Category: Academic Outreach

Congratulations to SPE Best Poster Award Winner Charles T. Knisely

Posted on by Theresa Shafer

The SPE Medical Plastics Division is pleased to congratulate Charles T. Knisely of the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities on receiving the Best Poster Award for his outstanding research on innovative drug delivery technologies.

His award-winning poster, “Controlling the Stability and Mechanical Properties of Emulsion Hydrogels for Non-Invasive Drug Delivery,” explores a promising approach to making topical drug delivery more effective, controlled, and patient-friendly.

Advancing Non-Invasive Drug Delivery

Delivering medications through the skin and other biological barriers remains a significant challenge. Charles and his research team have developed an innovative thermoresponsive emulsion hydrogel that can be applied as a liquid and transforms into a gel at body temperature.

This unique formulation offers the potential for controlled drug release without invasive delivery methods. By carefully adjusting interactions between polymers and oils, the researchers demonstrated how to improve gel stability, control mechanical properties, and maintain effective drug transport.

The research has exciting implications for a broad range of topical drug delivery applications, demonstrating how advances in polymer science can contribute to the next generation of medical treatments.

Recognizing Outstanding Student Research

We also extend our congratulations and appreciation to Michelle A. Calabrese, Charles’s faculty advisor, for her mentorship and support of this important research.

The SPE Medical Plastics Division is committed to encouraging student research and connecting emerging scientists and engineers with industry professionals. Our student poster program provides an opportunity to showcase innovative ideas, exchange technical knowledge, and build relationships that can help shape future careers.

Congratulations again to Charles T. Knisely and Michelle A. Calabrese! Your work highlights the important role polymer science plays in advancing healthcare and developing innovative medical technologies.

We look forward to seeing where this promising research leads!

SPE Posters 2026 Midwest

IGS + SPE Student Scholarship Announcement 2026

Posted on by Theresa Shafer
SPE MPD & IGS logos
Image source: Chatgpt 20261013 with edits from Theresa Shafer

STUDENT SCHOLARSHIP ANNOUNCEMENT

Medical Plastics Scholarship

$4000 First Place, $1500 Second Place $500 Third Place

CALL FOR APPLICATIONS:

Open October 6 – November 30, 2026

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 first place, $1500 second place, and $500 third place awards are co-sponsored by IGS and SPE MPD and are expected to be disbursed to students in the 2027 calendar year.  Stipends are 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 December 1 and January 22, 2027.  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 23 and February 5, 2027.  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 November 30, 2026.  Scholarship is expected to be selected by January 31, 2027.

Terms and Conditions of Cash Stipend:

  • Awards not to exceed 6,000 U.S. Dollars in total.
  • Award may be split into increments following successful completion of requirements and award selection noted above. After selection, the full value(s) are expected to be disbursed on or before June 30, 2027.
  • 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(s) are selected.
  • Scholarship funds may be partially or fully withheld from the awarded candidate if all Requirements above are not 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 2027.  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

For any questions, please contact:

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

SPE Student Scholarship Announcement 2026

Posted on by Theresa Shafer
SPE Scholarship Polymer 2026

STUDENT SCHOLARSHIP ANNOUNCEMENT

Medical Plastics Scholarship

$3000 First Place, $500 Second Place $500 Third Place

CALL FOR APPLICATIONS:

Open October 6 – November 30, 2026

SPE Medical Plastics Division is proud to announce a Student Scholarship in the topic of Molding of Medical Plastics and Polymers.  The $4,000 first place, $1500 second place, and $500 third place awards are sponsored by SPE MPD and are expected to be disbursed to students in the 2027 calendar year.  Stipends are to be paid in cash to the student following the Terms and Conditions section below.

Requirements for Applicants:

  • Undergraduate (B.S., B.E) and Graduate (M.S., M.E., Ph.D.) students enrolled in a U.S.-based university or college, in an accredited engineering or science major. 
    • Examples of appropriate majors: Plastics Engineering, Polymer Science and Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering, Biomaterials, Biomedical Engineering with Minor or specific focus on Materials, etc.
  • 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 December 1, 2026 and January 22, 2027.  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 23 and February 5, 2027.  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 SPE MPD representatives, based on the interest of the student, but are not required.

Deadline for submission is November 30, 2026.  Scholarship is expected to be selected by January 31, 2027.

Terms and Conditions of Cash Stipend:

  • Awards not to exceed 4,000 U.S. Dollars in total.
  • Award may be split into increments following successful completion of requirements and award selection noted above. After selection, the full value(s) are expected to be disbursed on or before June 30, 2027.
  • This announcement is not a commitment to award this scholarship.  SPE Medical Plastics Division retain the right to withhold this funding if no suitable candidate(s) are selected.
  • Scholarship funds may be partially or fully withheld from the awarded candidate if all Requirements above are not 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 2027.  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
SPE Scholarship Application 2026

For any questions, please contact:

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

MiniTec West February 8&9, 2027 Call for Posters

Posted on by Theresa Shafer

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 on Tuesday, following judging on Monday. 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.

“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 – Professor Chemical Engineering department

ABSTRACT DEADLINE – Nov 20, 2026

Submit your poster abstract

“I had a great time at the MiniTec conference and MD&M show in February! It was a fantastic networking opportunity, and I will definitely go again! The conference provided an excellent way to network and meet industry scientists. I have made industry connections who are coming to speak to our Polymer Science Club.”

Jayme Chow, Ph.D candidate UC Irvine

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!

Download poster for posting on a bulletin board.

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

MiniTec MidWest October 2026 Call for Posters

Posted on by Theresa Shafer

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

ABSTRACT DEADLINE – August 28, 2026

Submit your poster abstract

“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!

SPE Posters
SPE MidWest 2026 Speakers two qr code one page summary v5

Download poster for posting on a bulletin board.

Awardees of 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!

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.