Congratulations and Thank You to Our 2026 Leadership
The Society of Plastics Engineers – Medical Plastics Division is a global network of professionals dedicated to advancing the use of polymers in medical devices and pharmaceutical applications.
Our mission is to provide a platform for the exchange of technical knowledge and to foster collaboration across the MedTech ecosystem. Through our programming at events like our annual MiniTec programs and ANTEC, we deliver cutting-edge insights and practical knowledge on emerging materials, processing methods, and regulatory trends.
The Society of Plastics Engineers – Medical Plastics Division is proud to welcome and congratulate our newly elected board members!
We are the leading platform for the scientific and engineering community to exchange technical information on medical applications using plastics and polymers.
With their leadership, we foster:
Knowledge exchange across the MedTech ecosystem
Cross-industry collaboration and networking
Cutting-edge programming at MiniTec, ANTEC, and partner events
Insights into emerging materials, processes, and regulatory trends
Real-world learning from engineers, innovators, researchers, and manufacturers
Please join us in welcoming the incoming board and thanking those who have served and continue to support this work!
We are pleased to welcome Ajay D. Padsalgikar, Technical Director at Biolinq Incorporated, as a newly elected board member of the Society of Plastics Engineers – Medical Plastics Division. Ajay brings decades of expertise in polyurethane chemistry, morphology, and processing for medical devices, with experience across global organizations including Huntsman Polyurethanes, AorTech Biomaterials, Abbott Labs, and DSM Biomedical. He currently leads material solutions for biosensor technologies at Biolinq. With more than 30 scientific publications, 10 patents, and two books focused on medical plastics, Ajay combines deep technical knowledge with innovation leadership. We look forward to his contributions to advancing the medical plastics community.
Gregorio Manuel Vélez-García, PhD, Process Scientist at Zeus Industrial Products Inc., brings nearly 20 years of industrial and academic experience spanning pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, plastics manufacturing, additive manufacturing, and medical devices. An active SPE member since 2001, he has contributed to MPD’s Membership and Communications Committees and helped strengthen member engagement. With senior roles at Edwards Lifesciences, Stryker, and Zeus, Gregorio combines deep technical expertise with a passion for knowledge sharing and advancing innovation within the medical plastics community.
William Boston Morris, a Polymer Materials Engineer at Siemens Energy, recently completed his PhD in Materials Science and Engineering at Colorado State University following a bachelor’s degree in Chemical and Biological Engineering. His doctoral research developed thermoplastic elastomer-hydrogel composites, a promising new medical plastic designed to provide hydrophilic low-friction intrinsically to styrenic TPEs, such as SEBS, for medical devices like catheters and soft tissue mimics.
Will has experience working with a startup commercializing this technology and managed a materials testing lab at his university, where he trained and mentored students. He is currently working as a polymer materials engineer at Siemens Energy, developing wear resistant, filled polymer composites and conducting polymer failure analysis.
We are excited to announce that Joanne Moody, Principal Consultant at Zeta Scientific LLC, has been elected as a board member of the Society of Plastics Engineers – Medical Plastics Division. Joanne brings more than 25 years of medical device industry experience and is widely recognized for her expertise in adhesives, plastics bonding, and joint design challenges. Through Zeta Scientific, she supports organizations ranging from startups to Fortune 500 companies, helping teams overcome development barriers and bring innovative products to market. Joanne has played an active leadership role within SPE MPD, including supporting the Minnesota MiniTec conference and strengthening member engagement. We are excited to continue benefiting from her technical leadership, collaborative spirit, and commitment to growing the medical plastics community.
Please join us in welcoming Chris Konitzer, Managing Director at MediPlas Market Development Group, as a newly elected board member.
The MediPlas Market Development Group provides market and technical insights in the healthcare materials sector. He has previous experience at Avient and Dow Corning/Dow Chemical. Chris has 20+ years of experience in Marketing, Business Strategy, Business Development, and Sales. He thoroughly enjoys building new relationships, which fuels his passion for collaboration. Chris has served on the SPE-MPD Board of Directors as Sponsorship Chair for the past 3 years, doubling sponsorship support for MiniTec each year. He has a BS in Chemical Engineering and an MBA with an emphasis in International Business Development and Marketing.
