News

SPE MPD Honors Len Czuba with Glenn Beall Founders Award

Posted on by Theresa Shafer

By Ned LeMaster

Award for Len Czuba

The Society of Plastics Engineers’ Medical Plastics Division (SPE MPD) recently recognized Len Czuba with its prestigious Glenn Beall Founders Award, honoring a career defined by technical excellence, industry leadership, and unwavering service to the medical device community.

This award, named in honor of Glenn Beall, celebrates individuals whose contributions have helped shape and strengthen SPE MPD and the broader medical plastics field. Len’s selection reflects decades of impact as an engineer, educator, innovator, and mentor.

For more than four decades, Len Czuba has been a leading voice in medical device materials and manufacturing. As President of Czuba Enterprises, he has guided hundreds of companies from early concept through commercialization, helping teams navigate material selection, processing challenges, regulatory requirements, and risk management.

His work spans:

  • Medical-grade polymers and biomaterials
  • Injection molding and extrusion optimization
  • Design-for-manufacturing in regulated environments
  • Failure analysis and expert witness services
  • Patent development and intellectual property strategy

Through this work, Len has helped transform promising ideas into safe, reliable, and scalable medical products.

Leadership Within SPE MPD

Beyond his technical achievements, Len’s long-standing commitment to SPE has been central to his legacy.

Over the years, he has served in multiple leadership roles, including Medical Plastics Division Chair and SPE International President. He has also been a consistent presence at conferences, workshops, and training programs—sharing practical insights grounded in real-world experience.

His contributions include:

  • Organizing and supporting educational programs
  • Mentoring early-career engineers
  • Promoting ethical and professional standards
  • Strengthening collaboration across industry, academia, and consulting

For many members, Len has been both a trusted resource and a steady advocate for excellence.

Advancing Education and Knowledge

Len is widely recognized as one of the field’s most effective educators. Through seminars, articles, courses, and conference presentations, he has helped thousands of professionals deepen their understanding of medical plastics.

His teaching style combines:

  • Clear technical fundamentals
  • Real-world case studies
  • Regulatory and risk-awareness
  • Practical problem-solving frameworks

This blend has made his sessions invaluable to engineers, product managers, quality leaders, and executives alike.

Why the Glenn Beall Founders Award Matters

Glenn Beall was more than a founding member—he was a mentor, innovator, and tireless advocate for the advancement of medical plastics. This award ensures that his legacy continues to inspire excellence and service within our community. The Glenn Beall Founders Award is one of SPE MPD’s highest honors. It recognizes individuals who:

  • Demonstrate sustained leadership
  • Advance the medical plastics profession
  • Support the growth of the SPE community
  • Inspire future generations

Len’s career embodies each of these values. His influence extends far beyond individual projects—shaping how medical devices are designed, built, validated, and improved across the industry.

A Well-Deserved Recognition

Len Czuba’s career reflects what is possible when deep technical mastery is combined with generosity, integrity, and commitment to community. Whether advising startups, supporting global manufacturers, or mentoring young engineers, he has consistently raised the standard for the profession.

On behalf of the medical plastics community, SPE MPD proudly congratulates Len on receiving the Glenn Beall Founders Award.

His work continues to inspire—and his legacy will benefit our field for generations to come.

A Big Thank You to Poster Presenters – MiniTec at MD&M West Feb 2026

Posted on by Theresa Shafer

By Joanne Moody

One of the highlights of our recent event was the poster sessions. These presentations showcased the curiosity, creativity, and commitment that drive innovation in medical plastics and biomaterials. We are grateful to all of our presenters for sharing their work and engaging in thoughtful discussions with attendees

Our academic researchers brought forward impressive and impactful projects. 

  • Block CoPolymer-Directed Self-Assembly of Optically Active Nanoparticles by Jayme Chow from UC Irvine
  • Preparation of pNIPAAm-HA Hydrogels for the Use in Treatment of Corneal Ulcers by Snigdha Rayala and Judith Praba Prabhahar Albert from San Jose State University
  • Influence of Carbon Fiber Reinforcement on the Shape Memory Characteristics and Mechanical Properties of PETG by Viswanath Aditham and Yanika Schneider from San Jose State University

We were equally pleased to feature strong industry-focused research and real-world perspectives.

Thank you to all our presenters for raising the bar and inspiring the next generation of materials and medical device professionals.

