Since March 2020, the SentOx team has been working hard to develop an oxygen machine aimed at saving one million lives! This philanthropic project started with Dr. Paul Boxer, SentOx founder and director. He hired a team of skilled engineers who all have one objective in mind: to distribute as many portable oxygen machines as possible to the people who need them the most.
Let’s meet the team behind this great cause!
Aaron Duivenvoorden, Lead Engineer of the SentOx Project
"I believe we all have a responsibility to have a positive impact, in all aspects of our lives".
What do you do at Sentient Oxygen?
I assist the team by giving a broad technical direction and leading the development of electronics. I also run our agile sprints and represent Sentient when we meet with our international partners.
What are your credentials/past experience, for working in your position?
Studied at RMIT Melbourne: Bachelor of Engineering (Electrical & Electronic Eng) (Honours)/Bachelor of Business(Management)
Research Project at Polytechnique Montreal, main author of IEEE paper: Sensor Fusion in upper limb area networks: A survey. I have 3 years experience working with Sentient Bionics.
What is something people in your industry/niche have to deal with that you want to fix?
Our team is far from alone, there are many engineers and groups out there doing amazing work to address problems and needs that have come up during this crisis. There is a lot we can learn from each other and ways we can work together, ways we can accomplish our goals faster if we collaborate, share and partner. We're working towards the same thing, we want to save lives and help people. We could do that better if we were more connected and more aware of what problems different teams and groups are dealing with.
I know our team has a lot to offer in terms of engineering capacity, and the ability to solve complex problems, but that alone will not deliver our SentOx units to where they're needed. We're looking for new partners around the world that can help us distribute, manufacture and navigate the diverse requirements of low-middle income countries. Our project is philanthropic, our charity, Sentient Oxygen, is dedicated to making a positive impact and saving lives. Please help us do it, connect with us and introduce us to more people than can help us on our mission.
What do you like about working at Sentient Oxygen?
We have the resources of a much larger company, but the flexibility and nimbleness of a start-up. We're able to innovate quickly, and development is fast-paced. This time last year our company had never worked with oxygen concentrators before, and now we have a new product that can offer something the world is in desperate need of: oxygen therapy for the people who need it in LMICs around the world. I find what we've done so far incredible, and am so grateful to have the opportunity to work with the fantastic team at Sentient.
What are the values that drive you?
I believe we all have a responsibility to have a positive impact, in all aspects of our lives. In the work I do with Sentient, I have the opportunity to work on technology that will save lives and can work actively to help the world in this time of crisis. That is extremely motivating.
Your top 3 favorite Podcasts/Books?
The Martian by Andy Weir
Ancillary Sword by Ann Leckie
RadioLab Podcast by WNYC Studios
Daniel Zanati, Test & Design Engineer
"I like working with young motivated individuals that are all dedicated to the goal of making this oxygen concentrator save one million lives."
What do you do at Sentient Oxygen?.
My primary role has been to design the inner components that makeup SentOX and overcome engineering issues with SentOX using little resources (to make it as cheap and accessible as possible). In addition, I developed the assembly process of the SentOX.
What are your credentials/past experience, for working in your position?
This is my first post-graduate job after graduating from university last year. (My bachelor's degree is in Mechanical Engineering/Business Finance). However, I worked a 12-month Internship at the Defense Science and Technology group as a research engineer developing Aerosol Defense capabilities for the Army.
What is something people in your industry/niche have to deal with that you want to fix?
The access to cheap, reliable, medical-grade oxygen. Utilizing emerging manufacturing technologies such as additive manufacturing (3D printing).
What do you like about working at Sentient Oxygen?
Idea-tank working culture, always sharing ideas and bouncing thoughts off one another. I like working with young motivated individuals that are all dedicated to the goal of making this oxygen concentrator save one million lives.
What are the values that drive you?
I believe in being organized and as communicative as possible. These two are pretty crucial to be professionally successful. In life, I believe in taking the time to smell the roses, really taking your time, and not rushing things.
