Chaw Sing Ho is the co-founding Managing Director of NAMIC (National Additive Manufacturing Innovation Cluster), a Singapore government initiative to catalyze innovation and scale industrial adoption of additive manufacturing technologies. By focusing on industrial applications and translational R&D, together with commercial strategies to co-create innovative products and services, the national initiative aims to position Singapore as one of the leading digital manufacturing hubs in the era of digitalization and smart factories. Since its inception two years ago, NAMIC has raised more than $24 million in public-private funding to support various AM initiatives across industry verticals.
Prior to NAMIC, he oversaw IP Innovation Strategic Partnerships at HP Singapore. Before that, he was the global head of manufacturing supply chain operations and product innovation for the consumer inkjet supplies business in HP. Chaw Sing started his career in the semiconductor industry with Chartered Semiconductor and Globalfoundries, where he undertook various leadership and customer-facing roles in technology development and engineering operations.

Chaw Sing holds a doctorate in Electrical and Computer Engineering and a Bachelor’s (honors) degree in Electrical Engineering majoring in Microelectronics from the National University of Singapore (NUS). He is an avid inventor with several US/international patents. An advocate for 3D Printing and its role in the new economy, he has spoken in various forums and workshops. He mentors a number of start-ups in the digital and healthcare space. He sits on a number of advisory and expert committees and is an appointed mentor under the GE Digital ASEAN Startup and Partner Program. He is personally interested in nurturing deep tech start-ups, as well as advancing STEM education and engineering as a profession. In his free time, he enjoys sports, movies, reading, and spending time with his family.  Dr. Chaw Sing Ho will be a speaker at 3DHEALS2020. 

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

Chaw Sing: My first serious encounter with 3D Printing was in 2011. I was responsible for business operations in HP back then. We had a skunk work unit in which engineers would spend some of their time trying new ideas that could be turned into new businesses. 3D printing was one of them.

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

Chaw Sing: I was offered the opportunity to start NAMIC in 2015. This is a Singapore government initiative to drive the national 3D printing industrialization strategy and implementation. We focus on technology translation and commercialization for industrial applications. We leverage on our publicly funded research institutions in this space and other adjacent technologies, such as robotics, VR/AR, to accelerate value capture in our industries. We have an industry vertical approach to map sector pain-points and develop customized blueprints to accelerate 3D printing adoption for each industry. The enablers for any technology towards mass adoption is that it must be accessible, cost-effective and practical. 3D printing has come a long way since its rapid prototyping days, and I believe the technology is now at the stage where it can benefit the world in a big way, especially for the medical community and improve patient outcomes.

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

Chaw Sing: There are many examples. Doctors from India and China, who have successfully used 3D printed parts for patient-specific implants, surgical tools, and pre-surgical models for better patient outcomes. Regenerative medicine with 3D printed tissue and organs is the holy grail. In the US, Anthony Atala from Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine, with the first printed ear and kidney. Dr. Jonathan Morris from Mayo Clinic is another. The ability of the Mayo Clinic doctors to have 3D printed models for pre-surgical preparation has helped lower surgery complications, reduce patient costs, and improve patient outcomes.

Jenny: What motivates you the most for your work?

Chaw Sing: Besides my family, the knowledge that I make a difference to people and the industries I am supporting.

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

Chaw Sing: Unnecessary bureaucracy. Polarizing opinions are driven by people with different agendas. Changing the mindset of people and businesses. These are not showstoppers but pose challenges nonetheless. My approach is to focus on the business value proposition and end objective. Focus on the customers. Engage pro-actively. Gain buy-in. Never give up. The process is always a means to an end.

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

Chaw Sing: For personalized implants i.e. in orthopedics, the technology is ready. However, it is still early days for 3D printed tissue/organs. More needs to be done before it becomes mainstream in regenerative medicine. The routes to conformance will always be a hurdle, but this is a needed process between the medical community, businesses, as well as regulations to safeguard public safety. Being able to progress quickly where obviously there are no better solutions is desirable from a patient outcome perspective. More collaboration among the research and medical communities, establishing standards, will be key to more mainstream adoption in the medical industry.

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

Chaw Sing: No wars – not in any part of the world. Less inequality in the world. More affordable healthcare, especially for the underprivileged. Medical cost is increasing everywhere. There is too much poverty in the world. We need to start thinking of ourselves as humanity first, and not the notion of nationalities and borders and religion.

