
Meet Our Team
Our team of professionals, located across Minnesota, Michigan, South Dakota, and North Carolina, has been delivering top-tier R&D services to medical device and IoT companies since 2013. With a focus on clients in both the U.S. and Europe, we bring years of experience and specialized expertise to every project.
Electrical Engineers and Technicians
Mechanical Engineers and Technicians
Biomedical Engineers and Technicians
Orhan Soykan
Medical Device Design and Founder
Orhan Soykan, Ph.D. holds a doctorate in Electrical Engineering and Applied Physics from Case Western Reserve University. With a diverse career spanning defense (Aselsan), government agencies (U.S. FDA and NASA), and the medical device industry (Medtronic), Orhan brings deep expertise in electronic instrumentation, medical device design, preclinical and clinical study execution, programming, mathematical modeling, finite element analysis, and patent drafting. Recognized by Twin Cities Business Magazine as one of Minnesota’s “Top 500 Inventors,” he is named on 45 U.S. patents and has authored 30 peer-reviewed articles and three book chapters. Outside of work, Orhan is an avid pilot, marathon runner, and cross-country skier. He divides his time between Minnesota and Michigan.

Biocompatibility and Toxicology
Daisy Cross has a Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering and an M.S. in Toxicology (both from the University of Minnesota), and a B.S. in Biomedical Engineering (Northwestern University, Evanston, IL).
Her professional career started at Medtronic where she worked on innovative and novel concepts, including device-mediated gene delivery, hybrid/combination devices, and the development of biomaterials for cardiac repair. Since 2021, she has worked with biomedical startup companies to provide advice and hands-on laboratory leadership to help teams analyze the biological effects of their products. Daisy’s core scientific competencies include biomaterials, chemistry, blood cell – material interactions, stem cells, in vitro biological and toxicological assays, and in vivo study design. Examples of Daisy’s recent projects are chemical/toxicological assessments of substitute solvents, stem cell characterization guidance, and hemolysis assessments of mechanical circulatory support (MCS) devices.
In her personal time, Daisy enjoys listening to indie music, word puzzles, biking, making weird art projects, and restoring old houses. She currently resides in Minneapolis, MN where she has readily available access to her network of technical contacts (preclinical CROs, material sourcing, material finishing, and experienced toxicologists).

Tony Pinar
RF Design, IoT
Tony Pinar holds a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering and brings extensive experience from his time at GE Aviation, where he developed test equipment for both commercial and military avionics. His technical expertise spans analog and digital electronic design, RF design, and the design and construction of electrical assemblies, including PCBs and subassemblies. Additionally, Tony has a strong background in embedded systems design, programming, and scientific computing, with a focus on digital signal processing, image processing, machine learning, and data analysis. In his free time, he enjoys playing guitar and golfing.

Intellectual Property
Emma Kantola holds dual degrees in Electrical Engineering with Biomedical Applications and Applied and Computational Mathematics from Michigan Technological University. She is a registered patent agent before the United States Patent and Trademark Office (Registration #83,333). Emma has worked extensively on the creation of U.S. patent applications, including drafting specifications, claims, and figures for innovative medical devices, and has written 20+ patents.
With a strong background in hardware design, programming, and circuit design, Emma has contributed to multiple provisional patent applications and scientific publications. Her experience includes developing electrical control systems, conducting data analysis, and creating mathematical models for biological systems.
Emma has worked with companies like Cryosa, Lunair, and Smartville Inc., where she played a key role in designing electrical systems and contributing to cutting-edge technologies. In her free time, Emma loves staying active with soccer, basketball, and volleyball. She enjoys intense board game nights, and often seeks new adventures through solo travel. She also taps into her creative side by using her electrical engineering skills to make fun accessories for cosplay.

Erol Soykan
Technologist
Erol Soykan is a technician and technical communicator, specialising in design, presentation, and prototyping works, as well as general laboratory assistance. His expertises are in the areas of materials sciences and electromechanics, with a history in amateur robotics. He has designed and built prototypes for use during animal studies and for expanding the testing of commercial medical devices. In his free time, he enjoys creative writing and table-top roleplaying games.

Kellan Heikkila
Signal Processing and Data Analytics
Kellan Heikkila is an accomplished computer programmer and data analyst, specializing in custom software development for signal processing and the use of commercial data processing tools. His expertise includes analyzing and scoring data from home sleep studies and clinical datasets, such as those from LabChart. In his free time, Kellan enjoys exploring the night sky and chasing the Northern Lights.

Jillian Jacobsen
Dental Research and Administrative Operations
Jillian Jacobsen brings expertise in dentistry and plastic surgery, supporting the Haswel team and its clients with research related to oral procedures. She also oversees key administrative functions, including procurement and accounting, ensuring smooth day-to-day operations. In her free time, Jillian enjoys skiing, reading, and practicing yoga.

Eric Neumann
Electrical Design and Testing
Eric Neumann is a seasoned electrical and mechanical designer with 25 years of professional experience. His career began at Oak Ridge with the Tennessee Valley Authority’s field testing and engineering services group. Since 2019, Eric has worked as an independent consultant, focusing primarily on medical device development for clients in the Twin Cities, Minnesota area. In his free time, he enjoys piloting his small plane, engaging in public service with his local amateur radio community, and exploring the scenic Black Hills of South Dakota, where he resides with his wife and two beagles.

Eleanor Wentworth
Image Analysis
Eleanor Wentworth is a fourth-year Biomedical Engineering student at Michigan Technological University, with a minor in Pre-Health Professions. Her early career experience lies in medical device manufacturing and quality engineering of surgical instruments and X-ray imaging devices. Eleanor is also actively involved, serving as Vice President of the Biomedical Engineering Society and playing alto saxophone in the school pep band. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, watching sunsets over the water, and spending time with family and friends.

Steve Christian
Mechanical Design and Build
Steve Christian, with over 30 years of experience in the medical device industry, has contributed to the development of implantable, surgical, interventional, and therapeutic systems, holding more than 30 patents. He excels in designing and building advanced prototypes, along with the necessary test and assembly systems. His expertise also extends to Nitinol processing and testing. Steve utilizes in-house resources, including SolidWorks Professional, CAMWorks CNC programming software, Haas VMC with 4-axis machining capabilities, precision toolroom lathe, and a Mark Forged 3D printer. With 35+ years of machining experience, he works with titanium, stainless steel, aluminum, and plastics. In his free time, he enjoys cycling, hunting, and wielding chainsaws on his property.
With over 120 years of combined experience in medical device design and development, our team brings unmatched expertise and innovation to every project.

