Anna Watters
Anna Watters is a highly skilled biocompatibility analyst and project coordinator based in Cincinnati, Ohio, with over a decade of combined experience in laboratory research and medical device compliance. In her current role, she successfully manages full-lifecycle medical device initiatives from inception to completion, working seamlessly alongside engineering teams and project managers. Anna specializes in evaluating design changes for surgical devices, determining appropriate testing pathways under stringent ISO-10993 standards, and meticulously managing the technical documentation required for regulatory portal approvals.
Her robust foundation in science and operations is the result of a progressively advancing career. Before transitioning into her current biocompatibility focus, Anna spent nearly seven years advancing from a Lab Analyst to a Lab Supervisor. It was during her time in laboratory management that she discovered a natural aptitude for leadership, complex problem-solving, and cross-functional coordination. This extensive hands-on expertise is supported by a rigorous academic background, including a Master’s degree and a Bachelor of Science in Forensic Science and Biology, which instilled in her a deep commitment to precision and analytical thinking.
Driven by a philosophy of lifelong learning and mastering the fundamentals, Anna is deeply passionate about operations and project management. She is currently focused on continuing her trajectory toward senior project management roles, where she can leverage her organizational strengths to help companies innovate and succeed. Recently selected to be featured in Influential Women for 2026, Anna remains grounded in her core values of honesty, kindness, and collaboration. She consistently advocates for thoroughness and curiosity, advising the next generation of professionals to take detailed notes, ask critical questions, and never stop growing in their careers.
• Fayetteville State University
B.S, Forensic Science; Biology
• National University
Master's degree, Forensic science
• Chancellor's List
• Dean's List
• Kids ministry at church
• Coffee service at church
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to never giving up on myself. I knew at certain points in different jobs that I had more potential, that I knew I had more to give, so I would seek out other areas that could help me have personal growth and that might be a better fit for whatever stage of life I was in. I never went backwards. I started really low at different positions and just kept gradually going up to where the position I was at was a personal growth for me, while also helping the company. I'm very growth-oriented and solution-focused. Even if I don't have the solution at that moment of how I'm going to reach the next goal, I know I will reach it, and I stay adaptable throughout the journey.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would say learn what you can, but also take a lot of notes, because it can be kind of complex, but there is a lot to learn within biomedical. Start at the basics. Learn all the basics before you try and go above that, because if you know the basics, then you'll excel quicker at a lot of projects. But if you don't learn the basics and you don't ask questions, then it's a lot harder to learn more complex projects or concepts. Don't be afraid to ask questions and don't be afraid to not know things. That's the normal part of the challenges in the expertise, but have confidence through it all.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Being true to yourself is very important to me, knowing what you stand for. Honesty is a big one with our kids and in general, being honest with people about how I feel and what I believe in. Trusting other people is important, but not being too trusting, so being careful with who you trust. I also believe in being kind to other people in the situations that they might be in. If we see somebody struggling, we will try and help them as much as we can, because one day we might be in that position, and we would love for that to come back to us. These values guide both my professional integrity and my personal relationships, helping me set boundaries while still showing compassion to others.