# 97 - Medical device packaging and the IoPP with Jennifer Benolken from Dupont

- Show: [People of Packaging](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging)
- Published: 2022-01-11
- Length: 39m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2022-01-11-97-medical-device-packaging-and-the-iopp-with-jennifer-benolken-from-dupont
- Listen: https://encase.substack.com/p/97-medical-device-packaging-and-the-bf7

## Summary

Jennifer Benolken, a MDM and regulatory specialist for packaging engineering at DuPont and a board member of the Institute of Packaging Professionals (IoPP), discusses her 30-year career in medical device packaging. She explains how her co-op experience at a cardiac pacemaker manufacturer sparked her passion for the field and highlights the importance of being a generalist in a specialized industry. Benolken also details her work with Kilmer Innovations in Packaging (KIP) to solve 'wicked problems' and encourages students to enter the packaging industry.

## Chapters

- [0:11](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2022-01-11-97-medical-device-packaging-and-the-iopp-with-jennifer-benolken-from-dupont#t=11) Introduction and Guest Background
- [4:26](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2022-01-11-97-medical-device-packaging-and-the-iopp-with-jennifer-benolken-from-dupont#t=266) Co-op Education and Early Career at Guidant
- [11:10](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2022-01-11-97-medical-device-packaging-and-the-iopp-with-jennifer-benolken-from-dupont#t=670) Career Path: Sales, Engineering, and DuPont
- [19:45](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2022-01-11-97-medical-device-packaging-and-the-iopp-with-jennifer-benolken-from-dupont#t=1185) The Generalist vs. Specialist Debate
- [26:04](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2022-01-11-97-medical-device-packaging-and-the-iopp-with-jennifer-benolken-from-dupont#t=1564) Kilmer Innovations in Packaging (KIP) and Wicked Problems
- [31:01](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2022-01-11-97-medical-device-packaging-and-the-iopp-with-jennifer-benolken-from-dupont#t=1861) Advice for Students and Industry Passion

## Topics

- [Careers & education](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/engineering-careers-and-education)
- [Medical & health devices](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/medical-devices)
- [Maker community & events](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/maker-community)
- [Sustainability & circular products](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sustainability-and-circularity)

## Most relevant to

large enterprises

## Mentioned

- DuPont (company)
- Institute of Packaging Professionals (company)
- Kettering University (other)
- Guidant (company)
- Boston Scientific (company)
- St. Jude Medical (company)
- Smith's Medical (company)
- Kilmer Innovations in Packaging (company)
- Johnson and Johnson (company)
- Tyvek (product)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [S6E51 Eric Richins | What It's Like Being A Packaging Engineer](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2025-12-19-s6e51-eric-richins-what-its-like-being-a-packaging-engineer) (Being an Engineer)
- [305: Humans Have a Terrible Spec Sheet](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2019-10-03-305-humans-have-a-terrible-spec-sheet) (Embedded.fm)
- [S1E31 Feedback From the Floor, Purdue, & Toothpaste Boxes | Kirsty Crofton](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2020-08-21-s1e31-feedback-from-the-floor-purdue-toothpaste-boxes-kirsty-crofton) (Being an Engineer)
- [S5E9 Jon Montcrief | Medical Device Engineering Leaders 8](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2024-03-01-s5e9-jon-montcrief-medical-device-engineering-leaders-8) (Being an Engineer)
- [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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