Your top 3 favorite Podcasts/Books?
7 am (Morning news podcast), This is actually happening (Personal stories podcast), and Star Wars (all the books).
Samuel Mallick, Test & Design Engineer
"I get to work on the project from a lot of different positions and love the continued challenge."
What do you do at Sentient Oxygen?
Testing lead and Software lead.
What are your credentials/past experience, for working in your position?
A bachelor of science from the University of Melbourne. Currently doing a Masters of Mechatronic Engineering at the University of Melbourne.
What is something people in your industry/niche have to deal with that you want to fix?
Mundane tasks! I believe in the power of automation to give people in all industries the freedom to work on engaging and challenging tasks.
What do you like about working at Sentient Oxygen?
An amazing team who are passionate about delivering socially beneficial tech, know how to have fun and have persevered through very tough 'SentOx winters'. Personally, I get to work on the project from a lot of different positions and love the continued challenge.
What are the values that drive you?
The power of automation in improving the average quality of life and a love of tech and people.
Your top 3 favorite Podcasts/Books?
Podcast: Lex Fridman Podcast. Books: Love in the Time of Cholera by Gabriel García Márquez. Thinking fast and slow by Daniel Kahneman. The foundation trilogy by Isaac Asimov.
Rozchel Yap, Quality Assurance Engineer
"The people working on SentOx are very genuinely passionate about delivering and providing oxygen supply to low economic places around the globe."
What do you do at Sentient Oxygen?
I am responsible for establishing processes in developing SentOx, does product testing and evaluating engineering designs, making sure that it meets the acceptable level of quality, and complies with medical device standards such as WHO, ISO and IEC.
What are your credentials/past experience, for working in your position?
Before SentOx, I worked as a Quality Engineer and Project Coordinator in various domains such as Electronics Manufacturing, Hardware/Software Research & Development.
What do you like about working at Sentient Oxygen?
The people working on SentOx are very genuinely passionate about delivering and providing oxygen supply to low economic places around the globe. When they say "we want to save one million lives", I can really tell and testify they mean it the way they spend their talents and energy on a daily basis.
What are the values that drive you?
I'm very big about efficiency, working smart, that is. My fulfilment at work peaks when I did produce something with minimal resource exerted. I also am very keen in planning and organizing, with contingencies all set ahead.
Your top 3 favorite Podcasts/Books?
Dan Brown's Da Vinci Code and Angels & Demons, John Grisham's The Last Juror.
Nik Martin, Junior Design Engineer
I love the fact that I can work with a passionate team and use the skills I have to have a positive impact on the world around me.
What do you do at Sentient Oxygen?
At the moment I’m setting up SentOx South Africa. Having grown up in South Africa I know just how big of a need there is for SentOx in South Africa and, more broadly, Africa. After doing performance tests, potential partnering companies will assess the device and assist with certification, manufacturing and distribution of SentOx within South Africa. It’s an exciting time for SentOx and an even more exciting time for South Africa!
What are your credentials/past experience, for working in your position?
After completing a degree in Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering at the University of Cape Town, I travelled and joined Sentient at the beginning of 2020. Here I gained experience working on the bionic hand with Sentient Bionics and ViDAR Pod with Sentient Vision Systems. Before that, I worked with Argentina’s biggest independent brewery, Antares.
What is something people in your industry/niche have to deal with that you want to fix?
I feel lucky to be working together with an Australian company whilst being based in my home country, South Africa. I believe that this is merely the beginning of international working relationships. Aiding people and companies to set up international employment relationships is something I want to be involved with. It’s relatively simple and makes a lot of sense in today’s dynamic working world.
What do you like about working at Sentient Oxygen?
The core principle behind SentOx: helping people in Low-and-Middle Income Countries. I love the fact that I can work with a passionate team and use the skills I have to have a positive impact on the world around me.
What are the values that drive you?
