Adam Jakus, Ph.D.: is the co-founder and Chief Technology of Dimension Inx LLC, a start-up developing transformative advanced manufacturing materials and processes for medical and non-medical spaces. Adam received his BS and MS degrees in Materials Science and Engineering from Georgia Tech, where he worked on the development and testing of new energetic material systems. In 2010, he began working at Northwestern University with Dimension Inx’s other co-founder, Ramille Shah, Ph.D. While at Northwestern, Adam invented and developed an entirely new, materials-centric approach to 3D printing and advanced manufacturing, now referred to as 3D-Painting, and hundreds of new 3D-printable materials for medical and non-medical purposes. These materials include, but are not limited to the high tissue and organ regenerative Hyperelastic Bone™, 3D-Graphene, Tissue Papers, and Fluffy-X. With approximately 10 years and many thousands of hours of bioprinting and tissue regenerative 3D-Printing experience, Adam leads the field, providing expertise to several not-for-profit bodies looking to establish guidelines, guidance, and certifications related to the emerging fields of tissue and organ fabrication. He is the author of numerous granted and pending patents, high-impact medical and non-medical publications, book chapters, and editorials related to advanced manufacturing and 3D printing of biomaterials and non-materials. Dr. Jakus will be a speaker at the upcoming 3DHEALS virtual event: NAMIC/3DHEALS Startup ShowCase

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Jenny: When was the first encounter you had with 3D printing? What was that experience like? What were you thinking at that moment?

Adam: My first experience with 3D-printing/additive manufacturing was back in late 2010/2011 as part of Prof. Ramille Shah’s newly established research lab at Northwestern University (no longer at Northwestern), when our group purchased one of the very first Manufacturing Series 3D-BioPlotters from EnvisionTEC. My initial thoughts were “This is really neat, but the materials currently compatible with the system are terrible for biological/clinical applications and just terrible in general” and “these materials that do exist are a real pain to print”. As a Materials Engineer, upon thinking that, I realized there was a major need and an opportunity to focus on developing new 3D-Printable materials of all kinds, not just biomaterials, that were not only highly functional (beyond materials for models or inert gels like alginates, celluloses, gel-Mas, etc.,  thermoplastics like PCLs, PLAs, PEEKs, etc., the endless variety of photopolymers, simple metals and alloys; all of which were still quite common in the field in the 2000s and early 2010s), but also very scalable, easy to implement, and infinitely versatile. That thought, combined with my prior 5-6 years research experience with creating structural thermites and other “energetic” materials, made me realize that were endless opportunities before me with this neat, but ultimately simple (just an X, Y, Z extruder) machine. These efforts resulted in the development of what is now referred to as the 3D-Paint and 3D-Painting technology platform – a exceptionally versatile means of designing and producing a near endless variety of 3D-printable materials (from biomaterials, to electronic materials, ceramics, metals and alloys, and every extraterrestrial materials), including what we now call Hyperelastic Bone™ (First demonstrated in 2011), 3D-Graphene, Fluffy-X™, Tissue Papers, 3D-Metals and 3D-Alloys, and more. As 3D-printing was becoming increasingly popular among industry and enthusiasts, it was clear there was a real need for new materials beyond those previously mentioned. Thus, Ramille Shah and I founded Dimension Inx in 2016 – with the goal of not only transforming medicine but also the broader manufacturing industry. 

Jenny: What inspired you to start your journey in 3D printing ?

Adam: As mentioned previously, I somewhat stumbled into it initially. Upon seeing a really advanced piece of 3D-Printing machinery with great hardware and software, but very limited materials capabilities, I saw an opportunity/unmet need. As I learned more about the field, I also thought it was crazy that so much effort was being spent on hardware and software related to 3D-Printing but not the actual material that was to be 3D-Printed. Even with the most advanced piece of machinery in the world, if you can only print inert plastics, simple metals, non-clinically relevant gels, what is the point? As the development of the new materials progressed, and as broader awareness and education of 3D-printing increased among researchers and industry, there was increasing demand from researchers, industry, and physicians, our new advanced 3D-printable materials – a demand we could not sustain as being part of a not-for-profit University. Thus, Ramille Shah and I founded Dimension Inx in 2016, where I Have been full time since 2017. 

Jenny: Who inspired you the most along this journey in 3D printing ? 

Adam: I can’t say that anyone, in particular, inspired me during this time. But the continuous affirmation from researchers, doctors, and industry that they really needed something different from the basic hydrogels, thermoplastics, photopolymers, and metals and alloys kept my energy high throughout the entire process. Also, it is incredibly exciting to hand a new material, in 3D-printed form, to a physician and see their excitement when they learn what it is and what it does – the number of ideas they generate when they realize, for example, that a bioceramic can be flexible and surgically friendly (or a flexible graphene patch can be rapidly produced), is inspiring.  These professionals have been stuck with existing materials for so long, they didn’t realize certain things were not only possible but now available. 

Jenny: What motivates you the most for your work? 

Adam: Two things motivate me the most. First, at my core, I am a materials engineer. In the same way, mechanical or electrical engineering might enjoy tinkering to create new pieces of machinery or electronics, I get substantial joy and fulfillment from tinkering with materials and processes to create new materials with properties that didn’t previously exist. That curiosity and seeing what I can do and how I can push materials motivates me intellectually. Second, at the end of my days of designing new materials, it is extremely motivating to know that they serve a real need and can potentially make the lives of others better or save their lives outright. One needs this real motivation on the medical side of things because it is a slow process to get it to patients, especially when you are talking about revolutionary new technologies.

Jenny: What is/are the biggest obstacle(s) in your line of work? If you have conquered them, what were your solutions? 

Adam: In medical 3D-Printing in general, I would say there are two major classes of obstacles: hype/undereducation and lack of relevant materials. On the first item, hype/undereducation, I, unfortunately, find myself having to correct misperceptions and poor knowledge primarily generated by social and traditional media. The lack of knowledge of the field, which is still not taught in most universities to science or engineering students (that needs to change), is pervasive among not only the general public but also academics, researchers, industry, investors, physicians, and others, in combination with easy means of sharing stories via social media, creates a very challenging environment and slows down the progression of the field. A broad example is equating surgical model 3D-printing, with advanced biomaterial (regenerative) 3D-printing, and bioprinting (printing lives cells and tissues). These are very different fields, with the first being around for ~30 years and approaching the standard of care in many places, and the latter, being older than most expect (the early 2000s). Because of this lack of awareness, even academic and industry researchers spend significant time and resources “reinventing the wheel” of technologies first established and tried in the early 2000s or even earlier. Additionally, lack of knowledge of the field among government funding organizations led to a big gap of funding in the early 2010s for advanced 3D-printing technologies (but they were being equated to surgical models). These organizations are finally beginning to fund research in this area, but missed a major opportunity in the early 2010s.

