Alumni Spotlight: Meet Cameron Dahman
What happens when medicine meets engineering? Meet Cameron Dahman, an alumna of the Ritchie School of Engineering & Computer Science (Ritchie School) at the University of Denver (DU), who successfully combined both fields through her master’s degree in Bioengineering (2025).
As a fourth-generation Colorado native, Cameron grew up doing every outdoor activity imaginable, fostering a lifelong appreciation for staying active and connected to the mountains.
Cameron’s academic journey began with a bachelor’s degree in Neuroscience with the intent to pursue a career in medicine. However, after shadowing a friend working in medical devices field, she discovered a different path.
“I found my passion for engineering and wanted to apply my knowledge to medical device innovation.”
Cameron first toured the DU campus before choosing her undergraduate education, and her mom was in awe of the campus. “When it came time for choosing a graduate program, I knew I wanted to stay close to family in Colorado and needed a school with a medical device engineering program. DU was the obvious choice,” she says.
One of her biggest accomplishments was transitioning from a non-engineering bachelor’s degree to an engineering master’s program. Not only did she complete her master’s in Bioengineering, but she also conducted research in the field.
Cameron’s research focused on the high rates of musculoskeletal injuries in orthopedic surgeons, often caused by the physical demands of performing joint replacement surgeries. Her goal is to identify the most demanding positions surgeons experience during surgical procedures to guide the development and adaptation of more ergonomically sound surgical devices. Through her work, she hopes to raise awareness among surgeons about the harmful positions they encounter daily and encourage them to seek ergonomic education. Additionally, she aims to inform development engineers to consider not only patient outcomes but also how device designs may contribute to unfavorable surgeon positioning.
Cameron credits much of her growth to the hands-on support of Ritchie School faculty. “The faculty were very involved in my learning and growth. From Dr. Laz advising me on auditing undergraduate engineering courses, to Dr. Clary guiding me through my research, thesis, and publication. I would not know everything I do today without the help of the Ritchie staff,” she says.
She intends to continue growing her engineering skills while working with a medical device company and contributing to the improvement of medical care through the development of medical devices. “My biggest advice to new students, especially those new to engineering, take it one day at a time. The goal is to know more than you did yesterday,” she says.
Outside of engineering, she enjoys exploring the mountains with her Golden Retriever, Bridger, teaching country swing at the Grizzly Rose, or spending time at game night with friends and family.
Cameron's journey is a proof of how one can combine their passion and interdisciplinary learning to create meaningful impact in the world.
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