Jul 10, 2024 
Chris LeCastillo is the Innovations Manager of the Stanford 3D and Quantitative Imaging Laboratory, where he is a Radiologic Technologist and a Certified Imaging Informatics Professional. He helps drive forward meaningful innovations in 3D printing, medical imaging AI, and manages the XR Neurosurgical Navigation program at Stanford. Chris holds a Bachelor of Science in Health Information Management and a Master of Health Leadership. He is a speaker at our recent virtual event, Point of Care 3D Printing.
When was the first encounter you had with 3D printing? What was that experience like? What were you thinking at that moment?
Chris: My first encounter with 3D printing was on the job, out of necessity, since my manager
at the time needed help with the program. Always interested in new ways to apply my
skills as a 3D technologist, I was excited to jump head-first into the world of clinical 3D
printing.
What inspired you to start your journey?
Chris: Again, I was introduced to 3D printing out of necessity, but I decided to fully invest after
seeing all the different clinical applications and their potential to help patients.
Who inspired you the most along this journey in 3D printing ?
Chris: Jane Matsumoto and Jonathan Morris, seeing what they have done with 3D printing at
Mayo Clinic is truly an inspiration.
What motivates you the most for your work?
Chris: The opportunity to help patients.
What is/are the biggest obstacle(s) in your line of work? If you have conquered them, what were your solutions?
Chris: Time; there’s always too many things to do and never enough time to do it all, so it ends
up being a battle of what needs to be done first.
What do you think is (are) the most significant challenge(s) in 3D Printing? What do you think the potential solution(s) is (are)?
Chris: One of the biggest challenges in 3D printing for us is meeting short turnaround times for
patients who have surgery within days of their scan because they’re from out of town.
Compounding on that challenge is that while getting imaging done in their
hometown may make sense, the quality may not meet our standards. The next best
option is optimizing the imaging ordering workflow so that any 3D print needed for surgery in
less than a week is flagged as STAT.
If you were granted three wishes by a higher being, what would they be?
Chris: Establish worldwide peace and unity, end worldwide food/water insecurity, and give
humanity the ability to reverse the damage we’ve done to our planet and maintain it for
generations to come.
What advice would you give to a smart driven college student in the “real world”? What bad advices have you heard they should ignore?
Chris: Don’t stress about finding your life’s calling in college. Sometimes, it doesn’t come until
later, and that’s okay. Do what feels right for you, and the rest will fall into place, even if
it means not becoming the doctor, lawyer, or engineer your parents want you to
be.
What’s your favorite book you read this year and why? Alternatively, what’s your favorite book of all time you read and why?
Chris: The last time I remember reading a book for fun was in grade school many years
ago. It was the Harry Potter series because I liked escaping to the worlds of Fantasy and
Sci-Fi. These days, I enjoy podcasts like Science Vs because it’s fun to learn about things
and it can make doing housework less of a chore.
Related Links:
Silvina Zabala-Travers: Point of Care 3D Printing Lab
3D Printing at Point of Care (Expert Corner)
Medical 3D Printing – An Indian Perspective on Point of Care Micro Labs
3D Printing In Hospitals: A Beginner’s Guide 1/5
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