Kelly Yeung, MPower Entrepreneurship Fellow, Graduates

Two years after joining the Fischell Institute as an MPower Fellow, Kelly Yeung has earned her master’s degree in bioengineering, developed a commercially promising medical device prototype, and was recognized as a finalist for UMD’s Invention of the Year in the Life Science category.

The MPower Fellowship stood out to Yeung because it offered the unique opportunity to continue developing her senior capstone project, now named the BreathAssist, with direct support from Fischell Foundry engineers.

BreathAssist is a ventilation coach for bag valve masks (BVMs) — a first responder’s go-to tool when giving rescue breaths in emergency situations. The device combines visual LED guides with audio feedback to instruct first responders, families, and bystanders alike on how to deliver safe, effective rescue breaths during emergencies.

What started as an early stage concept has progressed through multiple iterations into a functional prototype that significantly increases rescue breath efficacy and reduces the risk of lung injury in the use of adult BVMs, common problems when untrained individuals attempt rescue breathing.

“Kelly has done an exceptional job transforming BreathAssist from an early idea into a refined, commercially promising beta prototype,” said Fischell Institute Assistant Director and MPower Fellowship Faculty Mentor Martha Wang. “Her willingness to iterate, ask hard questions, and deeply engage with both clinicians and users has made mentoring her a real privilege.”

With the help of the Fischell Foundry and Jason Rose, associate professor of medicine and associate dean of the Innovation & Physician Science Development at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, Yeung developed multiple prototypes, conducted testing, and engaged in customer discovery through the National Science Foundation's Innovation Corps (I-Corps) Mid-Atlantic Hub to better understand clinical needs.

“One of the most valuable lessons I’ve taken from this fellowship experience is how to think beyond the technical solution,” she said. “I’ve learned how to assess the real value of a novel device, incorporate user feedback, and design with implementation in mind. These skills, along with hands-on experience in building electromechanical systems, have shaped how I approach engineering problems.”

This past spring semester, Yeung also worked at The LaunchPort — a combined manufacturing and medtech accelerator in Baltimore — as a bioengineering intern, where she helped develop manufacturing processes for emerging medical technologies under David Garvey, LaunchPort’s biomedical engineer and on-boarding coordinator, and an MPower Fellowship alumnus.

Outside of the lab, Yeung enjoys volunteering at Out for Undergrad, where she supports queer students exploring careers in engineering. She also has a mix of active and creative hobbies that include going to the gym, rock climbing, baking, making homemade pizzas, karaoke, crocheting, and traveling.

Looking ahead, Yeung wants to continue building her career in the medical device space, developing technologies that directly impact patient care.

“I also want to be intentional about maintaining a work-life balance and continuing and developing new hobbies,” said Yeung. “One of my bigger personal dreams is to renovate a camper van and explore the world.”

Published May 22, 2026