Are you working on a project related to medical polymer science, polymer engineering, or medical innovation?
We invite you to share your research with industry leaders by participating in the SPE Poster Session at our upcoming industry event!
This is a fantastic opportunity to:
Present your work to academics and professionals
Gain visibility and recognition within the medical polymer and medical device community
Build your network and explore career opportunities
We are pleased to offer complimentary registration and a monetary stipend to students presenting posters, to support their participation. We encourage two presenters per poster, and both co-authors should be included in the online input form. A Best Poster Award will be presented. Poster size should be 3’ x 4’. Final poster need to be done by Oct 1 for our committee review.
Submit your poster abstract today and take part in one of the most exciting technical showcases for emerging talent. Poster presenters need not be present.
“I enjoyed attending and presenting at the MiniTec Midwest Conference, which was inspiring and provided valuable opportunities for industry networking. Two of my students also participated in the poster session, where they showcased their research and received meaningful feedback and industry connections. I strongly recommend this conference and will once again support student poster presentations.” – Chun Wang, Biomedical Engineering Department, University of Minnesota
“Last year I attended the MiniTec with two masters students who presented their research. We had a wonderful experience. Students gained exposure to the latest polymer science in the biomedical field and received quality feedback on their posters from industry professionals. All of us left the meeting energized by the connections we made during the experience, and we look forward to attending next year. ” – Yanika Schneider, SJSU – Chemical Engineering department
“I thoroughly enjoyed attending the MiniTec Conference, which truly serves as a bridge between academia and industry. The conference provided an excellent platform for networking, knowledge sharing, and exploring emerging trends in the field. One of my research students, Mirnesa Delic, presented our work through a poster on the synthesis of a biohydrogel using Atmospheric Pressure Plasma technology. She was highly engaged with attendees, gaining valuable insights, constructive feedback, and meaningful connections that will significantly benefit her academic and professional growth.
Beyond our presentation, I attended several cutting-edge sessions that deepened my understanding of emerging techniques, innovative methodologies, and collaborative opportunities. These insights will directly enhance my teaching at Hamline University and further advance the research conducted in the Hamline Plasma Laboratory.” – Urvashi Sandhir, Chemistry Department at Hamline University
Topics of interest include the following:
1. Advanced Medical Polymers
Smart, self-healing, bio inspired, and antimicrobial medical plastics
Material biocompatibility
Materials & technologies critical for next generation medicines & therapeutic delivery systems
Stimuli Response in Polymers
2. Next-Generation Medical Devices & Therapeutic Delivery
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning in healthcare
Next generation medical devices and therapeutic delivery systems
Personalization in materials, manufacturing, devices, and measurements
Development of hybrid devices to reduce single-use plastic waste and OEM end-of-life responsibilities
3. Manufacturing Innovations & Process Control
Additive manufacturing in medical devices (3D and “4D” printing)
Innovations in polymer processing and device manufacturing
Micro-Implementation
AI and machine learning-driven tools for medical plastics manufacturing
4. Regulatory Compliance & Testing
Testing and validation of medical plastics (evolving standards and regulations: ISO 10993 updates, MDR, PFAS)
Interactions between medical plastics and sterilization methods (e.g., ethylene oxide limitations)
5. Sustainability & Lifecycle Considerations
Sustainability in healthcare materials and manufacturing
Design considerations for balancing safety, convenience, and lifecycle impact
Recycling: PVC IV bags & tubing, Syringes, etc.
Micro-plastics
If you have any questions or need guidance, feel free to reach out. We’re here to support your success!
One highlight of the conference was recognizing Len Czuba with the prestigious Glenn Beall Founders Award, honoring a career defined by technical excellence, industry leadership, and unwavering service to the medical device community.
Congratulations to the SPE MPD MiniTec organizing team for a great event. It was great to connect with so many industry peers dedicated to improving healthcare.
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.
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
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.
Materials Testing to Support Root Cause Analysis for Manufacturing and Quality Issues at AtriCure by Cameron Sawyer, AtriCure, Inc.
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
FINALIST:
Molly Garber
Plastics Engineering student at UW Stout
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!
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.