On the technical side of things, the major obstacle has always been materials. The common materials we see being 3D-printed in medicine today have been 3D-printed and applied for 20-30 years. They’re not new, nor is 3D-printing or additive manufacturing technology. Materials matter… a 3D-printed plastic heart, regardless of how many colors it has, may be good for surgical planning and education, but it would never be suitable as a substitution for the actual heart. Geometry the same, the difference in materials. The biological heart needs to be comprised of living materials or very highly bioactive materials that transform into living material in the presence of biological signaling. This is very different from plastic or even metal. As the field does become more educated, however, the realization that materials matter is becoming more and more prevalent and more and more materials engineers are joining the field. 

Jenny: What do you think is (are) the biggest challenge(s) in 3D Printing/bio-printing? What do you think the potential solution(s) is (are)?

Adam: See previous response. The biggest challenges, at the moment, are education/cutting through hype and misinformation, funding (connected to education), and lack of available materials. A first step would be to establish a certified university curriculum around Medical 3D-Printing, with two distinct tracts: surgical modeling, guides, permanent implantables, and advanced biomaterials and bioprinting. An additional step would be for those of us who are deep in the field to actively educate and counter inaccurate stories when we seem. Finally, a body of knowledge, certifications, and quality and standards need to be established – which is currently the focus of several major US national organizations. 

Jenny: If you are granted three wishes by a higher being, what would they be?  

Adam:

1. To have more time in the day.
2. To be able to know instantly if someone needs medical help and has problems that could be addressed by our materials.

Jenny: What advice would you give to a smart driven college student in the “real world”? What bad advice you heard should they ignore? 

Adam: Most important piece of advice I can give is “diversify your knowledge”. IF you want to go into bioprinting, get experience/education doing something else first (metallurgy, art, mechanical engineering, anything else), then get into the field. What is common, every day, and unremarkable in one field may be unheard of in another. It is important to bring that diversity into the field you want to pursue. If everyone in the same field has the same knowledge and training, how can the field expect to progress? Second, specifically for the world of 3D-printing (medical and non-medical), university education and research is typically farther behind what is known and already being done in the industry – this is quite unique to this field (it is usually the other way around). As such, I encourage students to go to industry shows and events rather than just academic/research events. You’ll be amazed at the differences in this field. 

Jenny: If you could have a giant billboard to promote a message to millions and even billions of people in our community (i.e. healthcare 3D printing and bio-fabrication), what message would that be? 

Adam: “Biofabrication: Let’s work together!” I say that because there are too many islands of efforts right now, with many groups reinventing the wheel or completely unaware of what is being done by other groups. The technology is there, the motivation is there, the need is there – it’s just a matter of education and communication at this point. 

Jenny: What were/was the best investment you made in 3D printing/bio-printing/bio-fabrication? 

Adam: Throwing my whole life behind new materials development for 3D-printing.

Jenny: What were/was the worst investment you made in 3D printing/bio-printing/bio-fabrication? 

Adam: Can’t think of one, other than possibly spending too much time of my time pursuing this while in academia. Academia is still catching up to where the technology actually is. 

Jenny: What was/is the biggest risk you took in your career?

Adam: Co-Founding and putting all my resources into our current company, Dimension Inx, despite having many other options on the table. It’s been risky, but I am so glad I did it!

Jenny: What do you enjoy in your spare time? What are you passionate about outside of your work/3d printing?

Adam: I am actually passionate about 3D-Printing outside of my work/3D-Printing 😊 I pursue art and cooking. I have an art company based on my 3D-printed pieces/technology. Art, like cooking, is not only a low-pressure way to explore new methods and approaches without care, but it is an excellent means of communicating to those outside of the hard technology fields. My art has been exhibited at several major international events and there are two museum events upcoming in May 2019 where some of my pieces (based around advanced biomaterial 3D-printing) will be exhibited. 

Jenny: What is your favorite quote? Why?

Adam: Two Quotes:

1. “Let the future tell the truth, and evaluate each one according to his work and accomplishments. The present is theirs; the future, for which I have really worked, is mine” ― Nikola Tesla

Because I am in a very difficult, emerging, potentially transformative field. There are so many obstacles to overcome and work to complete today, but I really do it for what that future might bring, where medical treatment and technology is transformed. 

2. “If I had an hour to solve a problem I’d spend 55 minutes thinking about the problem and five minutes thinking about solutions.” ― Albert Einstein

Because, as an engineer, with so many tools, materials, and skillsets at my fingertips, but so limited time, it is important to understand exactly what should be the focus of my efforts. There it a lot of good work and research that looks for a problem, but there are so many problems that aren’t the focused subject of work and research. 

Jenny: What does the word “3DHEALS” mean to you?  =)

Adam: It means more motivation. The field has been around a long time now but is finally beginning to pick up steam because of collective organizations, such as 3DHEALS, making the broader push.

Related Links:

Bone Grafts: Inducing Bone Regeneration with 3D Printed Porosity

3DHEALS2020 Session 17. Biofabrication Ecosystem

Interview with Adam Clark, Tangible Solutions

Bio Fabrication Techniques for Bone and Cartilage Tissue Regeneration

Interview: Professor Adam Feinberg, Carnegie Mellon University, CTO and co-founder FluidForm

The post Interview: Adam Jakus, Chief Technology of DimensionInx appeared first on 3DHeals.

Albert S. Woo, FACS is a board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon who specializes in the treatment of cleft and craniofacial anomalies. This work has led to a particular interest in three-dimensional imaging and printing of complex surgical models. He is an Associate Professor of Surgery, Pediatrics, and Neurosurgery at The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University and serves as the Chief of the Division of Pediatric Plastic Surgery, Director of the Cleft and Craniofacial Center at Hasbro Children’s Hospital, and Director of the new Lifespan 3D Printing Laboratory.

Besides medical 3D printing, Dr. Woo’s clinical interests include the surgical treatment of patients with craniosynostosis, complex and syndromic craniofacial abnormalities, and cleft deformities. In particular, he is internationally recognized as an expert in cleft palate repair, after having developed a new surgical technique for this procedure. He is also nationally recognized for his expertise in Endoscopic Craniosynostosis Surgery, with numerous papers and national presentations on the subject. With more than 60 peer-reviewed publications, numerous chapters and a book, Dr. Woo remains committed not only to clinical excellence but also to advancing research in the treatment of craniofacial anomalies.

Dr. Woo currently is a member of numerous societies including the American College of Surgeons, the American Society of Maxillofacial Surgeons, the American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association, the American Association of Plastic Surgeons, and the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. He is the recipient of numerous awards, including recognition by Best Doctors in America since 2011 and Castle Connolly’s Top Doctors. Dr. Woo recently co-founded a startup, Implant3D.

