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Wrapping Up MiniTec Minneapolis 2024

Wrapping up another successful year at the SPE MPD MiniTec Conference in Minneapolis during MD&M MidWest!

It was fantastic to reconnect with colleagues and see so many new and familiar faces. Here are some of the highlights from our one-day event:

Conference Highlights

Our special keynote featuring Dr. Art Erdman, Founding Director of the Bakken Medical Devices Center, set the tone with a thought-provoking presentation.

Speakers included:

  • Rob Klein, AtriCure Inc.
  • Chun Wang, University of Minnesota, Biomedical Engineering
  • Wei Shen, University of Minnesota, Biomedical Engineering
  • Chris Konitzer, Avient Corp.
  • Patrick Haney, MTD Micro Molding
  • Shrubs Manna, Foster Corp.
  • Louis Somlai, Eli Lilly
  • Chris Ellison, University of Minnesota, IPPRIME
  • Wei Zheng, University of Wisconsin–Stout, Plastics Engineering
  • Len Czuba, Czuba Enterprises
  • Paul Briant, Exponent
  • Kimberly Chaffin, Medtronic
  • Chris Lyons, Exponent

This event featured presentations on innovations in materials, biopolymers, diagnostics, device-enabling polymers, drug delivery, design, manufacturing, 3D printing, testing, sterilization, and sustainability. Speakers included both academic and industry leaders in the medical devices industry.  We also held a successful student poster session. The top-ranked student poster award went to Marcus Flowers, UMN Biomedical Engineering.

Poster Session and Networking: 

The full-day conference was followed by a popular networking reception. MD&M Midwest brings together key players and industry experts who focus on the challenges and innovations shaping the industry.

Special Thanks

A special thank you to the team that made all this possible: Rob Klein, Chris Lyons, Len Czuba, Ron Dugas, Joanne Moody, and many others behind the scenes.

We’re proud to be part of MD&M Midwest, where collaboration drives the next wave of innovation in medical plastics. See you next year!


2024 – Thank You to Our Sponsors

We extend our heartfelt thanks to this year’s MiniTec sponsors.

Their sponsorship enabled us to bring together professionals, students, and thought leaders from across the medical polymer community for a day of knowledge sharing, technical insights, and meaningful connections. Their partnership is instrumental in advancing our mission to serve as the leading platform for scientific and engineering exchange in the medical polymer field.

Thank You to Our Sponsors