One Student's Path to Biomedical Innovation

When Brogan Landeen arrived at the University of South Dakota, she knew she wanted a career that combined her strengths in math and engineering with her interest in healthcare. Today, that passion has led her to Alexandria, Virginia, where she evaluates some of the newest medical innovations as a biomedical engineering patent examiner with the United States Patent and Trademark Office.

Landeen's academic journey at USD was anything but ordinary. She completed her bachelor's degree in biomedical engineering in just three years before continuing into USD's accelerated master's program, earning her master's degree in 2025. Shortly after graduation, she joined the patent office, where she reviews applications related to medical devices, treatments and other healthcare technologies.

Her work involves researching new innovations, comparing them to existing technologies and applying both technical expertise and patent law to determine whether they qualify for patent protection.

"It's a lot of research and problem-solving," Landeen said. "I'm constantly learning about new technologies and what’s already out there."

With roots in Sioux Falls, Landeen was drawn to biomedical engineering because it combined two longtime interests: engineering and healthcare. USD's growing biomedical engineering program and accelerated master's pathway made the university a natural fit.

After spending her first three years in Vermillion, Landeen completed her senior year and graduate studies at the USD-Sioux Falls campus. There, she worked closely with faculty members and gained hands-on laboratory experience that exposed her to emerging technologies and research opportunities.

One of those opportunities led to her master's thesis, which focused on designing a 3D-printed prosthetic foot. The project deepened her interest in prosthetics, biomechanics and medical device innovation while allowing her to apply engineering concepts to real-world healthcare challenges.

One of the most influential people on that journey was Dr. Lisa MacFadden, who served as her committee chair and mentor.

"She taught me so much and really helped shape the direction I wanted to take my career," Landeen said. "She introduced me to research areas and opportunities that expanded what I thought was possible."

Now several months into her career, Landeen says she has gained an even greater appreciation for her education at USD. Beyond engineering concepts and technical knowledge, she credits the university with helping her develop the communication, time-management and critical-thinking skills she uses every day.

For current students, her advice is to embrace opportunities that may not fit neatly into a long-term plan.

"I didn't think I would end up working at the patent office," she said. "You never know what opportunity might spark an interest or lead you down a path you hadn't considered. Get involved, build connections and stay open to where those experiences may take you."

For Landeen, that openness transformed a passion for engineering and healthcare into a career helping evaluate the next generation of medical innovation, proving that sometimes the most rewarding opportunities are the ones you never expected.