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

Chaw Sing: Make a difference and impact. Don’t make a living.

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?

Chaw Sing: “3DHeals will help improve your lives”

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

Chaw Sing: My current job. I live and breathe 3D printing every day. More importantly, I get to be involved in forums like 3DHEALS, where I meet like-minded people with a passion for this technology.

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

Chaw Sing: None so far. This is a growing industry. I think 3D printing technology has the potential to transform every sector and our lives.

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

Chaw Sing: Asking for new roles when things are going well. I have always adopted the principle that never gets too comfortable in your job. Once you do, find new roles. You must be comfortable being uncomfortable. Joining the public sector after having spent so many years in the private sector was a big change for me. I see it as a needed phase to relearn and reboot. I am enjoying it so far.

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

Chaw Sing: I enjoy spending time with my family. I have three young boys. They are at an age where they still need me. Their activities keep me busy, especially on the weekends. Whatever time I have left, I enjoy running, reading, music, and the movies.

Jenny: What is your favorite quote? Why?

Chaw Sing: I have quite a few, but Stephen Hawking’s musings, come closest to what I think about a lot since I was a kid.
“Remember to look up at the stars and not down at your feet. Try to make sense of what you see and wonder about what makes the universe exist. Be curious… And however difficult life may seem, there is always something you can do and succeed at. It matters that you don’t just give up… We are just an advanced breed of monkeys on a minor planet of a very average star. But we can understand the universe. That makes us something very special.”
It is a reminder to make the best of what we have, and think deeply about how we can impact our community and perhaps humanity in our own positive ways. Not everyone can be Elon Musk or Bill Gates, who have managed to achieve so much within their lifetimes, to advance humanity by creating impactful legacies with their businesses. We can all make a difference.

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

Chaw Sing: I have the firm belief that 3D printing/bioprinting will enable new paradigms in healthcare solutions that will benefit the medical and patient communities. I think the word “3DHEALS” sums that up.

The post Interview: Dr. Chaw Sing Ho, Co-Founding Managing Director of NAMIC (National Additive Manufacturing Innovation Cluster) 🗺 appeared first on 3DHeals.

“What inspired me was a story published in 2012 about Emma’s experience with a 3D printed WREX Exoskeleton (to Emma, the WREX Exoskeleton was her “Magic Arms”) that changed her entire life. Words cannot describe the impact it made deep within me so below is a link of the story in youtube.com [Watch: here]”

 
Sean Looi is the General Manager of Creatz3D Pte Ltd, the authorized distributor of Stratasys™ 3D printing systems and materials in Singapore, Vietnam, and Indonesia. Creatz3D’s additive manufacturing solutions also include Arcam™ for production of metal components as well as Materialise™ Rapid Prototyping Softwares.
Despite majoring in MSc Finance, Sean’s passion for 3D printing opened the door of opportunity of distributing 3D printing technologies in 2007. His knowledge in various manufacturing practices placed him in a favorable position to advice on advanced solutions for direct digital manufacturing.
Sean’s accumulated technical experience with a variety of different 3D printing machines, technologies, and applications, across all industry sectors, helped him to gain foresight into the macroeconomy of additive manufacturing potential.
In return, Sean has been actively helping companies various sectors think more critically, innovate better to improve workflow and is highly respected in the local Additive Manufacturing committee. With over 6 years of experience in the industry, Sean is a regularly invited keynote speaker in various local institutions and events.

