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CSUF Alum Recognized for Fostering Next Generation of Engineers and Scientists
Gregory Wright, a senior VP at Edwards Lifesciences, honored with CSUF Vision & Visionaries Award
Published on Feb. 16, 2026
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Cal State Fullerton is recognizing Gregory Wright, a CSUF alum who earned bachelor's and master's degrees in biology and biological science, as a 2026 Vision & Visionaries Award recipient. Wright, who is the senior vice president of research and development at Edwards Lifesciences, has helped develop several patented surgical tissues and heart valves. He also serves on CSUF boards, established an engineering mentorship program, and gives back to the community through Goodwill of Orange County.
Why it matters
The Vision & Visionaries Award highlights CSUF alumni who have made significant contributions in their respective fields and supported the university. Wright's work in medical technology innovation and his commitment to fostering the next generation of engineers and scientists at his alma mater demonstrate the lasting impact CSUF graduates can have.
The details
Wright chose CSUF over other local college options, believing the education and access to professors would give him a better chance at success. After earning his degrees, he worked at St. Jude Medical and then joined Edwards Lifesciences, where he has co-invented several technologies related to surgical heart valves. Over the past 20 years, Wright's team has developed new ideas aimed at improving valve durability through advanced tissue technologies, leading to innovations like the RESILIA tissue technology and the KONECT RESILIA aortic valve conduit.
- Wright earned his bachelor's degree in biology in 2000 and his master's degree in biological science, physiology and chemistry in 2008.
- Wright has served as the senior vice president of research and development for Edwards Lifesciences for the past 3 years.
- Wright has served on the Dean's Philanthropic Board for the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics at CSUF, as well as the university's ECS Innovation Hub Campaign Cabinet, for several years.
- Wright helped establish the CSUF Engineering Mentorship Program, a 10-year partnership between Edwards and Titan engineering students.
The players
Gregory Wright
A CSUF alum who earned bachelor's and master's degrees in biology and biological science, and is currently the senior vice president of research and development at Edwards Lifesciences, where he has helped develop several patented surgical tissues and heart valves.
C. Eugene 'Gene' Jones
A CSUF professor emeritus of biological science who recognized Wright's interest in research and suggested he consider a career in the pharmaceutical or medical device industry.
Edwards Lifesciences
An Irvine-based medical technology company where Wright has worked for the past 20 years, focusing on developing next-generation tissue for heart valves.
Cal State Fullerton
The university that is recognizing Wright as a 2026 Vision & Visionaries Award recipient for his accomplishments in the field of medical technology and his commitment to supporting CSUF and the next generation of engineers and scientists.
What they’re saying
“Dr. Jones was a fantastic mentor because he had compassion, he had the ability to challenge me and he empowered me. Those are the skills I took away from Fullerton that were invaluable to my success.”
— Gregory Wright (ocregister.com)
“The rigor that I went through in writing my thesis and getting feedback and spending a lot of long nights and a lot of time with my advisers to write the best technical document I could was a tremendous learning experience for me.”
— Gregory Wright (ocregister.com)
“It's a great opportunity to help the dean shape ways that the college can get better at not just fundraising for the college to be able to provide for the students and the faculty, but also to think about what gaps the educational system has today that are needed moving forward.”
— Gregory Wright (ocregister.com)
“It's been a program that is also very important to me because it is an opportunity for these students to be mentored and to see what it's like to work in industry.”
— Gregory Wright (ocregister.com)
“I think the thing about being a Titan is the respect that we have for each other. Titans are really a family. We support each other, we support our community and we support our students. You can't graduate from Cal State Fullerton without feeling all that, and I've always felt that.”
— Gregory Wright (ocregister.com)
The takeaway
Gregory Wright's journey from CSUF student to medical technology innovator and mentor demonstrates the lasting impact a CSUF education can have. His commitment to giving back to his alma mater and fostering the next generation of engineers and scientists is a testament to the university's mission of using higher education to make a positive difference in the world.
