February 10, 2026

International Women in Science Day: From Curiosity to Innovation

Deanna Kathumbi-Jackson’s Journey in Science and Technology

 

For Deanna Kathumbi-Jackson, Chief Technology Officer at Chemence Medical, a lifelong passion for science and innovation began in an unexpected place television.

Growing up, Deanna was fascinated by shows like The Six Million Dollar Man and The Bionic Woman. While she didn’t yet have the language for it, she was captivated by the idea that technology could be used to enhance and restore the human body. “I was intrigued by the possibility of creating solutions that could truly benefit someone,” she recalls. “Even as a child, that idea stayed with me.”

As she grew older, that curiosity evolved into a clear purpose. Deanna began searching for a career path that would allow her to combine engineering with medicine not simply to create products, but to improve lives. That research led her to biomedical engineering, a field that blends engineering principles with anatomy, physiology, and healthcare innovation.

She earned her undergraduate degree in Mechanical Engineering, followed by a master’s degree in biomedical engineering at The University of Akron, and quickly entered the medical device industry. From the start, her work in research and development gave her the opportunity to create meaningful solutions not only for clinicians, but for the patients whose lives those products would impact.

Throughout her career, Deanna’s path has remained rooted in R&D and project management, allowing her to balance creativity with execution. Today, as CTO, she oversees Research & Development, Project Management, and Technology, ensuring innovation is both bold and strategically aligned with Chemence’s business goals.

“Innovation is about curiosity,” she explains, “but it also has to connect to where the organization is going.” While her R&D teams are encouraged to explore new ideas — sometimes even ideas that feel ahead of their time, Deanna plays a key role in aligning innovation with company strategy, market readiness, and long-term growth.

Collaboration is central to her leadership philosophy. By bringing together R&D, regulatory, and project management teams early in the process, Chemence can challenge ideas, support one another, and bring safe, effective solutions to market. “Innovation doesn’t happen in isolation,” she says. “It happens when teams are comfortable challenging and supporting each other.”

As a woman leading in science and technology, Deanna has faced challenges from assumptions about belonging to questions of technical credibility. Rather than letting those moments define her, she learned to focus on objectives over perceptions and to surround herself with psychologically safe spaces, mentors, and peers who offered honest guidance and support.

Her commitment to representation in STEM deepened during college, when she became involved with the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE). Seeing others who looked like her in engineering reinforced the importance of diverse perspectives in science. “Women bring a different viewpoint,” she explains. “And when you combine those perspectives, you create better, more effective solutions.”

That belief carries into her advocacy for women and girls in science and technology. Her advice is simple but powerful: don’t give up. “If you feel like quitting, ask yourself why,” she says. “Is it external pressure, or is it truly a lack of passion? If it’s external, that’s not a reason to stop. Adversity is often part of creating something meaningful.”

What excites Deanna most about the future of medical technology is its potential to improve lives whether through advanced medical devices, diagnostics, or innovations that help people live healthier, fuller lives. “When I see something new that truly helps someone,” she says, “that’s what motivates me. That’s why I do this.”

From a childhood spark of curiosity to a career defined by impact and leadership, Deanna Kathumbi-Jackson continues to shape the future of innovation at Chemence one idea, one collaboration, and one solution at a time.