Dr. Woo will be presenting at our upcoming 3D Printing in Hospital webinar

Jenny: When was the first encounter you had with 3D printing? What was that experience like? What were you thinking at that moment?

Albert: It was probably during my craniofacial surgery fellowship over a decade ago that I first encountered a 3D printed surgical model. I was amazed at the incredible detail that was present in these models and the fact that they could be sterilized for use in the operating room. Plastic surgeons have been using these types of models for decades now but the incredible power of this technology never ceases to fascinate me.
However, the biggest impact to me came when I obtained our first grant to purchase a professional-grade 3D printer in 2015. This dramatically affected my practice. For the first time, I had control over the 3D models that we printed without going through the multiple steps of ordering it through a vendor. We were able to make models quickly, some printed overnight for surgery the next day, making this technology available even for urgent surgical cases.

Jenny: What inspired you to start your journey in 3D printing?

Albert: As with most things in life, it was pure luck. As I began my career, I inherited a 3D imaging lab started by Dr. Jeffrey Marsh, who is credited (along with Dr. Michael Vannier) with having developed the technology for 3D modeling of 2D CT scans. As we pursued this work, I happened to meet a bioengineer who was interested in 3D printing. Honestly, I hadn’t thought much about printing until then but it was a natural leap in our research. We decided to submit a joint grant proposal for a professional-grade 3D printer, which got me started on the exciting path of looking at the use of 3D printing in medical care.

Jenny: Who inspired you the most along this journey in 3D printing?

Albert: Really, it is a number of people. I cannot laud the work of Dr. Jeffrey Marsh enough, who was a pioneer in the field of 3D craniofacial imaging. I would like the opportunity to carry on some of his work to stand on the shoulders of giants. Beyond this, I have to give credit to my friend and colleague in pediatric cardiology, Dr. Shafkat Anwar. Until we had met, I largely focused on pursuing my own clinical interests in 3D printing and craniofacial imaging. However, he helped to really widen my horizons, pushing me out of my silo to start really examining what 3D printing can do in the field of medicine overall.

Jenny: What motivates you the most for your work?

Albert: This answer is easy. I love what I do and I have fun doing it. It’s even made more special when you realize that the work being performed has direct implications for patient care. Not only is some of the modeling that we do is “cool,” but it has s real impact on people’s lives. What can be better?

Jenny: What is/are the biggest obstacle(s) in your line of work? If you have conquered them, what were your solutions?

Albert: One of the greatest obstacles is simply obtaining the support to do the work that we do in 3D printing. Printers, materials, software, lab space, employees, time, and training all require funding and support. Unfortunately, the value of this technology isn’t always readily apparent to the folks who focus on the financial statements. To help, it has been critical to obtaining buy-in from other clinicians who have benefited from our 3D models. It has also been useful to sit down with administrators to demonstrate the direct impact that our work has on the care of patients in the hospital.

Jenny: What do you think is (are) the biggest challenge(s) in 3D Printing? What do you think the potential solution(s) is (are)?

Albert: 3D printing in medicine is still a fairly nascent industry and it seems like we are constantly pushing the boundaries of what our software or machines are capable of doing. One of the most notable issues is the disconnect between software and hardware. While CAD-CAM technologies are readily available in manufacturing, the medical domain seems to have far fewer options for high-level modeling of DICOM data, particularly if you are utilizing multiple colors and texture maps. I’m sure that these will come with time but there is still a long way to go before medical 3D printing is truly “plug and play.”
Jenny: If you are granted three wishes by a higher being, what would they be?  
Albert: If I could only add another few hours each day and extra days to the week, my life would be perfect! Beyond this, I would love to know everything about 3D modeling and be able to easily impart this knowledge to the world. I think venues like 3DHeals are an excellent avenue to begin an open dialogue so that we can all learn from each other, sharing ideas and techniques, thereby advancing the field of 3D printing in medicine as a whole.
Jenny: What advice would you give to a smart driven college student in the “real world”? What bad advice you heard should they ignore?
Albert: Learn everything you can and don’t limit your fund of knowledge. Explore your creative and artistic sides at the same time that you look into science and technology. I see 3D printing as a canvas to draw upon. The masters will not only have the fundamental skills to use the printer but also the imagination to draw out the best from the technology. Most importantly, don’t get disappointed with failure, and don’t give up.

Jenny: If you could have a giant billboard to promote a message to millions and even billions of people in our community (i.e. healthcare 3D printing and bio-fabrication), what message would that be?

Albert: Collaborate and open your minds. And leave your egos at the door.

Jenny: What were/was the best/worst investment you made in 3D printing?

Albert: I had to learn that I couldn’t do all of this on my own. So really the best thing I did was to hire our 3D coordinator to manage the specifics of the program. As a corollary, the worst thing was to try to do it all myself. This simply led to confusion, delays, and aggravation.

Jenny: What was/is the biggest risk you took in your career?

Albert: I had a great practice at Washington University in St. Louis with a burgeoning 3D program that was just taking off. It was difficult to decide to move to my alma mater, Brown University/Rhode Island Hospital, and start all over again — building a new program from scratch. But it was the right thing to do and I have never regretted that decision.

Jenny: What do you enjoy in your spare time? What are you passionate about outside of your work/3d printing?

Albert: Family comes first. So I do my best to spend as much time with the family as possible.

Jenny: What is your favorite quote? Why?

Albert: “Chance favors the prepared mind.” – Louis Pasteur
Insight and game-changing developments just don’t happen. They are the result of preparation, thought, and previous effort. Even when random opportunities present themselves, some will be better prepared to take advantage of fortuitous events.

Jenny: What does the word “3DHEALS” mean to you?  =)

Albert: 3D printing (and additive manufacturing as a whole) has incredible potential to change the world. We would love to use this new technology to improve healthcare overall.

Related Articles:

Challenges Facing 3D Printing in Reconstructive Surgeries

Webinar Recording: Can 3D Printing Save Us From COVID19 Crisis?

