Dr. Rachel Umoren Awarded Grant by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation

WISH Clinical Director for Pediatrics and Neonatology, Dr. Rachel Umoren was awarded a grant by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to support the maintenance of healthcare provider knowledge and skills in neonatal resuscitation. The project will develop and test an integrated mobile virtual reality training module and data collection tool to track key newborn care indicators in low and middle-income countries.

WISH, CREST, & UW Bioengineering Host Intriguing Lecture - 3D Printing Functional Materials & Devices

The development of methods for interfacing high performance functional devices with biology could impact regenerative medicine, smart prosthetics, and human-machine interfaces. The ability to three-dimensionally interweave biological and functional materials could enable the creation of devices possessing unique geometries, properties, and functionalities. 3D printing is a multi-scale platform, allowing for the incorporation of functional nanoscale inks, the printing of microscale features, and ultimately the creation of macroscale devices. This three-dimensional blending of functional materials and ‘living’ platforms may enable next-generation 3D printed devices.

Michael C. McAlpine is the Benjamin Mayhugh Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Minnesota. He received a B.S. in Chemistry with honors from Brown University, a Ph.D. in Chemistry from Harvard University, and was Assistant Professor of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at Princeton University (2008-2015). His research is focused on 3D printing functional materials & devices, including the three-dimensional interweaving of biological and electronic materials.

Fake it ‘til you make it

Surrounded by silicone livers, a 3D-printed rib cage, and a prosthetic arm covered in third-degree burns lies Frank, a prototype of the world’s most advanced manikin for medical simulations. Fresh off a nationwide tour to train combat medics how to respond to roadside bombs, his right leg is a mangled mess of blood, bone, and silicone, but he’s still serving an important purpose.