Jayme Chow
Snigdha Rayala & Judith Praba Prabhahar Albert
Viswanath Aditham
Poster Cameron Sawyer & Rob Klein

IGS GeboJagema and SPE MPD Student Scholarship 2025-2026

Posted on by Theresa Shafer
SPE logo_Medical Plastics-HG

STUDENT SCHOLARSHIP AWARD

Medical Plastics Scholarship

IGS GeboJagema

IGS GeboJagema and SPE Medical Plastics Division are proud to announce the Awardees of the Student Scholarship in the topic of Molding of Medical Plastics and Polymers. The winners are:

OVERALL WINNER:

Dakota Antcliff

Plastics Engineering student at Ferris State

Molly Garber
FINALIST:

Molly Garber

Plastics Engineering student at UW Stout

Ethan Graetz
FINALIST:

Ethan Graetz

Plastics Engineering student at UW Stout

We were incredibly impressed with the quality of the student candidates – and can’t wait to see the impact they have on the world!

MiniTec February 2026 Program

Posted on by Theresa Shafer
Medical polymers innovations, challenges and opportunities

A two-day conference where presentations from the industry will discuss the latest developments in the area of medical plastics.

Online Registration: https://www.mdmwest.com/en/home.html?

FEBRUARY 2&3 – SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

PREVIEW THE SPEAKER LINEUP

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS

Download pdf

Download 2 page program (pdf)

Download full program (pdf)

Download program QR code

Thank You to Our Leadership 2025

Posted on by Theresa Shafer
SPE BOD 2023

The Medical Plastics Division exists to facilitate the exchange of technical and regulatory information on polymer materials/components used in medical devices and the healthcare industry.

Officers

Chair
Ned LeMaster, Delrin

Vice-Chair, MiniTec Committee, TPC Committee Chair

Chris Lyons, Exponent

Past Chair of the Board, Communications Committee

Louis Somlai, Eli Lilly

Secretary

Pierre Moulinie, Covestro LLC

Councilor, Treasurer

Ali Ashter, Ashter Enterprise, LLC.

Membership Chair

Kyle Kulwicki, Kimball Electronics

Newsletter Editor

Vijay Kudchadkar, Isometric Micro Molding

Student Outreach Chair, MiniTec Minneapolis Chair

Rob Klein, AtriCure

Board of Director Members

Emeritus Members

Special Advisors to the Board

Wrapping up Medical Polymers 2025 at MD&M Midwest in Minneapolis

Posted on by Theresa Shafer
MDM-MidWest-and-SPE-MPD logos

Thank you for a great Medical Polymers MiniTec

On October 21 2025, MPD hosted our conference on Medical Polymers at MD&M Midwest in Minneapolis. We had a great time meeting old and new friends across the MedTech community. Speakers and attendees joined us from across industry and academia to discuss hot topics in Medical Polymers and Medtech.

Thank you to keynote speaker Mark Wehde, invited speakers Nate Doyle, Wei Zheng, Erik Foltz, Theresa Reineke, Heather Baeten, and Mike Kratochvil

Special thanks to the conference organizers Rob Klein, Joanne Moody, and Christopher Lyons. Well done!

keynote speaker Mark Wehde with Joanne Moody


Poster Session

And also a big thank you to poster presenters Thomas Meehan, MBA, Melissa Walsh, Ahmed Wadi, Prashant Pandey, Rajat Daga, Ashutosh Nehete, Holly Tian, Alison Block, Margaret Kumler, Sandra Shahriar, Sydney Haubenstricker, Aliha Nisha, and Cynthia Ge. High quality research and presentations from Eastman, University of Minnesota, and University of Mississippi!

poster session


SPE Sponsor for MDM Midwest

Thank you to our conference sponsor PUNCH INDUSTRY CO., LTD: Cheryl Richardson and Hiroshi Noguchi.

Thank you to Informa for hosting the overall event and supporting our conference: Marissa Ray, Lauren Moore, Suzanne Deffree.

We had a great time and hope to be back again in 2026!

MiniTec Oct 2025 Program

Posted on by Theresa Shafer
Medical polymers innovations, challenges and opportunities

A one-day conference where presentations from the industry will discuss the latest developments in the area of medical plastics.