Sean Looi will be a speaker at the Singapore 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: The first encounter was back in 2011 with the Polyjet Technology by then Objet (now Stratasys). I was amazed by the quality of the printed part and how the technology can be applied across a wide range of industries. And from there, I believe that the technology is here to stay and transform the way that manufacturing is done.
Jenny: What inspired you to start your journey in 3D printing (bio-fabrication/bio-printing)?
Sean: Our company, Creatz3D, started in bio-printing in 2013 where we started distributing regenHU’s range of bio-printer. But prior to that, we’ve worked with other research institutions on 3D printing in the area of models for surgical planning. We’ve also started a medical division producing models for education purposes as well as surgical planning since 1 Jan 2017.
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.
Sean: What inspired me was a story published in 2012 about Emma’s experience with a 3D printed WREX Exoskeleton (to Emma, the WREX Exoskeleton was her “Magic Arms”) that changed her entire life. Words cannot describe the impact it made deep within me so below is a link of the story in youtube.com [Watch: here]
Jenny: What motivates you the most for your work?
Sean: Within the medical field, the sense that 3D printing can help contribute and improve the outcome of medical procedure thus positively impact the patient.
Jenny: What is/are the biggest obstacle(s) in your line of work? If you have conquered them, what were your solutions?
Sean: Resistance to change. In both industrial and medical communities, change is difficult for all individuals. But through the years, 3D printing has been gradually accepted in the medical community albeit at a slower pace in comparison to other developed countries.
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: Specifically, to bio-printing, the potential is huge when we are discussing printing out patient-specific organs etc… But this is also the challenge. Why? Everyone is focused on the future and neglecting the short-term impact that 3D printing can make right now. Such as:

• 3D Printed education models can aid medical education institution and hospitals in providing better simulation and education of not only actual patient scenarios but also rare and complex conditions.
• The benefits that have been seen both for the patient as well as the surgeons that patient-specific models and implants can help in improving surgical outcomes.
• The potential relief of the tremendous strain that is present in the medical community, both on a manpower level and on an economic level. Where with the integration of 3D Printing in both the educational and hospital level, junior doctors can be trained in a quickening pace through better increased surgical practice with 3D Printed simulation model. Where experienced doctors can have a better alignment as well as pre-surgical planning before the operation, allowing for minimally invasive procedures to be discovered, reducing surgical time and reducing post-op visits for the patients.

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

1. The full integration of 3D Printing technologies into the medical community, this can be in the area of Medical Simulation Models (2) Pre-Surgical Models (3) Patient-specific surgical guides (4) Patient-Specific Implants. Ideally, a 1-click process from CT/MRI to 3D printed parts.
2. The realization of the full potential of bio-printing, where we will be able to print “spare” organs of every individual through the harvesting of their stem cells to reduce rejections.
3. A medical hub that would be able to consolidate all 3D Printing technologies into a consolidated point to serve the medical community in Singapore and southeast Asia.

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 think a good advice would be to never give up on something that you believe, every up and coming product/ technology/ idea are bound to meet resistance in every aspect. The most important thing is that for yourself to never give up on what you believe this technology will help in.
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: In order for us to get a different result, you have to do something different.
Jenny: What were/was the best/worst investment you made in 3D printing/bio-printing/bio-fabrication?
Sean: Getting my hands dirty into 3D Printing. This includes time & money etc… you cannot learn about the technology and its usage from afar.
Jenny: What was/is the biggest risk you took in your career?
Sean: The biggest risk was switching to a career from finance to industrial equipment. It was a totally different job scope and industry but a fulfilling one as it lead me to 3D printing.
Jenny: What do you enjoy in your spare time? What are you passionate about outside of your work/3d printing?
Sean: Spending quality time with my family.
Jenny: What is your favorite quote? Why?
Sean: It is always a chicken and an egg situation, wherein most of the cases of implementation, two parties are always looking at each other to start the ball rolling. However, whom to take the first step forward would be the main pushing factor in driving new industry standards or initiatives.
Jenny: What does the word “3DHEALS” mean to you?  =)
Sean: 3D Printing technologies that are utilized and adopt by trained medical professionals to be used in healing patients and improving their quality of life.

The post Interview: Sean Looi, General Manager of Creatz3D Pte Ltd appeared first on 3DHeals.

“ Although bioprinting has attracted enough attention from researchers and industries, finding ink with suitable physiochemical composition and properties is a hindrance. The absence of structural integrity within the bio-printed sample is another common problem that I encounter.“

Shweta Agarwala is a researcher with Singapore Centre for 3D printing at Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. She holds a Ph.D. in Electronics Engineering from National University of Singapore, Singapore. Her research is aimed at developing materials and devices for bioelectronic in healthcare applications, and printed electronics for wearables, sensors and smart packaging. The roadmap employs 3D printing route of an aerosol jet, inkjet, and bio-printing to fabricate nano-electronic and bioelectronic devices. Her research is multidisciplinary in nature and provides a useful link between electronics, material science, manufacturing, and biotechnology, thus trying to solve real-life problems.

Dr. Shweta Agarwala will be speaking at our Singapore event!