Asking the question, hard work, having a positive impact on people and remaining dynamic.
Your top 3 favorite Podcasts/Books?
Let My People Go Surfing, by Yvon Chouinard (Patagonia’s Founder describes running a successful company, sustainably)
Live to Learn, by Tim Minchin (It’s a speech, I apply a lot of the principles Minchin describes to my own life)
Get Me to 21, by Gabi Lowe (A story of utter perseverance of attempting to save the life of a childhood friend of mine, written by her mother).
Stephanie Verdier, PR & Communications Manager
"It's really rare to work for a company who wishes to do that much good in the world."
What do you do at Sentient Oxygen?
I am in charge of the promotion and public relations of the SentOx project. I also manage Sentient Bionics' website, social media and EDM.
What are your credentials/past experience, for working in your position?
I have a Master Degree in Marketing & Communications from Sup de Pub Paris. I've had digital marketing roles for various companies in France and Australia.
What do you like about working at Sentient Oxygen?
Its philanthropic goal! It's really rare to work for a company that wishes to do that much good in the world! I also love the fact that the team is young and extremely enthusiastic about what they're working on.
What are the values that drive you?
Responsibility, honesty and loyalty. Both in my work and my private life.
Your top 3 favourite podcasts/books?
Less than Zero by Bret Easton Ellis, His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman and The Stranger by Albert Camus.
James Park, Intern
"The focus of the Sentient Oxygen project is pretty much the reason why I decided to do my double degree."
What do you do at Sentient Oxygen?
I assist engineers and technicians with testing and design prototyping during the development of this project, as well as identifying and tackling issues and tasks on my own.
What are your credentials/past experience, for working in your position?
I am still an undergraduate student at Monash University, studying a Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical) and Bachelor of Biomedical Science.
What do you like about working at Sentient Oxygen?
I feel very fortunate to work in a friendly and easy-going environment for my first on-field experience. Another reason why I look forward to waking up at 6 am is that the focus of the Sentient Oxygen project is pretty much the reason why I decided to do my double degree.
What are the values that drive you?
The passion to help out those who are in need, with whatever I can do and learn.
Your top 3 favourite podcasts/books?
The Shining by Stephen King, 1984 by George Orwell and Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel.
Sooraj Suresh, Technician
"I absolutely love Sentient Oxygen's project and goal."
What do you do at Sentient Oxygen?
I build and test sub-assemblies/parts and perform final device installation prior to system testing. I also do process improvement techniques/assist engineers with their daily tasks.
What are your credentials/past experience, for working in your position?
I used to work as a production technician at an electrical manufacturing facility in Melbourne. I also have automotive domain experience working with Volvo’s infotainment system.
What is something people in your industry/niche have to deal with that you want to fix?
Increased prototyping can delay the production process. I want to reduce prototyping by introducing new methods of component building /perform a simulation to reduce manual testing.
What do you like about working at Sentient Oxygen?
Friendly and open-minded working culture, depth of possibilities regarding professional development, absolutely love the project and its goal.
What are the values that drive you?
Open-mindedness, friendly and perception.
What do you enjoy doing when you are not working?
I like to keep myself busy by learning new technologies. I love to watch movies that depict craftsmanship and direction brilliance. I play badminton on weekends and am a Formula one, tennis and cricket lover.
Tim Garrett, Technician
I love being part of such a great team with awesome culture whilst also pursuing (achieving*) such a philanthropic goal.
What do you do at Sentient Oxygen?
I help primarily with the construction of the SentOx machine and its supporting documentation, alongside the testing/rework processes involved.
What do you like about working at Sentient Oxygen?
Being part of such a great team with awesome culture whilst also pursuing (achieving*) such a philanthropic goal.
What are the values that drive you?
Humor, compassion, creativity and reliability.
What do you enjoy doing when you are not working?
I enjoy sport, mixing music and relaxing with friends.
Do you have any questions to ask the SentOx team? Write them in the comments below or send us a message directly!