Online Registration: https://xpressreg.net/register/mdmm1025/landing.asp

October 21, 2025 – Schedule of Events: 

8AM REGISTRATION & POSTER SETUP

9AM – 5:30PM MINITEC PROGRAM

9-11:15 AM MORNING SESSIONS – ROOM 102B/C

12-1:15 PM LUNCH & SPE POSTER SESSION

1:15-2 PM KEYNOTE SESSION – ROOM 102B/C

2:15-5 PM AFTERNOON SESSIONS – ROOM 102B/C

4:15-5:30 PM SPE MPD RECEPTION, INDUSTRY NETWORKING & POSTER SESSION – ROOM 102F

  • Don’t miss the networking. Students invited to join leaders from the industry.  

PREVIEW THE SPEAKER LINEUP

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSOR

Download pdf

Download 1 page program (pdf)

Download program QR code

Student Scholarship Announcement 2025

Posted on by Theresa Shafer
SPE MPD & IGS logos

STUDENT SCHOLARSHIP ANNOUNCEMENT

Medical Plastics $4,000 Scholarship

CALL FOR APPLICATIONS: Open August 22 – October 31, 2025

IGS GeboJagema and SPE Medical Plastics Division are proud to announce a Student Scholarship in the topic of Molding of Medical Plastics and Polymers.  The $4,000 award is co-sponsored by IGS and SPE MPD and is expected to be provided to students in the 2026 calendar year.  $4,000 is to be paid in cash to the student following the Terms and Conditions section below.

Requirements for Applicants:

  • Undergraduate student enrolled in a U.S.-based university or college, in an accredited engineering or science major.
    • Examples of appropriate majors: Plastics Engineering, Plastics Technology, Mechanical Engineering with focus on Plastics and/or Plastics Mold Development, or Materials Engineering with focus on Plastics.
  • Completion of submission form on SPE MPD website, to include:
    • Your academic background, current career plans, and description of interest in medical plastics or polymers.Verification as a current member of SPE.  It is free for students to join at Membership Application | SPE (4spe.org).
    • Approval for SPE MPD to verify your enrollment at your noted university or college.
  • Pre-award interview: Commitment to attend (virtually) one 30-minute conference call between October 31 and December 31, 2025.  The purpose of this call is to interview potential candidates for the award.

Post-award interview: Commitment to attend (virtually) one 30-minute conference call between January 1 and January 30, 2026.  The purpose of this call is to provide notification of the selection, discuss the awardee’s plans, and record the meeting for publicity purposes.

Slots for additional conference calls will be available to the selected student to meet with IGS and SPE MPD representatives, based on the interest of the student, but are not required.

Deadline for submission is October 31, 2025.  Scholarship is expected to be selected by December 31, 2025.

Terms and Conditions of Cash Stipend:

  • Total value not to exceed 4,000 U.S. Dollars.
  • Award may be split into increments following successful completion of requirements and award selection noted above. After selection, the full value is expected to be disbursed on or before June 30, 2026.
  • This announcement is not a commitment to award this scholarship.  IGS GeboJagema and SPE Medical Plastics Division retain the right to withhold this funding if no suitable candidate is selected.
  • Scholarship funds may be partially or fully withheld from the awarded candidate if not all Requirements above are fulfilled.

Upon the candidate’s preference, funds from the award may be used to support travel to the MD&M West Expo & SPE MPD MiniTec conference in Anaheim, CA, in February 2026.  Any funds used for this purpose will replace an equal portion of the cash stipend.

If you are interested in submitting an application, please submit your application at:

APPLY NOW
qr code for application form

For any questions, please contact:

Robert Klein, Academic Outreach Chair, SPE MPD Board Member rklein@atricure.com

Dynamic Team at Hamline University

Posted on by Theresa Shafer

Joanne Moody, a dedicated member of the Society of Plastics Engineers (SPE), recently visited the summer research program led by the Chemistry Department at Hamline University. The visit highlighted the department’s commitment to hands-on learning, interdisciplinary collaboration, and advancing scientific knowledge through student-faculty partnerships.

During her time on campus, Moody had the opportunity to meet with a dynamic team of undergraduate students and faculty members who are actively engaged in a variety of research projects. 

Faculty leading these initiatives include:  

  • Dr. Nick Schlotter, the chemistry department chair at Hamline University with expertise in Nanotechnology, Materials Chemistry, and Physical Chemistry. 
  • Francesca Ippoliti, a professor that specializes in small molecule synthesis.
  • Urvashi Sanhir teaches chemistry at Hamline, researches PFAS degradation and plasma chemistry, mentors undergraduates, and leads outreach through HIPAL and ACS Women Chemists.
  • Professor, John Matachek, specializes in organometallic and conductive polymers. 

Moody’s visit underscored the value of fostering connections between professional organizations like SPE and academic institutions.