Jenny: When was the first encounter you had with 3D printing? What was that experience like? What were you thinking at that moment?
Shweta: My rendezvous with 3D printing is quite new. Although I had heard about the technology, I witnessed the real action when I first joined Singapore center for 3D Printing in 2015. Building a prototype of your choice in a few hours amazed me. But what really caught my attention was how bioprinting was enabling live tissue structures. Even as a novice, I could envision the potential of this technology especially in healthcare.
Jenny: What inspired you to start your journey/company/career/research in 3D printing (bio-fabrication/bio-printing)?
Shweta: Awed by 3D bioprinting, I wanted to dig my hands to develop meaningful solutions. Being an electronics engineer by training it took me a while to understand the field. My creative juices started to flow when I realized how I can combine the power of electronics and bioprinting for applications like bioelectronics. My efforts may be a drop in the ocean, but the fact that they may help in furthering the healthcare and biomedical sector is a driving force for me.  
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.
Shweta: There are so many people to thank to during my journey in 3D printing. I would especially like to mention Prof. Yeong Wai Yee, who introduced me to the world of 3D printing and has been a patient guide. Her enthusiasm to create viable solutions to real problems is infectious.
Jenny: What motivates you the most for your work?
Shweta: Honestly, there is so much motivation all around. I constantly interact with researchers, academicians, entrepreneurs and industry experts who are passionate about 3D printing and doing their bit to carve a niche. Each meeting leaves me exhilarated and motivated.
Jenny: What is/are the biggest obstacle(s) in your line of work? If you have conquered them, what were your solutions?
Shweta: Although bioprinting has attracted enough attention from researchers and industries, finding ink with suitable physiochemical composition and properties is a hindrance. The absence of structural integrity within the bio-printed sample is another common problem that I encounter.
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)?
Shweta: Availability of limited materials and lack of standardization are the main concerns plaguing the adoption of 3D printing. More efforts should be poured in to develop a wide range of materials with specific functionalities and steps taken to formulate consistent and harmonized industry-wide standards. I also believe that cross subject and multidisciplinary approach should be applied to combine biology with other fields to enable advancement.
Jenny: If you are granted three wishes by a higher being, what would they be?  
Shweta:

• • More innovation in healthcare like organ printing and cure for diseases like cancer, AIDS, Alzheimer

• • No war and peace in the world

• Ways to restore earth back to its natural healthy state

Jenny: What advice would you give to a smart driven college student in the “real world”? What bad advice you heard should they ignore?
Shweta: Never stop learning and stay hungry. Find what drives you, seek passion and then innovation.
Most people will tell you don’t be an underdog. My advice: Its ok to start as an underdog, just don’t be one for too long.
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?
Shweta: Let’s print the world good health. Yes, it’s possible!
Jenny: What were/was the best/worst investment you made in 3D printing/bio-printing/bio-fabrication?
Shweta: I feel that material innovation provides the necessary backbone to further any field. Investing time and energy in building a new library of materials compatible with bioprinters and healthcare needs is essential.
Jenny: What was/is the biggest risk you took in your career?
Shweta: I am an electronics engineer by training and nanotechnology/ nanoelectronics has been my area of research. When the opportunity came to step into the world of 3D printing, I was very apprehensive. It was a huge jump from the nano-world to building mm/cm size objects. I was not aware of the potential of 3D printing at that time. But I am glad that I took the step.
Jenny: What do you enjoy in your spare time? What are you passionate about outside of your work/3d printing?
Shweta: I am an avid reader and love to lose myself in a book. If not engrossed in a book you will find me swaying to the music and spending time with family and friends.
Jenny: What is your favorite quote? Why?
Shweta: Although a cliché  “Where there is a will, there is always a way” is a power statement for me. I first heard the saying from my grandfather, who was a retired English language teacher. Time and again he kept reminding me that no matter how big a problem, a strong determination can help surmount all. The saying has stayed with me since helping me go past my blinding fears.  
Jenny: What does the word “3DHEALS” mean to you?  =)
Shweta: 3DHEALS to me signifies the power of 3D printing to improve healthcare and to heal.

The post Interview: Dr. Shweta Agarwala, Bioprinting appeared first on 3DHeals.

About this Event:
3DHEALS community events focus on creating educational content and networking events with highly selected speakers and audiences all over the world. This will be the first such event in Singapore. The event is limited to 50 attendees. 
 
