exposure to the healthcare field. Even at a young age, I was drawn to this path because it seemed like the most direct way to improve lives and support communities. I decided that, like many others in my family, I would also pursue a career in medicine—and, upon enrolling in undergraduate studies, I chose to develop my understanding of biological sciences to prepare myself for medical school.

This education exposed me to other aspects of medicine and health, specifically medical research and its resultant new technologies. I began to comprehend the power of exploring the intersection of technology and medicine and the immense potential for innovative thinking to improve the health of the masses. This realization, coupled with the frustrations I experienced while working in the healthcare industry in New York City at the height of the pandemic, led me to consider how I could make a change in my career that would facilitate a greater sense of personal fulfillment while also scaling up the potential community impact of my work.

So, I decided to quit my job as an ocular tissue procurement technician, apply to the ESTEEM program, and relocate to South Bend.

Within a year of making this move, I had the opportunity to learn and work at the intersection of business, technology, and entrepreneurship—both as a consultant for a Series B Medtech startup and as a co-founder of my own startup, heARsight. The space that exists at the convergence of these industries excites me because of its ever-evolving needs and opportunities, capacity for rapid growth, and potential for impact that can scale from local to global. As I approached graduation, I knew I wanted to find a new career that allowed me to work at this crossroads.

With accelerated progress towards major milestones at my startup and trust in the regional entrepreneurial ecosystem and its resources, I decided to stay in South Bend to continue to pursue this venture. I am grateful for the opportunity that enFocus presents in which I can continue building my own company while also working on projects focused on strengthening the ecosystem from which it benefits and the community that I now call home.