Meet Iñigo Sanchez
From Classroom Curiosity to Orthopedic Innovation
For Iñigo Sanchez, the path to healthcare innovation has not been clear-cut. Iñigo enjoyed high school classes such as health communications, health science, and anatomy. He initially applied to Clemson as a bioengineering major but switched to Health Science with a concentration in Health Services Administration at the end of his first-year student year. The first-generation student's involvement in the Clemson Orthopedic Device Retrieval Program (CU-REPRO) and the Sales Innovation Program has ignited a passion for medical device sales with a specialty in orthopedics, which includes total joint, knees, shoulders and hip replacements.
Data Meets Design
Iñigo attended a FOCI event during his first year, and it ignited a passion and curiosity for research in the medical device space. When he found CU REPRO, Iñigo knew he had found his calling. When he first joined the CI with Dr. Harmon in his second semester of first year, Iñigo worked with two students, Dalton Moores and Alexa Wachinski, on a project about locking mechanisms in knee implants. Throughout his sophomore year, he studied polyethylene inserts and their connection to tibial base plates. When comparing the locking mechanisms on these knee replacements, they found no statistically significant link between the mechanisms and implant failure, although wear differences were observed when compared to other types of implants. After Dalton and Alexa graduated, Iñigo and his teammate-turned-friend Zach started working on a literature review on how knee implants have changed over the past thirty years. Different companies make the parts in many ways with various goals in mind, so they are comparing the United States and Australian medical registries to study the trends. Iñigo and Zach are focusing on Stryker knee implants, specifically the shift to a single radius design, the use of cross-linked polyethylene, and the introduction of cementless fixation in the early 2010s. These changes are year-specific, and the data allows for the pair to track the effects of improvements in joint stability and reduction in revision surgeries. The registry data provides strong insights, especially over the past ten to fifteen years.
Career Aspirations and CU REPRO Impact
CU REPRO and SIP helped to guide Iñigo's career interests toward orthopedic medical device sales, and he plans to pursue a role as an orthopedic device specialist with a focus on total joint replacements and an interest in upper extremity or trauma devices as well. "CU Repro specifically shaped my goals—getting into the CI my first year is what really guided me toward the world of orthopedics."
FOCI 2024 Presentation
In 2024, Iñigo presented at Clemson's Focus on Creative Inquiry (FOCI) event. He found it incredibly rewarding to present and engage with both students and faculty, which helped reinforce his already-polished presentation and communication skills. "Being able to share something new with someone else—that’s what made presenting at FOCI meaningful to me."
Most Rewarding Part
Iñigo credits Dr. Melissa Harmon as the most impactful part of CU REPRO. He describes her as a mentor that encourages students to be curious and to share their research with their fellow lab members. Dr. Harmon inspires students to pursue learning beyond their major, and to reach for experiences outside of their comfort zones. The lab environment she has creates promotes teamwork, shared learning, and meeting research deadlines.
Advice to Students
When asked if he had advice for students on a similar path, Iñigo suggests being curious and unafraid to ask questions, even when it feels uncomfortable. "I think having the courage to be able to be humble and ask why…be able to be curious and ask always strive to be able to learn something new." He encourages students, new and returning, to step outside of their comfort zone and seek learning opportunities. He points out that being comfortable with being uncomfortable is a key mindset for bridging business, healthcare, and research.
Life Beyond the Lab
Outside of the Creative Inquiry, Iñigo is involved in the Ping Pong Club, the Ski and Snowboard Club, and is on the Executive Board for the Clemson Bodybuilding Club. He also recently interned with Michelin in the Summer of 2024 as a B2B Sales and Marketing Intern, where he enjoyed the learning environment and the intern camaraderie. He plans to intern again this summer.
Looking Ahead
As Iñigo looks ahead to graduation next year, his passion for innovation, collaboration, and helping others continues to drive him forward. Whether it's working on designing improved implants or learning new tools to support his peers, he is bridging the gaps between education, business, research, and healthcare. With curiosity as his compass, there's no doubt Iñigo will make his mark on the orthopedic medical device world.