Location: 
National University Singapore
Seminar room, Innovation 4.0 Building
3 Research Link 
Singapore,117603

[pdf-embedder url=”https://3dheals.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Getting-to-Innovation-4.0.pdf”]
Time:
Wed, September 5, 2018
6:30 PM – 9:30 PM Singapore Standard Time Singapore Time

Agenda: 

6:30-7:00 PM Networking & Light reception
7:00-7:10 PM Opening Intro by Dr. Jenny Chen and Mahendran Reddy (3DHEALS Singapore Community manager, NAMIC)
7:10 – 7:20 PM Sean Looi is the General Manager of Creatz3D Pte Ltd
7:20-7:25 PM Q&A
7:25-7:35 PM Dr. Chaw Sing Ho, co-founding Managing Director of NAMIC (National Additive Manufacturing Innovation Cluster)
7:35-7:40 PM Q&A
7:40-7:50 PM Dr. Ching Kit Chen, Pediatric Cardiologist, KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital
7:50 -7:55 PM Q&A
7:55-8:05 PM Dr. Shweta Agarwala 
(Singapore Centre for 3D Printing@ Nayang TechnologicalUniversity)
8:05-8:10 PM Q&A
8:10 -8:40 PM Panel Discussion
8:40-9:30 Networking
About Speakers:
Jenny Chen, MD – 3DHEALS

Jenny is trained as a neuroradiologist, founder/CEO of 3DHEALS, a company focusing on curating healthcare 3D printing ecosystem. Her main interests include medical education,  3D printing in the healthcare sector, and artificial intelligence. She is also a current adjunct clinical faculty in the radiology department at Stanford Healthcare.
Mahendran Reddy – 3DHEALS Community Manager, NAMIC

Mahendran Reddy is a highly driven professional with 20 years of international professional experience in the creative industries in both the private and public sectors.
As a trained architect and a media personality, he has held key strategic appointments in driving innovation and initiatives in the civil service, notably the establishment of the National Design Centre in Singapore.
At UCT, he has driven the adoption of Additive Manufacturing in its fledgling form in South East Asia mainly in the consumer segment of the business.
At NAMIC, he is actively involved in the adoption of Additive Manufacturing in the Industries by initiating collaborative research projects with Industry and Institutes of Higher Learning.
He brings with him an in-depth knowledge in management, government processes and procurement, design thinking skills and excellent interpersonal and professional competencies.
Dr. Chaw Sing Ho

Dr. Chaw Sing Ho is the co-founding Managing Director of NAMIC (National Additive Manufacturing Innovation Cluster), a Singapore government initiative to catalyze innovation and scale industrial adoption of additive manufacturing technologies. By focusing on industrial applications and translational R&D, together with commercial strategies to co-create innovative products and services, the national initiative aims to position Singapore as one of the leading digital manufacturing hubs in the era of digitalization and smart factories. Since its inception two years ago, NAMIC has raised more than $24 million in public-private funding to support various AM initiatives across industry verticals.
Prior to NAMIC, he oversaw IP Innovation Strategic Partnerships at HP Singapore. Before that, he was the global head of manufacturing supply chain operations and product innovation for the consumer inkjet supplies business in HP. Chaw Sing started his career in the semiconductor industry with Chartered Semiconductor and Globalfoundries, where he undertook various leadership and customer-facing roles in technology development and engineering operations.
Chaw Sing holds a doctorate in Electrical and Computer Engineering and a Bachelor’s (honors) degree in Electrical Engineering majoring in Microelectronics from the National University of Singapore (NUS). He is an avid inventor with several US/international patents. An advocate for 3D Printing and its role in the new economy, he has spoken in various forums and workshops. He mentors a number of start-ups in the digital and healthcare space. He sits on a number of advisory and expert committees and is an appointed mentor under the GE Digital ASEAN Startup and Partner Program. He is personally interested in nurturing deep tech start-ups, as well as advancing STEM education and engineering as a profession. In his free time, he enjoys sports, movies, reading and spending time with his family.
Dr. Chen Ching Kit

