Federica Montrone
Medical Device Engineer
Vienna
At Syntropic, she plays a pivotal role in risk assessment, preclinical testing, and prototype development from research to in vivo demonstration, contributing to design, testing, and regulatory processes.
“It was at that moment I realized my goal: to be part of something new and see the direct results of my work”.
Federica Montrone has always been passionate about the startup world, though her journey hasn’t followed a straightforward path. With a deep thirst for knowledge from a young age, particularly in technological and scientific fields, she pursued a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Biomedical Engineering, along with a Minor in Bionanotechnologies at Politecnico di Torino, Italy. This allowed her to combine her passion for technology and healthcare into a single discipline.
After completing her studies, she took time to reflect on her direction in the broad and evolving field of biomedical engineering. It was during the challenging period of the COVID-19 lockdown, a difficult time for startups, that she felt a strong pull toward the entrepreneurial world. It was that pull that made her approach and eventually join WISE, a neurotech startup that later evolved into a leading company producing the first stretchable, soft, and minimally invasive electrodes for neuromodulation and neuromonitoring.
“What excited me most was the opportunity to build something from the ground up and watch it grow,” she reflects. “Of course, there are risks, because success is never guaranteed, but the challenge makes the reward that much more fulfilling”.
Federica’s spark for neurotechnology ignited during her exchange period at EPFL in Lausanne, where she received technical training in nanorobotics for biomedical applications.
“There was this groundbreaking study published in Nature about a new treatment for spinal cord injuries, which eventually led to the creation of a startup”- she explains. The lead researcher, a professor from the University of Lausanne, gave a guest lecture in one of my courses, and that’s when I completely fell in love with neurotechnology. Later, I sought out the perfect work opportunity to immerse myself in the field”.
What excites Federica most about neurotechnology is its immense potential for the future. While the field has yet to fully realize its promise, she is confident that in the coming years, we will witness transformative breakthroughs. Neurotech offers limitless possibilities, especially in developing innovative, non-conventional treatments that could far surpass today’s methods.
Federica is particularly drawn to non-invasive and minimally invasive, localized technologies, which present new and promising ways to treat neurological conditions. The blend of cutting-edge technology and innovative ideas makes neurotech really compelling, as it offers a rare opportunity to contribute to something truly revolutionary.
Seeking to further enrich her professional journey in neurotechnology, Federica set her sights on gaining international experience, which led her to move abroad and join Syntropic. “I wanted to immerse myself in an environment filled with diverse, stimulating minds and contaminate my expertise”. Her top priority remained being part of something meaningful, where she could truly add value, and finding the right team was essential to that goal.
Federica brings a unique ‘hidden superpower’ to Syntropic— her ability to seamlessly integrate technological and biomedical expertise in neurotech. While her experience continues to grow, this powerful combination enables her to offer a distinct and valuable perspective to the engineering team, enhancing their innovation and problem-solving capabilities.
Want to connect with Federica? Reach out to info@syntropicmedical.com