3DHEALS Boston 2018: From Cleft Palate to Bioprinted Lungs, Reality, Dreams, and Ambition

Interview with Roger Kuan, Intellectual Property Concern for Healthcare 3D Printing

Interview with Shannon Walters, Stanford 3D Lab (Video)

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As Head of the Johnson & Johnson 3D Printing Center of Excellence, Sam Onukuri is responsible for integrating 3D printing technology across the J&J Enterprise. He and his team of dedicated engineers drive new materials, processes and software technologies to evolve the business model from what has historically been a product-orientated to a solutions-orientated business model at the point of care. Sam works closely with J&J leaders in Supply Chain, R&D, Commercial, Quality, Regulatory, Legal, and IT across all segments to execute multiple front-end pipelines of technologies related to 3D printing and net-shape technologies.  Developing a network of over 50 external partnerships, J&J is emerging as one of the leaders in 3D printing resulting in product design freedom, consumer and patient-specific product personalization, speed to market, supply chain transformation and materials innovation. Sam has over 25 years of experience in medical devices and an extensive background as a metallurgist and in material sciences. Other J&J roles include Advanced/Front-end Technology leadership for J&J Medical Device and Senior Fellow Engineer within the Ethicon family of companies. Prior to J&J, Sam worked at General Electric and Baxter Healthcare. He is based in Cincinnati, Ohio at the Ethicon Campus.  Sam will be the keynote speaker for 3DHEALS2020 and will also be a panelist at the 3D printing for orthopedics panel.

Jenny: What inspired you to start your career in healthcare 3D printing?

Sam: Growing up in India, I was intrigued by technologies that had the potential for a global impact, and now I have been in the medical device industry for almost 30 years and with Johnson & Johnson for 23 years. As the largest healthcare company, we are in a unique position to integrate 3D printing into meaningful applications for our medical device, consumer health and pharmaceutical businesses. The potential of 3D printing and additive manufacturing technologies to change the trajectory of human health makes me truly excited to be part of this incredible industry.

Jenny: What motivates you the most for your work?

Sam: One word – People. It’s the people I work with every day, the patients and customers who I may affect long-term with innovative products and solutions. Whether it is the inspiration 3D printing technology brings to my team of engineers and scientists, or the transformation of how we deliver smarter health to people across the globe using this technology… I am motivated by both the people who create and the people who benefit from 3D printing solutions.

Jenny: What do you think is (are) the biggest challenge(s) in 3D Printing/bio-printing? What do you think the potential solution(s) is (are)?

Sam: Specifically, with bioprinting, there is still a lot of hype in the media and across the internet. While bioprinting holds promise to create new ways to produce and repair biological tissue, challenges remain in bringing commercially viable tissue products from both a technological and a regulatory perspective. While those challenges are not insurmountable, it will take time, as bioprinting is new and rapidly evolving. We all need to be cognizant of the appropriate advance of science.

Jenny: If you are granted three wishes by a higher being, what would they be?

Sam: I would wish to be able to touch and heal every human being on earth, unrestricted funding to advance science enough to change the trajectory of human health and, selfishly, long life to bring innovation to all people for a longer time.

Jenny: What does the word “3DHEALS” mean to you?  =)

Sam: I love the word 3DHeals. 3D printing potentially promises to bring transformational health to all patients and customers and this word truly bridges the technology to impact human life.

Related Articles:

Metal 3D Printing to Biofabrication: Interview w/ Dr. Herderick

Engineering Vasculatures: Interview w/ Dr. Jordan Miller

Bioprint Heart Components: Fluidform3D CEO Mike Graffeo

From Academia: 3D Printed Pills, 4D Printed Structure, and how to property 3D print Chocolate

The post Interview with Sam Onukuri, Johnson & Johnson appeared first on 3DHeals.

Justin Baker, 3DHEALS Community Manager, Cleveland. Dr. Justin Baker graduated magna cum laude and with university honors in mechanical engineering from Brigham Young University. “I am originally from Idaho Falls, Idaho. I did all my university level schooling in Utah and came out to Cleveland for a post-doctoral fellowship at the Cleveland Clinic. From there, I have worked in the medical device industry for the past 6 years. Currently, I am working on bioprinting and bio-ink (particularly collagen-based) development. (Viscus Biologics) “

Jenny: What made you decide to become a 3DHEALS community manager?

Justin: I’m working in 3D bioprinting and bio-ink development and it makes sense to expand my network and influence in this area. Cleveland is also a growing medical device hub.

Jenny: What do you think of innovations in healthcare 3D printing or bioprinting?

Justin: Recent innovations include proof of concept bioprinting of the cornea. In the next five years, I would love to see bioprinting of acellular scaffolds for wounds and patient-specific surgical applications. In the next 10 years, we have the potential to start getting into cellular-loaded bioprinting applications for volumetric muscle loss and tissue regeneration.

I have previously worked for an orthopedic software company where we 3D printed patient-specific bone models for preoperative planning of total shoulder arthroplasty operations.

Jenny: What are some of the risks or adventures you have taken?

Justin: Soon after I turned 19 years old, I served as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for two years. I served in Washington, D.C. speaking Spanish to the Spanish-speaking community there. That was certainly an adventure that shaped my life. Hopes or regrets? I hope one day to write a book or get more into art or painting.

Jenny: Who would you like to find and to include in the 3DHEALS community you are building?

Justin: Cleveland has a good Additive Manufacturing Cluster, and I would like to especially reach out to that group and involve members of that cluster that are looking to include the healthcare space.

Jenny: What would you like to accomplish with this new 3DHEALS community in the future?

Justin: I am hoping to increase the visibility of 3D Bioprinting in Cleveland.

Jenny: What do you think about the innovation environment (for health tech or for general technology) in your city? What can be done to improve it?

Justin: Cleveland is a growing city in terms of investment. Cleveland has advantages in that there is a strong gathering of manufacturing capability nearby and it has the benefit of also having strong healthcare/hospital partners nearby in Cleveland Clinic, University Hospitals, and MetroHealth. From what I have heard, Cleveland could benefit by having a stronger VC, Angel Investor, and CEO-talent base.

Jenny: What are you most proud of about your city?

Justin: Cleveland is a wonderful and affordable place to live and raise a family. Cleveland is so close to everything – forests, parks, lakes, city dining, professional sports, Broadway-level theatre, Amish country, you name it—and we don’t have bad traffic. It’s the best-kept secret in the country.

Jenny: What are you most proud of about the innovation community in your city?

Justin: Cleveland and Ohio, in general, are like “Everyman USA”. Cleveland isn’t the most flashy, but we get things done and often do it better than others and without pomp and circumstance. Cleveland is becoming a medical device and additive manufacturing hub. It makes sense to leverage that with bioprinting and 3DHeals.

Jenny: What do you think are the top priorities in healthcare innovations for your city/community?

Justin: This depends on your perspective. I would say that politically that Ohio has been hit hard by the opioid epidemic and that solving that crisis is in need of healthcare innovation. From other perspectives, the start-up environment in Ohio is healthy – particularly from spin-offs from the hospitals and universities.

Jenny: What do you do for fun?

Justin: Husband and father to 5 kids. I am active in my church. I enjoy going on dates with my wife, watching movies, eating out, ice cream and donuts—and exercising, to make sure that the ice cream and donuts don’t stick around. 😊

I also enjoy gardening. Growing fruit trees and keeping chickens and a dog.