Dr. Ching Kit Chen completed his undergraduate medical studies at the National University of Singapore and post-graduate training in Paediatrics and Paediatric Cardiology in Singapore. He subsequently did a fellowship in pediatric heart failure, mechanical circulatory support and heart transplantation at the Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada.  During his 2-year fellowship, he participated in a range of research projects resulting in numerous abstracts and publications. Upon returning to Singapore, he has started a pediatric advanced heart failure program (including mechanical circulatory support for children) in KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital and has successfully established a pediatric heart transplant and mechanical cardiac support program in Singapore.  His clinical areas of interest cover dilated cardiomyopathy, exercise echocardiography in cardiomyopathy and congenital heart disease, and fetal cardiovascular flow dynamics, while research areas of expertise and experience include 3D printing of heart models, exercise echocardiography, and fetal cardiology.
Sean Looi

Sean Looi is the General Manager of Creatz3D Pte Ltd, the authorized distributor of Stratasys™ 3D printing systems and materials in Singapore, Vietnam, and Indonesia. Creatz3D’s additive manufacturing solutions also include Arcam™ for production of metal components as well as Materialise™ Rapid Prototyping Softwares. 
Despite majoring in MSc Finance, Sean’s passion for 3D printing opened the door of opportunity of distributing 3D printing technologies in 2007. His knowledge in various manufacturing practices placed him in a favorable position to advice on advanced solutions for direct digital manufacturing.
Sean’s accumulated technical experience with a variety of different 3D printing machines, technologies, and applications, across all industry sectors, helped him to gain foresight into the macroeconomy of additive manufacturing potential.
In return, Sean has been actively helping companies various sectors think more critically, innovate better to improve workflow and is highly respected in the local Additive Manufacturing committee. With over 6 years of experience in the industry, Sean is a regularly invited keynote speaker in various local institutions and events.

Shweta Agarwala is a researcher with Singapore Centre for 3D printing at Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. She holds Ph.D. in Electronics Engineering from National University of Singapore, Singapore. Her research is aimed at developing materials and devices for bioelectronic in healthcare applications, and printed electronics for wearables, sensors and smart packaging. The roadmap employs 3D printing route of an aerosol jet, inkjet, and bio-printing to fabricate nano-electronic and bioelectronic devices. Her research is multidisciplinary in nature and provides a useful link between electronics, material science, manufacturing, and biotechnology, thus trying to solve real-life problems.

Registration

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The post 3DHEALS Singapore: Healthcare 3D Printing and Beyond 🗓 🗺 appeared first on 3DHeals.

(What is your favorite quote? Why?)

“The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates.  The great teacher inspires.” William Arthur Ward

As a doctor, we are all called to be teachers and mentors.  This serves as my beacon, in that I am here not just to impart knowledge and skills, but to model the professional behavior/approach of a physician.”

 

Ching Kit completed his undergraduate medical studies at the National University of Singapore and post-graduate training in Paediatrics and Pediatric Cardiology in Singapore. He subsequently did a fellowship in pediatric heart failure, mechanical circulatory support and heart transplantation at the Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada.  During his 2-year fellowship, he participated in a range of research projects resulting in numerous abstracts and publications. Upon returning to Singapore, he has started a pediatric advanced heart failure program (including mechanical circulatory support for children) in KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital and has successfully established a pediatric heart transplant and mechanical cardiac support programme in Singapore. His clinical areas of interest cover dilated cardiomyopathy, exercise echocardiography in cardiomyopathy and congenital heart disease, and fetal cardiovascular flow dynamics, while research areas of expertise and experience include 3D printing of heart models, exercise echocardiography, and fetal cardiology.

Dr. Chen Ching Kit will be our speaker at our first Singapore Event

Jenny: When was the first encounter you had with 3D printing? What was that experience like? What were you thinking at that moment?
Chen: This was back in 2012 when I was in Toronto, Canada.  I was shown a 3D printed heart model of double outlet right ventricle by a colleague at the Hospital for Sick Children. He showed me how it made a difference to the surgical planning of the patient.

