From Campus to the Beats of Innovation: UC Irvine Scholars Tour Edwards Lifesciences

At the heart of our mission is a commitment to connecting academic excellence with real-world opportunity. On September 26, that vision came to life as our Scholars embarked on an extraordinary behind-the-scenes tour of Edwards Lifesciences, a global leader in cardiovascular innovation located right here in our backyard in Irvine.

Thanks to the leadership of Juan Carlos Velez, Vice President of Engineering at Edwards Lifesciences and Co-Chair of the UCI-OC Alliance Health Affairs Committee, students were immersed in a dynamic learning experience that connected classroom theory with cutting-edge industry practice. From witnessing the development of life-saving heart-valve technologies to engaging in candid conversations with professionals across disciplines, our scholars gained invaluable insights into the intersection of engineering, healthcare and innovation.

During the visit, students enjoyed a complimentary lunch while engaging in meaningful conversations with industry professionals, learning about their diverse career journeys and discovering the profound impact their work has on patient care worldwide. Following lunch, scholars received a special sneak peek of Edwards' Excellence Center, where the company focuses on developing their next and best product line. Students then had the opportunity to witness a demonstration of how AI is used to improve process efficiencies and lastly observed how bovine pericardial tissue is treated to create their lifesaving transcatheter heart valve.

More than a tour, for our students this experience was a moment of transformation. Students saw firsthand how their academic pursuits can translate into meaningful careers that improve lives. They left not only with a deeper understanding of biotechnology, but also with renewed motivation to pursue excellence and equity in their own journeys.

We are deeply grateful to Edwards Lifesciences for their partnership and for investing in the future of our students. These collaborations exemplify the power of community, and we invite other industry leaders to join us in opening doors for the next generation of changemakers.

If your company is interested in hosting a tour for UC Irvine students, please contact Maria G. Cervantes at Maria.Cervantes@uci.edu.