# S5E25 Erica Kahn | Ophthalmology Device Design & Being Laid Off

- Show: [Being an Engineer](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer)
- Published: 2024-06-21
- Length: 43m
- Episode: 25
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2024-06-21-s5e25-erica-kahn-ophthalmology-device-design-being-laid-off
- Listen: https://teampipeline.us/erica-kahn-device-design/

## Summary

Erica Kahn, a biomedical engineer formerly of Ocular Therapeutix, discusses her work developing hydrogel technologies for treating wet macular degeneration and her recent unexpected layoff. She explains how her team used Higuchi kinetics modeling to accelerate formulation development for a sustained-release drug implant, bypassing lengthy in vivo studies. Kahn shares her emotional journey through job loss, emphasizing the importance of leveraging professional networks via LinkedIn and maintaining 'kindergarten skills' like empathy to secure support and new opportunities.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2024-06-21-s5e25-erica-kahn-ophthalmology-device-design-being-laid-off#t=0) Introduction: Erica Kahn and the Open to Work Series
- [2:50](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2024-06-21-s5e25-erica-kahn-ophthalmology-device-design-being-laid-off#t=170) Engineering Background and Ocular Therapeutix
- [4:19](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2024-06-21-s5e25-erica-kahn-ophthalmology-device-design-being-laid-off#t=259) Hydrogel Technology for Wet Macular Degeneration
- [13:44](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2024-06-21-s5e25-erica-kahn-ophthalmology-device-design-being-laid-off#t=824) Accelerating R&D with Higuchi Kinetics Modeling
- [22:37](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2024-06-21-s5e25-erica-kahn-ophthalmology-device-design-being-laid-off#t=1357) Coping with Layoff and Emotional Processing
- [27:36](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2024-06-21-s5e25-erica-kahn-ophthalmology-device-design-being-laid-off#t=1656) Leveraging Networks and Soft Skills for Job Search
- [35:38](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2024-06-21-s5e25-erica-kahn-ophthalmology-device-design-being-laid-off#t=2138) Career Advice and Future Outlook

## Topics

- [Careers & education](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/engineering-careers-and-education)
- [Materials & manufacturing processes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/materials-and-processes)
- [Leadership, teams & culture](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/leadership-and-culture)
- [Medical & health devices](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/medical-devices)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Ocular Therapeutix (company)
- Eylea (product)
- Pipeline Design & Engineering (company)
- Menlo Innovations (company)
- Sanofi (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [194 - Drug Delivery Innovation, Networking in Pharma, and Building a Career That Matters with Mike Denzer](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lets-combinate/2025-06-25-194-drug-delivery-innovation-networking-in-pharma-and-building-a-career-that-mat) (Let's Combinate)
- [150 - Ocular/Ophthalmic Drug Delivery, Intravitreal Administration, Glaucoma, WetAMD, Vision, Range and Presence with Maysaa Attar](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lets-combinate/2024-08-21-150-ocular-ophthalmic-drug-delivery-intravitreal-administration-glaucoma-wetamd) (Let's Combinate)
- [Meet a Guru: Ryan Behringer](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/global-medical-device-podcast/2021-07-14-meet-a-guru-ryan-behringer) (Global Medical Device Podcast)
- [030 - "Why Don't I Try?" with Marc Koska](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lets-combinate/2022-04-27-030-why-dont-i-try-with-marc-koska) (Let's Combinate)
- [Meet a Guru: Etienne Nichols](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/global-medical-device-podcast/2021-05-24-meet-a-guru-etienne-nichols) (Global Medical Device Podcast)

## Citing this page

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