Dr. Chen with a 3D-printed model of a heart. Congenital heart surgery is more challenging when it involves children as they are smaller in size. This is where having a heart printed in 3D form can be very useful. ST PHOTO: MARK CHEONG

I had not seen a 3D printed heart model prior to that, and I thought that it was really a neat thing to do. To my mind, the ability to present the complex anatomy with a 3D printed model would be a game-changer.
Jenny: What inspired you to start your journey in 3D printing ?
Chen: Back in 2014 when I was back in Singapore, we had a patient whom the attending cardiologists could not agree upon with respect to the morphologic diagnosis, and obviously the cardiac surgeons were confused.  There was a lot of debate during the discussion, and I thought that it would be useful to print the heart out and verify the anatomic diagnosis. And we did just that, and it proved very useful especially to the surgeons. Since then, I would offer to help print a heart model if the anatomy is complex, and if the surgeons are uncertain of the best surgical approach.  
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.
Chen: Dr. Shi-Joon Yoo from the Hospital for Sick Children.  He provided me with some advice and guidance when I started out on this journey.
Jenny: What motivates you the most for your work?
Chen: The satisfaction in making a difference in the lives of my patients, as well as innovating the way we provide care to our patients.
Jenny: What is/are the biggest obstacle(s) in your line of work? If you have conquered them, what were your solutions?
Chen: Time constraint. There is much to be done, but there isn’t always enough time. Still learning to juggle.
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)?
Chen: In my opinion, the high cost involved in 3D printing is the greatest limitation. However, I believe that the cost will gradually improve in time with greater adoption of this technology.
Jenny: What advice would you give to a smart driven college student in the “real world”? What bad advice you heard should they ignore?
Chen: I would advise him to pursue his passion unreservedly, and to identify a good mentor who would be willing to walk the journey with him during his career.  
I don’t think that there is necessarily bad advice…. Just what would work and what wouldn’t and these vary from individual to individual.
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?
Chen: At least from the perspective of a pediatric cardiologist, I would like the message to be something like… “3D printing… the next stage in the evolution of cardiovascular imaging.”
Jenny: What was/is the biggest risk you took in your career?
Chen: Changing career from a full-time clinician to a clinician-scientist.
Jenny: What do you enjoy in your spare time? What are you passionate about outside of your work/3d printing?
Chen: The only thing I do outside of work is Krav Maga.  And, I very much enjoy scuba diving! I do 1-2 dive trips each year.
Jenny: What does the word “3DHEALS” mean to you?  =)
Chen: Healing/impact patient care through 3D innovations.
 

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Community: Singapore 

3DHEALS members can get in touch with: Mahendran V Reddy here

Jenny: What is one quote that represents you?
Mahendran: Fun loving, well humored and a people-centric person
Jenny: Tell us a little about yourself. (Where are you from originally? Where are you located? What are you working on?)
Mahendran: From Singapore and a true blue Singaporean, living in a wonderful cosmopolitan city and work for a government programme office, NAMIC, National Additive Manufacturing Innovation Cluster
Jenny: What made you decide to become a 3DHEALS community manager?
Mahendran: The opportunity to make global connections through 3DHEALS  with the existing ecosystem in Singapore.
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?
Mahendran: I would like to see more awareness in research in bioprinting that would result in real life adoption – bringing the cost of producing new innovation down.
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?
Mahendran: I have not been in an entrepreneurial situation, esp. in 3D printing yet. This could be a possibility in the future.
Jenny: Who would you like to find and to include in the 3DHEALS community you are building?
Mahendran: More clinicians and practitioners as well as startups in the biomedical space.
Jenny: What would you like to accomplish with this new 3DHEALS community in the future?
Mahendran: A thriving, self-sustaining community that shares knowledge and leans towards common goals in advancing Bioprinting and 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?
Mahendran: This space is growing rapidly with strong governmental support for research and development at the Universities and the research institutes.
Jenny: What are you most proud of about your city?
Mahendran: A multicultural, cosmopolitan city of the 21st century that is forward thinking.
Jenny: What are you most proud of about the innovation community in your city?
Mahendran: They are willing to try and keep innovating despite failures.
Jenny: What do you think are the top priorities in healthcare innovations for your city/community?
Mahendran: To get the clinicians in the leading hospitals on board the community.
Jenny: What do you hope to accomplish through your role as the 3DHEALS community manager?
Mahendran: To grow a substantial user group not only in Singapore but also in South East Asia with Singapore as the Hub lead.
Jenny: What do you do for fun?  
Mahendran: I do acrylic painting on canvas with my daughters a lot as well as editing holiday videos into fun watchable mini-movies for the family. I also do middle distance running to maintain the fitness.
Jenny: Anything else?
Mahendran: I cook healthy meals for family and friends on the weekends.

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