Jenny: What is your favorite quote? 

Justin:

“The more we serve our fellow men in appropriate ways, the more substance there is to our souls. We become more substantive as we serve others—indeed, it’s easier to find ourselves because there’s so much more of us to find.” – D. Todd Cristofferson

https://3dheals.com/3dheals-community-manager-interview-benjamin-holmes-washington-d-c/

https://3dheals.com/3dheals-influencer-interview-adam-jakus-ph-d-chief-technology-of-dimension-inx-llc/

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Gabe Linke has been in the imaging profession for over 10 years as a technologist in MRI. He received his Bachelors in Radiation Sciences from the University of Nebraska Medical Center. 2 years ago he became the Cardiac Imaging & 3D Printing Coordinator for Children’s Hospital and Medical Center in Omaha Nebraska. His original duties involved overseeing Cardiac CT and MRI and starting their 3D printing program. This program started with 3D printing cardiac models for presurgical planning. It has since grown outside of cardiology and is hospital-wide serving multiple subspecialties with presurgical planning, educational modeling, and numerous research applications. Gabe will also be a speaker for our upcoming 3DHEALS OMAHA: AdvancedTek, Healthcare 3D Printing event.

Jenny: When was the first encounter you had with 3D printing? What was that experience like? What were you thinking at that moment?

Gabe: I experienced 3D printing for the first time when I accepted my position at Omaha Children’s Hospital. I was in my second interview for a cardiac imaging coordinator position and Dr. Scott Fletcher handed me a printed heart from a case they had done.  It blew me away to hold the replica of the child’s heart in my hand and I immediately could see the potential this technology would have to impact healthcare.

Jenny: What inspired you to start your journey in 3D printing (bio-fabrication/bio-printing)?

Gabe: After accepting the job at Omaha Children’s I was shown the printer that we had received as a gift to start our own in-house 3D printing program. The program started in Cardiology, but as I saw the way these 3D Models impacted the way our Cardio-thoracic surgeons I knew we had to do more. Seeing the impact in the first few cases inspired me to go to my directors and expand the program to a hospital-wide 3D printing service.

Jenny: Who inspired you the most along this journey in 3D printing (bio-printing/bio-fabrication)? This can be a mentor, a patient, a celebrity, anyone basically. You can name more than one as well.

Gabe: I think I would have to say Dr. Scott Fletcher after my answer earlier right? Scott gave me the gift of this job and I will forever be grateful to him. He has taught me so much about congenital cardiology and has supported me every step of the way as this program continues to grow.

Dr. Jorge Zuniga has taught me so much about the technology of 3D printing and the global impact we can have using this technology together. I very early on adopted his vision for open collaboration is paramount in a successful program. I am honored to call him a personal friend and colleague.

Jenny: What motivates you the most for your work?

Gabe: Our patients, period. I joined the medical profession for one reason and that was to help people. Seeing a child set down an iPad to better understand why he’s having an operation, hearing a surgeon speak on how they did a better procedure or operation due to a 3D model, or hearing how much better a nurse can do her job because she was handed a 3D model of a patient’s heart. All of these are helping a patient through one means or another to have better care.

Jenny: What is/are the biggest obstacle(s) in your line of work? If you have conquered them, what were your solutions?

Gabe: One of the biggest obstacles, was growing our program outside of Cardiology. My solution was easy:  Dr. Lincoln Wong. Dr. Wong, one of our radiologists, adopted this technology and showed it to everyone. He would be reading a case and see where the application could help a surgeon and would have a model made. He would take these models to the surgeons and that was it. Our hospital now prints for multiple subspecialties and we continue to grow. Dr. Wong’s passion for 3D printing has been paramount in the expansion of our program.

Jenny: What do you think is (are) the biggest challenge(s) in 3D Printing/bio-printing? What do you think the potential solution(s) is (are)?

Gabe: I have to admit that I have to answer this from a perspective that I do not personally know. Omaha Children’s has been very supportive of its 3D Printing Program, but in general, I think that funding for these programs is the biggest challenge. This will take care of itself in time, as I believe that reimbursement is inevitable based on the positive impacts 3D models are having on patient care.

Jenny: If you are granted three wishes by a higher being, what would they be?

Gabe:

1. A life full of love: it is the single most powerful thing in the universe and can overcome anything put in its way.
2. The cure for mental illness/addiction.
3. The Flashes Speed ( had to lighten the mood a little)

Jenny: What advice would you give to a smart driven college student in the “real world”? What bad advice you heard should they ignore?

Gabe: Find something that you’re passionate about and you enjoy doing and figure out how to turn it into your job.

Bad advice: Do a job just for the money.

The post Interview: Gabe Linke, 3D Printing Coordinator, Omaha Children’s Hospital 🗓 appeared first on 3DHeals.

Sean Boatright is a Certified Prosthetist, practicing in the East Bay.  He studied prosthetics at Cal State Dominguez Hills and has been working in the field of Orthotics and Prosthetics since 2006.  He has been with Diablo Prosthetics & Orthotics in Walnut Creek, CA for the past 6 years. Had one of the first patients to walk on an entirely 3D printed prosthesis and continues to utilize the technology to better provide for his patients.

Mr. Boatright will be speaking at the San Francisco event!

Jenny: When was the first encounter you had with 3D printing? What was that experience like? What were you thinking at that moment?

Sean: My first encounter with 3D printing, which was actually two events that happened almost simultaneously, was around 2014.  The first of the two happened as I came across a movie on Netflix called “Print the Legend.” Very shortly after I was introduced to Jeff Huber, CEO of Standard Cyborg.  Both had immediately opened my eyes to the capabilities of this technology.

Jenny: What inspired you to start your journey in 3D printing (bio-fabrication/bio-printing)?

Sean: My excitement of how I could apply this technology into my field inspired me to get more involved in 3D printing.

Jenny: Who inspired you the most along this journey in 3D printing ? This can be a mentor, a patient, a celebrity, anyone basically. You can name more than one as well.

Sean: I was most inspired by Jeff Huber of Standard Cyborg.  His passion not only for the technology but how he approached the application of 3D printing to help the amputee population was very impressive.

Jenny: What motivates you the most for your work?

Sean: Having a positive influence on my patients’ lives and being able to help them along their journey to attaining their goals.

Jenny: What is/are the biggest obstacle(s) in your line of work? If you have conquered them, what were your solutions?

Sean: Each patient of mine presents with a very unique situation.  There is never one solution that works for everyone so my job is to understand what certain obstacles may be and why they are happening.  Then create a plan to rectify the problem and enhance how the patient’s prosthesis or orthosis functions/fits for them.

