Women in STEM at Cook Medical: Fiona King and Annemarie Beglin

Watch the Cook Medical Podcast Episode

Fiona’s career developed through engineering, product development and further education before progressing into R&D leadership. Annemarie came from an analytical science and applied biology background and built a long-term career in quality assurance. Their conversation explores what it takes to develop beyond technical expertise, how professionals can respond when career progression does not happen as expected and why responsibility for your own development remains important throughout a STEM career. 

The episode also considers mentoring, outreach to younger students and the role employers can play in creating clearer pathways into technical and leadership positions. Listen through the existing Spotify and Apple Podcasts players below.

Meet Fiona King and Annemarie Beglin

Fiona King: From Engineering Curiosity to R&D Leadership

Fiona was Senior Manager, Research and Development at Cook Medical at the time of recording. Her interest in engineering began with curiosity about how things worked. That interest developed into a career focused on solving technical problems and bringing ideas through research and development.

Medical-device R&D requires engineers to combine technical knowledge with an understanding of user needs, manufacturing, quality and regulatory requirements. At Cook Medical, R&D engineers are involved in activities ranging from research and feasibility through component specifications, manufacturing-process development, test methods, verification and validation, and support for regulatory submissions.

Fiona’s career also demonstrates that professional education does not necessarily stop once someone enters industry. She discusses returning to formal education while working and continuing to develop the knowledge required for greater technical and leadership responsibility. HERO’s longer article on women in STEM at Cook Medical explores that journey in more detail.

Annemarie Beglin: Building a Career in Quality Assurance

Annemarie was QA Director at Cook Medical at the time of recording.

Her academic background was in analytical science and applied biology. Like many graduates entering specialised industries, one of her early challenges was gaining relevant experience when employers were already looking for candidates who had worked in similar environments. HERO’s supporting article describes how her career subsequently developed through quality assurance and into senior leadership.

Quality assurance in medical devices involves much more than checking finished products. Quality professionals work with systems and processes intended to ensure that products are developed, manufactured and documented in accordance with defined requirements.

About Cook Medical in Limerick

Cook Medical’s Limerick operation supports medical-device manufacturing, engineering, R&D and other EMEA functions. Cook states that its European engineering teams are based primarily in Limerick and Bjaeverskov, Denmark. In Limerick, its Innovation Centre supports prototyping and concept testing, while engineering teams work across research and development, post-market engineering and manufacturing engineering.

The company also operates an EMEA Support Centre in Limerick serving customers in 12 native languages. Cook currently says staff at its Ireland location come from 28 countries. This creates career paths beyond engineering alone, including quality assurance, regulatory affairs, customer support and graduate opportunities. Cook’s official graduate programme currently lists R&D, engineering, quality assurance and regulatory affairs among its Limerick disciplines.

Candidates researching the wider sector can also read HERO’s guide to medical-device companies and careers in Ireland.

Episode Sponsor

Thank you to our sponsors Fenero, a multi-award-winning company that specialises in the financial success for contractors, freelancers and solopreneurs. For more updates on #GreatnessHasNoGender, follow HERO on LinkedIn, reach out to hello@hero.ie for inquiries, or explore our job opportunities in STEM, Permanent Jobs and Contracting Jobs.