Driving life-changing discoveries

Driving life-changing discoveries

A brief perspective: The partnership between Boston Scientific and the University of Minnesota has brought together some of the brightest minds in the field, while also developing the next generation of industry leaders. Throughout the years, Boston Scientific has invested in the U of M in ways that align with both the company’s priorities and the U of M’s strengths.

Investment: More than $22 million since 1978; includes more than $8 million as part of the Driven 10-year fundraising campaign, which ended in 2021.

A partnership that makes a difference: The company served as a key partner in developing the Virtual Prototyping Lab at the Earl E. Bakken Medical Devices Center, which generated multiple joint patents in consecutive projects. In early 2017, surgeons and doctors used the lab to take virtual tours through the hearts of conjoined twins Paisleigh and Paislyn Martinez. The technology allowed doctors to see three-dimensional images of the twins’ anatomy, revealing a previously unseen bridge between the two tiny hearts. The team successfully separated the three-month-old twins in a nine-hour surgery in May 2017.

Additional partnership highlights:

  • Support of engineering students through the Boston Scientific Scholarship
  • Graduate fellowships in multiple areas
  • Renovation of Lind Hall and the Physics and Nanotechnology Building
  • Support of student athletes
  • Medical research
  • MnDRIVE projects
  • Membership in the Carlson School of Management’s Medical Industry Leadership Institute
  • Advisory board service in engineering, children’s health, and nanotechnology

What U of M and Boston Scientific leaders are saying: 

“Boston Scientific has a long history of supporting College of Science and Engineering students through scholarships and the hiring of our graduates. They have made a statement that they support our students’ development by encouraging leadership, diversity initiatives, and mentorship. The Boston Scientific logo resonates with literally thousands of our graduates in majors like electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, biomedical engineering, chemical engineering, industrial and systems engineering, and computer science.” —Paul Strykowski, associate dean for undergraduate programs, College of Science and Engineering 

"We're proud to partner with the U to develop technologies and solutions that save lives, and to continue to position our state as a national and global hub for medical technology innovation. We're equally excited to develop the next generation of industry leaders by supporting and engaging promising students who will clearly make a large and positive impact in our community and across the globe for years to come." —Randy Schiestl, vice president, research and development (global technology)