Jenny: What do you think is (are) the biggest challenge(s) in 3D Printing/bio-printing? What do you think the potential solution(s) is (are)?

Sean: The biggest challenge has been getting other practitioners that have been in the field longer than myself, to actually learn this technology and put it into practice.  Also, issues with material strength and cost-effectiveness are a common theme.

Jenny: What advice would you give to a smart driven college student in the “real world”? What bad advice you heard should they ignore?

Sean: I still feel very fortunate to have begun my career in O&P at a time where hand casting and plaster modifications were the only methods of fabricating prostheses and orthoses.  My advice would be to students would be to not completely discount those hand skills. Dedicate some time to learn and put into practice those skills. For me having that experience has enhanced my ability to translate the core principles of socket design from a plaster model to a computer screen.

Jenny: If you could have a giant billboard to promote a message to millions and even billions of people in our community (i.e. healthcare 3D printing and bio-fabrication), what message would that be?

Sean: We have things to do.  It’s time to get up and do them.

Jenny: What were/was the best/worst investment you made in 3D printing/bio-printing/bio-fabrication?

Sean: Committing the time to learn and now continue to use the scanning and modeling software has been the best investment for me as a practitioner.

I can’t say I have made any bad investments so far.  I will say that we, as a company, had looked into purchasing 3D printers for our offices and if we did that a few years ago I don’t think that would have been the best decision at the time.

Jenny: What do you enjoy in your spare time? What are you passionate about outside of your work/3d printing?

Sean: I enjoy traveling and spending quality time with my wife.  I also compete professionally in BBQ competitions throughout the year.

Jenny: What is your favorite quote? Why?

Sean: “Progress is not achieved by luck or accident, but by working on yourself daily.”

Jenny: What does the word “3DHEALS” mean to you? =)

Sean: 3DHEALS to me represents passionate individuals who want to make a significant impact in the medical field and patients’ lives.

The post Interview: Mr. Sean Boatright, Certified Prosthetist at Diablo Prosthetics and Orthotics appeared first on 3DHeals.

Sujatha Buddhe, MBBS, MS, is an attending physician at the Seattle Children’s Hospital and assistant professor in the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Washington School of Medicine. Dr. Buddhe earned her medical degree from the Osmania Medical College, Hyderabad, India. She completed her pediatrics residency at the Brookdale University Hospital and Medical Center, NY and pediatric cardiology fellowship at the Children’s Hospital of Michigan. Her advanced fellowship training in pediatric cardiac non-invasive imaging was completed at the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital in New York. She earned her Master’s degree in Clinical research and statistical analysis at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. She is board certified in pediatrics and pediatric cardiology.

Dr. Buddhe will be a speaker at the Seattle, Washington event!

Jenny: When was the first encounter you had with 3D printing? What was that experience like? What were you thinking at that moment?

Sujatha: My first experience was when I started in Seattle Children’s. We then just started using 3D printing for planning complex intracardiac surgeries. Initially, as always, we were skeptical about the approach. As we started using this more, we found it extremely useful and amazing every time.
Jenny: What inspired you to start your journey in 3D printing?

Sujatha: Seeing how it can improve patient outcomes. I am also inspired by how we could improve parent/medical personnel education.

Jenny: Who inspired you the most along this journey in 3D printing?  

Sujatha: My mentor Dr. Stephen Seslar

Jenny: What motivates you the most for your work?

Sujatha: My patients. The possibilities for making a positive difference.

Jenny: What is/are the biggest obstacle(s) in your line of work? If you have conquered them, what were your solutions?

Sujatha: Time and Funding.

Jenny: What do you think is (are) the biggest challenge(s) in 3D Printing/bio-printing? What do you think the potential solution(s) is (are)?

Sujatha: Biggest challenges are funding/reimbursement.
Solutions are studies demonstrating the effectiveness and clinical use of these modalities

Jenny: What advice would you give to a smart driven college student in the “real world”? What bad advice you heard should they ignore?

Sujatha: The possibilities are endless. Just give your best effort and never let anyone tell you otherwise.

Jenny: What do you enjoy in your spare time? What are you passionate about outside of your work/3d printing?

Sujatha: Spending time with my family/kids, traveling, cooking.

Jenny: What does the word “3DHEALS” mean to you?  =)

Sujatha: Using 3dimensional models either by printing or by novel visualization modalities (hopefully with bio-printing) to heal our patient’s hearts and improve our communication/education/understanding.

Check out these interviews:

Interview: Sean Looi, General Manager of Creatz3D Pte Ltd

Interview: Daisy Zhu, Co-founder of 3D Science Valley

Interview: Dr. Chen Ching Kit, Pediatric Cardic 3D Printing, Singapore

The post Interview: Dr. Sujatha Buddhe, Pediatric 3D Printing, Seattle appeared first on 3DHeals.

(What advice would you give to a smart driven college student in the “real world”? What bad advice you heard should they ignore?)

“My recommendation to students at all levels is to stay focused on your goals. What I mean is that you should pursue opportunities that will help you achieve your goals. And when presented with these opportunities, do your best to perform well. There may come a point in time when you have to choose between your current goal and a new opportunity that might take you in a different direction. Whichever direction you choose, stay focused and do not regret the decision that you made.”

Alshakim Nelson is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Washington. He received his Ph.D. in organic chemistry from the University of California, Los Angeles in 2004, where he worked with Sir J. Fraser Stoddart on carbohydrate-containing polymers and macrocycles. He was then an NIH postdoctoral fellow at the California Institute of Technology working for Professor Robert Grubbs on olefin metathesis catalysts for the formation of supramolecular ensembles. Dr. Nelson joined IBM Almaden Research Center as a Research Staff Member for 10 years, where he focused on the synthesis of nanomaterial building blocks that enabled large area nanomanufacturing via self-assembly. In 2015, Dr. Nelson joined the faculty at the UW, where his research group focuses on the synthesis, characterization, and processing of stimuli-responsive hydrogels for 3D printing. Dr. Nelson has over 40 publications and 11 issued patents, and in 2011 he was designated as an IBM Master Inventor. He has also been recognized as an ACS PMSE Young Investigator in 2012, a 2016 Kavli Fellow, and is a recipient of the NSF CAREER award and 3M Non-Tenured Faculty Award.

Alshakim Nelson will be a speaker at the Seattle event

Jenny: When was the first encounter you had with 3D printing? What was that experience like? What were you thinking at that moment?

Alshakim: I cannot remember my first encounter specifically, but an early encounter was when I was listening to the radio and the discussion was about how several of the local libraries now had 3D printers available for free use. It really struck me how accessible 3D printing had become.

Jenny: What inspired you to start your journey/company/career/research in 3D printing (bio-fabrication/bio-printing)?

