Two Department of Defense manufacturing innovation institutes in the 91看片 network have announced new women leaders. , the DoD manufacturing innovation institute established in 2020, announced the hiring of its inaugural Chief Technology Officer, Melanie Tomczak. As CTO, Tomczak will develop, support, and oversee BioMADE technical priorities, drive strategic decisions on bioindustrial manufacturing technology, and manage a programmatic budget to catalyze innovation and manufacturing capability nationally. Tomczak鈥檚 scientific background is in biotechnology, biochemistry, biosensor development, protein structure-function relationships, and co-opting what nature does well.
She has extensive experience working with the Department of Defense, industry, and academia across a wide range of technology areas. In partnership with other BioMADE leadership, Tomczak is key to working with members to set BioMADE priorities and direction, leading innovative technology programs, and growing the bioindustrial manufacturing ecosystem in the U.S.
LIFT, the Detroit-based DoD manufacturing innovation institute, announced that it promoted Phaedra Wainaina to Director of Education and Workforce Development to lead the institute鈥檚 Learning Innovations For Tomorrow talent programming. In this role, Wainaina鈥檚 focus is on growing LIFT鈥檚 current talent initiatives to include more students in Detroit and across the country, while expanding the institute鈥檚 curricula into more forward-looking areas like the connection of materials research, manufacturing processes and virtual systems.
Among LIFT鈥檚 core talent development programs are:
IGNITE: Mastering Manufacturing 鈥 A three-year foundational competency-based curriculum for the 鈥渕ulti-skilled technician鈥 needed in today鈥檚 workplace. introducing students to advanced manufacturing materials, processes and systems.
Operation Next 鈥 An innovative training and credentialing program that provides opportunities for active-duty soldiers within their last six months of service, national guard and reserve members, and their spouses.
