Owen McCarthy is a Mainer through and through. He grew up in Patten, a small town about 40 miles west of Canada. He graduated with pride from the University of Maine. And he co-founded MedRhythms, a digital therapeutics company, now based in Portland.

MedRhythms builds evidence-based, Food and Drug Administration-regulated software that uses sensors and music to activate neural circuitry to help people restore neurologic function lost to disease or injury, says McCarthy, the company’s president. Products now in clinical trials aim to help stroke victims improve their walking and measure their steps; one has been designated a Breakthrough Device by the FDA. Also in the works are products to aid patients with multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s disease.

Though his company’s growth is exciting, McCarthy says hiring local talent has been challenging. The Roux Institute, he says, will help fill the talent pipeline for his company and others looking for more skilled tech professionals.

“The Roux Institute gives us a real chance to build our entire engineering team locally,” McCarthy says. “With AI and the life sciences growing so fast, Roux will be transformational for Portland’s economy.”

MedRhythms’ partnership with Roux includes hiring co-op students, with at least three positions planned for 2021. The company will also explore collaborations with institute-affiliated faculty researchers and opportunities to share space, McCarthy says. He points to Northeastern’s Experiential Network, which matches students virtually to six-week company projects, as yet another chance for MedRhythms to accomplish great things.