Alshakim: The 3D printing ecosystem is comprised of 1) hardware, i.e. the actual printer, 2) software and modeling, and finally 3) the materials with which you print. My group focuses on developing stimuli-responsive materials. The reason why we became involved in 3D printing is because we believe there is an opportunity to have an impact on the 3D printing field by developing new materials customized specifically for 3D printing. One approach is to think about the stimuli-responsive behaviors that are required of materials for 3D printing.

Jenny: Who inspired you the most along this journey in 3D printing (bio-printing/bio-fabrication)? This can be a mentor, a patient, a celebrity, anyone basically. You can name more than one as well.

Alshakim: I would not say that I am inspired by one person, but it is the entire field of 3D printing that has me in awe.

Jenny: What motivates you the most for your work?

Nelson Research lab – The cube is printed in thin latticed layers, before the hydrogel is cured with ultraviolet light so that it retains its shape. Each cube is around 1 cubic centimeter in each dimension. Once printed, they’re placed in a glucose solution to ferment and transform the solution into alcohol. At present, the 3D-printed cubes have been continuing to ferment for upwards of four months — with no sign of that abating in the immediate future.

Alshakim: The students on our team motivate me the most. The excitement that they have for their projects is contagious! 

Jenny: What is/are the biggest obstacle(s) in your line of work? If you have conquered them, what were your solutions?

Alshakim: The biggest obstacle with respect to materials for 3D printing is to define the properties that make a resin or an ink printable. Even then, after an object has been printed, we still need to achieve the material properties required for the target application.

Jenny: What do you think is (are) the biggest challenge(s) in 3D Printing/bio-printing? What do you think the potential solution(s) is (are)?

Alshakim: The biggest challenge to 3D printing/bio-printing is to develop new products and applications that are now possible because we are not limited to the traditional methods of engineering apart.

Jenny: If you are granted three wishes by a higher being, what would they be?  

Alshakim: Not sure, but one of them would be more wishes, of course.

Jenny: What advice would you give to a smart driven college student in the “real world”? What bad advice you heard should they ignore?

Alshakim: My recommendation to students at all levels is to stay focused on your goals. What I mean is that you should pursue opportunities that will help you achieve your goals. And when presented with these opportunities, do your best to perform well. There may come a point in time when you have to choose between your current goal and a new opportunity that might take you in a different direction. Whichever direction you choose, stay focused and do not regret the decision that you made.

Jenny: If you could have a giant billboard to promote a message to millions and even billions of people in our community (i.e. healthcare 3D printing and bio-fabrication), what message would that be?

Alashakim: Think out of the box and get to printing!

Jenny: What do you enjoy in your spare time? What are you passionate about outside of your work/3d printing?

Alshakim: I like spending time with my family. The kids are still at a fun age, and I am sure that it won’t be long before they are 3D printing as well.

Jenny: What does the word “3DHEALS” mean to you?  =)

Alshakim: Using 3D printing to solve the challenges that face our society.

You may also be interested in the following:

Interview: Lee Dockstader, Director of Vertical Market Development of HP

Interview: Dr. August de Oliveira, 3D Printing in Dentistry

Interview: Dr. Sanjay Sinha, Interventional Pediatric Cardiologist, UCLA

The post Interview: Prof. Alshakim Nelson, UW appeared first on 3DHeals.

(激励您从事3D打印的因素是什么？  

What are the factors that motivate you to engage in 3D printing?)

 “改变加工工艺，提高加工精度和效率，可复制，可追溯”

“Change processing technology, improve processing accuracy and efficiency, can be copied, and it’s traceable”

Jenny: 您第一次接触3D打印是什么时候？在什么情况下？那一刻的感受是什么？
When was the first time you touched 3D printing? under what conditions? What was the feeling at that moment?
Dr. Jing: 2012年，立项上马3D打印项目，外出考察不同厂家的设备情况。看了Objet产品，打印出的脚有神经、血管、骨骼，打印的手机壳子硬的，按键是软的，感觉很神奇，太棒了。

Dr. Jing: In 2012, the project launched a 3D printing project to go out and inspect the equipment of different manufacturers. Looked at the object product, the printed foot has nerves, blood vessels, bones, the printed phone case is hard, the buttons are soft, it’s great.
Jenny: 是什么因素促使您开始研究或从事3D打印（生物制造/生物打印）？
What prompted you to start research or engage in 3D printing (biological manufacturing/bioprinting)?
Dr. Jing: 6年前引进了CAD-CAM那是做减法，现在对做加法的3D打印很期待。口腔数字化是发展趋势。希望打印技术替代传统的加工工艺。
Dr. Jing: The introduction of CAD-CAM 6 years ago is a subtraction, and is now looking forward to 3D printing for addition. Oral digitization is a development trend. It is hoped that printing technology will replace the traditional processing technology.
Jenny:激励您从事3D打印的因素是什么？  
What are the factors that motivate you to engage in 3D printing?
Dr. Jing: 改变加工工艺，提高加工精度和效率，可复制，可追溯
Dr. Jing: Change processing technology, improve processing accuracy and efficiency, can be copied, and it’s traceable
Jenny: 您工作中最大的障碍是什么？如果您已经克服了这些障碍，您用的是什么方法？
What is the biggest obstacle in your work? If you have overcome these obstacles, what method do you use?
Dr. Jing: 设备不够用
Dr. Jing: There is not enough equipment
Jenny: 您认为“3D打印/生物打印”的最大挑战是什么？应对这些挑战的潜在解决方案是什么？
What do you think is the biggest challenge of “3D printing / bio-printing”? What are the potential solutions to these challenges?
Dr. Jing: 伦理、法规、政府许可
Dr. Jing: Ethics, regulations, and government permits
Jenny: 针对“现实生活”，您给大学生的建议是什么？您觉得什么样的建议是不可取的，是他们不应采纳的？
What are your suggestions for college students for “real life”? What kind of advice do you think is not advisable, they should not adopt it?
Dr. Jing: 大学生要多读书，人生什么时期做什么事，不切实际的建议是不可取的。
Dr. Jing: It is not advisable for college students to read more and what to do in life. Unrealistic advice is not advisable.
Jenny: 如果您有机会通过一个巨大的广告牌，向我们这个行业（如：医疗3D打印和生物制造）的数百万人，甚至数亿人宣传一个理念，您会在这个广告牌上写一条什么样的信息？
If you have the opportunity to promote a concept to millions of people in our industry (eg medical 3D printing and bio-manufacturing) through a huge billboard, what would you write on this billboard? Information?
Dr. Jing: 化繁为简，无所不能
Dr. Jing: Make things simple, omnipotent
Jenny: 您的人生格言是什么？为什么?
What is your life motto? why?

