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Biomedical engineer Chelsea Cornelius from Wahgunyah took out the Medical Technology Association of Australia’s outstanding achievement award which recognised her role in developing a system that treats urinary incontinence.
Chelsea Cornelius, who is the Product Development Manager of Analytica, told the Free Press she was honoured to have received such a prestigious award.
“I feel very fortunate to be able to make a difference in women's lives through PeriCoach and would like to thank Analytica and Geoff Daly for playing a big part in my journey so far,” she said.
“I love what I do and am excited to be part of MedTech in Australia, which is on the crest of something extraordinary.
“When I found out I had been shortlisted as a finalist for the award, the other finalist being a radiation oncologist with 20 years’ experience, I was deeply honoured and to ultimately win the award, I was blown away.
“This is an illustrious award given out by Australia’s vital industry body, the MTAA and it truly highlights the importance of the product I’m proud to be a part of.”
Chelsea said that the PeriCoach idea was brought to the Brisbane-based Analytica Company nearly six years ago which provided a great opportunity for a female engineer to design a female health product.
“After researching the area, I was stunned to find the prevalence of incontinence in women (1 in 3), and how little I had heard of it to date,” she said.
“Once I started talking to women and clinicians, we realised there was real potential here to make a difference in women’s lives – there was a treatment for the condition and we could create the product to do it.
“The PeriCoach is now a complete system – it has an insertable device, smartphone app and data management system which allows women to track their progress and share the information with their provider if they choose.”
In her nomination Chelsea was described as a motivational young woman and an asset to her industry field.
“Combining Arts (Cultural Studies) and Engineering (Mechanical) at university seemed like an unusual double degree to most, but Chelsea Cornelius saw the advantage of gaining a better understanding of the human condition – the history, motivation, psychology – in order to provide innovative and relevant engineering solutions throughout her career,” her nominee said.
“Following this double degree, Chelsea specialised in Biomedical Engineering by completing that Masters at Melbourne University, fuelled by her experience working in a physiotherapy clinic and seeing the need for technological advances in health.
“She has quickly worked her way from Junior Engineer to Project Manager to Product Development and Operations Manager in seven years in her company, Analytica Ltd, demonstrating her drive for progress and efficiency. “
Chelsea’s nominee went on to highlight her passion for women’s health.
“Participating in all parts of the life cycle of the unique system – from feasibility, prototyping and design, to quality assurance, regulatory affairs and customer engagement and service – she has been able to gain invaluable experience in all aspects of product development and supply and has realised the potential for exponential growth in technology for women’s health,” they said.
“While she is passionate about her work and the biomedical industry, Chelsea strives to maintain a work-life balance by enjoying other activities such as travel, wakeboarding, and racing speedway.”