MPower Fellow Spotlight: David Garvey

On May 22, 2023, David Garvey graduated with a Master of Engineering concentrating in Bioengineering. While earning his degree, he also participated in the Fischell Institute’s MPowering the State Student Entrepreneurship Fellowship, which helps transition innovative medical device projects into great business ideas.

As an MPower Fellow, Garvey worked with handheld medical devices. During the past two years, he worked in Fischell Institute Affiliate and BIOE Assistant Professor Jenna Mueller’s lab, developing an early prototype for an EC-ethanol injector to ablate cervical dysplasia in low- and middle-income countries.

“It was an honor to learn about and use a variety of manufacturing methods to construct a device that could change the lives of thousands of women annually,” said Garvey.

Through the fellowship, Garvey was exposed to a host of multiple manufacturing technologies in 3D printing. He learned stereolithography (SLA) and selective laser sintering (SLS) while honing his skills in fusion deposition modeling (FDM) to iterate on prototypes for his project efficiently. He was also exposed to computer numerated control (CNC) lathe machining and learned the fundamentals of designing for additional manufacturing methods, such as CNC milling and injection molding.

“David has always demonstrated a keen eye for detail and elegant design, both in his work with Dr. Mueller and also with other passion projects,” said Fischell Institute engineer Kevin Aroom. “He brings a 'can-do' attitude to whatever project he is working on.” Aroom and Garvey worked closely together.

With 3D printing exposure, Garvey noted that his interests expanded to orthopedics and prostheses in the future. Anything that can be scaled up to aid people globally sparks his curiosity.

Over the summer, Garvey will continue with the Fischell Institute to complete his prototype and the associated documentation. Long-term, he looks forward to moving out of Maryland for the first time and getting to know and experience another area of the United States.

Outside of research, Garvey enjoys snowboarding, surfing, fishing, woodworking, and, perhaps most influentially, the Chinese martial art kung fu. According to him, studying the principles of kung fu has helped him overcome obstacles he faces in everyday life.

Published May 24, 2023