Dr. Jing: 踏实做事，诚实做人。因为事做好了有饭吃、人做好了有路走。
Dr. Jing: Be practical and be honest. Because things are done well, there are people to eat, people are ready to go.

The post Interview: Dr. Jing Jianlong, Dental 3D Printing, China appeared first on 3DHeals.

Community: Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas

3DHEALS members can get in touch with Mr. Asher Breverman here

Jenny: Tell us, what is one quote that represents you?
Asher: Being smart will count for nothing if you don’t make the world a better place
Jenny: Tell us a little about yourself. (Where are you from originally? Where are you located? What are you working on?)
Asher: I’m a passionate, energetic, and entrepreneurial-minded young professional living in Dallas, Texas and working as a 3D-printing engineer and project manager for a small medical device company that designs, manufactures, and sells 3D-printed spine implants. I originally grew up in central New Jersey and went to college at Drexel University in Philadelphia where I got my Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering. During that time, I worked in numerous internships at the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Lab and medical device companies that used 3D-printing for prototyping and product development. Currently, I am working on numerous projects (in both engineering and management capabilities) for 3D-printed titanium spine implants that can be used to treat degenerative disc disease and scoliosis.  
Jenny: What made you decide to become a 3DHEALS community manager?
Asher: During my five years at Drexel, I took advantage of every entrepreneurial opportunity through the university’s startup incubator. After graduating and moving to Dallas, I struggled to find a community that I felt connected to and provided an opportunity to help out, empower others, and learn. I have always wished that Dallas/Fort Worth had a “tech hub” like the Bay Area, and I realized that if I wanted the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex to be a hub for 3D-printing and medical devices, I would have to lead the charge to create that hub.
Jenny: If you have already organized a 3DHEALS event, what were your experiences like? (Photos?) Anything unexpected happened?
Asher: I have not organized or attended a 3DHEALS event
I have organized a 100-person event during my junior year of college with my student organization, Dragons for Israel, where I was President. I coordinated with the University’s President, who spoke at the event, and numerous faculty members and student organizations. To learn more, check out:

https://www.drexelhillel.org/bridging-gap-drexels-presence-israel-special-event-featuring-president-john-fry
Jenny: What do you think of innovations in healthcare 3D printing or bioprinting? What do you hope to see in the next five years? 10 years?
Asher: Patient-specific implants: Orthopedic implants can be designed to match patient-specific anatomy which can improve clinical outcomes.
Metal nanoparticle jetting  –There are many limitations of powder bed fusion (SLM + EBM) and new metal-filament AM techniques (w/ Desktop Metal and Markforged) are unable to manufacture millimeter-sized features accurately. I think metal nanoparticle jetting could be the future to create micron-sized metal products with additive manufacturing.
Generative design software- Generative design software packages provide unparalleled design possibilities to product development engineers, which allow for increased usage of 3D-printing in healthcare related applications. One example of this application is the 3D-printed spine implant “Modulus” by NuVasive.
Bioprinting-3D-printing organs and tissue could be one of the most significant innovations in humankind, rivaled only with artificial intelligence.
Jenny: If you have done 3D printing before, what have you made/designed? (Photos if available, preferably in healthcare application)
Asher:
3D-printed wind turbines – I attended a 5-year BS/MS program at Drexel for Mechanical Engineering, and in my senior year, I founded a startup, WindiGo Turbines, that used 3D-printed turbine blades. This startup won 4th place in Inc. Magazine’s Hottest Startups of 2016.
3D-printed spine implants – I currently work as an Additive Manufacturing Engineer where I have led the FDA approval process for five 3D-printed spine implants.

3D-Printed Titanium Spine Implants

 
Jenny: Most of our community managers are entrepreneurial and adventurous, what risks/adventures have you taken that you’d like to share with us? Any hopes or regrets?
 
 
Asher:
Starting my own startup (and failing fantastically!) – This startup won 4th place in Inc. Magazine’s Hottest Startups of 2016 but failed less than 12 months later. At the time, it was both my

3D-Printed Lumbar Interbody

greatest achievement and my greatest failure in life and I learned more about people in that 12-month span than the previous 22 years of my life combined.

• Moving to Dallas after an 8-hour interview with my current team – I grew up in New Jersey, attended college in Philadelphia, and have visited every major city along the east coast. I was flown out to Dallas on a last-minute interview with Osseus, my current employer, and within 8-hours of meeting my team, I knew immediately that I would uproot my entire life and move to Dallas, where I knew no one and had never been before.

Jenny: Who would you like to find and to include in the 3DHEALS community you are building?
Asher: 
Additive manufacturing professionals: Engineers, Technicians, Sales professionals, Material scientists, Business executives, Marketing professionals
Healthcare professionals: Physicians, Surgeons, Doctors, PA’s, Nurses, Techs, Med Students
Educators: Trainers, Teachers, Professors
Students: Middle school, High school, and Undergrad
Jenny: What would you like to accomplish with this new 3DHEALS community in the future?
Asher: Host 1 event within 12 months of launching Dallas/Fort Worth community, introduce 100 people to 3DHEALS through the Dallas-based event, and empower 50 students to get involved with 3D-printing
Jenny: What do you think about the innovation environment (for health tech or for general technology) in your city? What can be done to improve it?
Asher: Coming from Philadelphia, I was a little disappointed with the health tech scene at Dallas. There are always entrepreneurial events throughout the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex, but the health tech scene is limited.
I believe one of the first steps of unifying the health tech scene is to approach each and every health tech company and organization for health tech through social media and personalized email campaigns. I think the reason that there is a limited health tech scene in Dallas is that of how geographically spread out the community is across 5-10 different cities/towns in the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex. By contacting interested parties directly, I hope to employ a personal touch to create curiosity and interest in new members.
Jenny: What are you most proud of about your city?
Asher: Food and it’s fun!
Jenny: What are you most proud of about the innovation community in your city?
Asher: I always find something new that surprises me about the tech companies in Dallas/Fort Worth
Jenny: What do you think are the top priorities in healthcare 3D printing innovations for your city/community?
Asher: 
Enterprise: Contact HR departments at 3D-printing companies in Dallas, and contact 3D-printing engineers in Dallas via LinkedIn  
Non-profits: Contact training and education organizations that focus on manufacturing (ASME, SME, SWE)
Education: Contact middle schools, high schools, and colleges and contact teachers, educators, professors
Jenny: What do you hope to accomplish through your role as the 3DHEALS community manager?
Asher: Help, teach, empower community members
Jenny: What do you do for fun?
Asher: Chess and Reading

The post Interview: Mr. Asher Breverman, Dallas, TX appeared first on 3DHeals.