From ASB to MedTech: Dra. Montse Charles-Harris Opens Our FemSTEM Series

We were thrilled to welcome back ASB alumna Dra. Montse Charles-Harris (ASB Grades 8–10), who left ASB in 1996 on a scholarship to UWC Adriatic and went on to build an inspiring career at the intersection of science, engineering, and patient care. Montse returned to campus as our first FemSTEM speaker of the year.

After completing her bachelor’s and master’s in Materials Engineering at the École Européenne d’Ingénieurs en Génie des Matériaux, Montse earned her PhD in Materials Science and Engineering at UPC in Barcelona. She then joined Barcelona start-up Neos Surgery, where she spent nearly a decade as Director of Operations. Her work there went well beyond R&D, from raising funds and pitching to venture capital investors to helping a young company grow. Most recently, she was Senior Project Leader of Product Development for Digital Orthopedics R&D at Johnson & Johnson MedTech (DePuy Synthes), where she led a large team in a predominantly male industry.

Montse spoke openly with our students about how careers rarely follow a straight line. She shared how world events such as 9/11, the 2008 financial crisis, and the 2020 pandemic shaped her path, alongside her marriage and raising three children. She encouraged students to stay flexible, seek balance, and never underestimate the power of their reputation and their network. When asked what has been most rewarding, she said seeing her work make a real difference in patient care.

Thank you, Montse, for your honesty, energy, and generosity with our students. We are also grateful to this year’s FemSTEM co-heads, seniors Elna Kristensson and Maria Smirnova, who, together with our Director of Alumni Relations, Michelle Collin, coordinate our speaker series and bring alumni back to campus to inspire the next generation of women in STEM.