Diversifying into Robotics with Miranda Abrahams, An American in Germany

22 Jun

“I would just put a lot of food in there”

After qualifying in the US and working in equine practice for a few years, Miranda moved to Germany and joined a company where she diversified into robotics! Miranda is still in love with horses. Despite the life-changing move, she hasn't lost her 'veterinary' identity.

Miranda’s story of diversifying is becoming more and more popular in the veterinary industry, but it is still an extraordinary one. Her parents do not come from the veterinary world, but she chose veterinary because 'I love science and animals’. Perhaps the truest and most concise reason we do this job.

First, I would like to know a bit more about you. Are you and your family from where you work now? When did you qualify as a veterinarian and why did you choose this profession? Does it run in the family?

I grew up in Maryland, right outside of Washington DC in the USA. Graduated in 2010 from Purdue (Indiana, USA). No one else in my family is a veterinarian, but we always had some pets growing up, and I started riding horses when I was 6 (got totally hooked and never stopped!). I am pretty typical of many vets I think in that I always loved animals, liked science, and pretty much decided I wanted to be a vet as soon as I knew it was a career one could have.

Then, I would like you to tell me about your day. What's a normal day at work for you? Do you work independently, for a private firm or for the government?
-In my current (robotics) job, my typical days mostly consist of doing lab work, with animal models or cadaver tissue and whichever medical device we are working on at that moment, working with other engineers to develop new instruments and improve existing technology, interfacing with human physicians to find out what the clinical need is in their practices, and doing literature reviews and other research to know more about the diseases and technologies we are targeting. And, of course, going to lots of meetings on Zoom :) Currently, I work for a private company based in the US.

What are the constraints of your work? Is it a lack of medicine, transport, funds or instruments, or infrastructure? Or are your worries totally different?
-The problems are much bigger and things move more slowly than in clinical practice - you could see a case in an hour and the horse would be fixed (or at least treated and on its way to being fixed), whereas the things we work on in medical robotics take years to come to market (and some never do). I do miss working directly with horses every day, but I absolutely do not miss (most of) the clients - it is great to be working every day now with very smart and driven people that are my colleagues.

Are ethical questions that surge from your work and can be extrapolated to other parts of the veterinary profession?
While the problems we work on are certainly worthwhile and do improve life/fight disease for many people (eventually), sometimes it is difficult to feel like you are doing enough for the society at large - there are so many people who could use help and we are working very slowly on only helping a small subset of them. Of course, veterinary practice has this ethical question as well - horses for sure are a luxury item and injecting the joints of the fancy Warmblood show horse is not exactly changing the world either!

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What do you most look forward to when finishing work for the day? Can you tell me a little about it?
-Currently, I have been enjoying exploring the city as I just moved here a few months ago and there are lots to see (and lots of German to practice - I am not very good!). Have been enjoying hiking & running as we are nearby some beautiful hills & trails, and hoping to find somewhere to ride horses in the near future - I really miss the horses.

And, finally, what is your main worry outside work? Is there a common problem? Is there a political or social issue that you are free to talk about and interests you? Don't worry if you prefer not to answer this question.
-In general, I am not too worried a person, but of course, climate change hangs over all our heads a bit and I am unsure where we are going to go in the next 50 years, or what will happen. The US political situation is always of interest (and sometimes despair - but a little better now!) to me as well; I was fairly politically active when I lived in the US and continue to follow politics closely from abroad. As with everyone, COVID is always on the mind, but it certainly gets to be a tiresome topic after almost 2 years...

One final question: What is your dream?
Interesting question! I guess I would say, having a job (or jobs) that I enjoy and find fulfilment in without overwhelming my time, being able to enjoy the company of my friends and family, and living on a farm with some horses, mini donkeys, and goats :)