From Education to Expertise: Meghan Davis

This series spotlights the careers of recent alumni from graduate programs in the School of Engineering.

After a conversation with Executive Director of the Tufts Gordon Institute Kevin Oye, Meghan Davis, E23, EG25, knew the Dual Degree Master’s Program at Tufts University was right for her. “I wanted to surround myself with people like Kevin–people who would push me intellectually, champion my goals, and teach me how to advocate for what I believe in,” she said. “He took the time to understand my academic interests, but he was also interested in what I was passionate about outside of the university.”

This kind of supportive faculty mentorship is common at Tufts. Davis fostered close connections in the School of Engineering and on the cross-country team at Tufts during her undergraduate years. In graduate school, she continued strengthening these relationships and growing new ones, particularly through Tufts Gordon Institute.

Students in the Dual Degree Master’s Program earn two graduate degrees, one from an academic department in the School of Engineering and one from Tufts Gordon Institute. Davis chose to deepen her expertise in biomedical engineering while earning a Master’s in Innovation and Management (MSIM). Other Dual Degree options from Tufts Gordon Institute include the Master’s in Engineering Management and the Master’s in Technology, Management, and Leadership.

The MSIM program centers around three ‘innovation sprints’ during which students create viable solutions to tackle real-world problems. Davis drew from her biomedical background to launch a medical technology startup in collaboration with classmates. Although she had a strong knowledge base in biomedical engineering, she was new to the business world. She faced challenges she’d never expected to face, like pitching her ideas in front of large crowds at new venture competitions and interacting with investors to secure funding.

At each step along the way, her coursework scaffolded her practical experience. “The MSIM program does a great job of offering courses directly related to each facet of a startup, like marketing and finance,” said Davis.

Davis appreciated the versatility she had in choosing her career path thanks to the Dual Degree Program. “Gaining expertise in both business management and biomedical engineering through the dual degree program expanded employment options for me, granting me the choice to move towards a career in business, engineering, or a blend of both disciplines.”

With first-hand insight into entrepreneurial endeavors from her MSIM experience and an advanced level of scientific knowledge from her master’s in biomedical engineering, Davis is well-positioned for her current role on the Scientific and Strategic Investments team at the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center (MLSC), where she helps scientists secure research funding.

The program also helped her develop skills that eased her transition to a full-time career. “I found that moving into a startup role right after completing the MSIM program was manageable, as startup work requires team members to wear multiple hats: something that the dual degree prepared me well for,” she said.

Since its creation in 2007, the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center has strategically deployed more than $2.6 billion in Massachusetts, through a combination of grants, loans, capital infrastructure investments, tax incentives, and workforce programs. These investments have created thousands of jobs and propelled the development of new therapies, devices, and scientific advancements that are improving patient health and well-being in Massachusetts and around the world.

Towards the end of her dual degree program, Davis balanced evening graduate courses with an internship at the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center. The internship eventually led to a full-time position and Davis has since had the opportunity to take the lead on two new programs in the organization.

Davis emphasized the importance of finding the right fit when it comes to graduate school. “Talk to the directors and professors that will be teaching you,” she advised. “Beyond course descriptions, you can get a great sense of the program from the people who will be teaching you. If you don’t connect well, or if it feels forced, maybe the program isn’t best suited for you.”

The Tufts Career Center provided invaluable support for Davis as she figured out the transition from her undergraduate education to graduate school. “The best advice that the career center gave me was, ‘You can get anywhere from anywhere.’ There is no rush. You will be working for your entire life. It’s worth investing the time now figuring out where you want to start,” she said.

Interested in learning more about graduate programs in the School of Engineering? Request information or apply now.