Grand Valley State University Expanding its Medical Device Institute

Grand Valley State University (GVSU) has received $1 million in federal funds to expand its applied Medical Device Institute (aMDI) and develop new technologies that will help expand West Michigan’s economic footprint. aMDI was established in 2015 as a non-instructional unit of the Padnos College of Engineering and Computing. 
 
U.S. Rep. Peter Meijer, (R-Mich.), requested and received the funding, which was packaged into the 2022 Consolidated Appropriations Act signed by President Joe Biden on March 15.
 
“With Congressman Meijer’s leadership, aMDI will serve as a model of innovation that expands our reach into new ventures,” GVSU President Philomena V. Mantella said. “This reflects Grand Valley’s role in forming public-private partnerships that serve as economic catalysts for West Michigan. Congressman Meijer has been forward-thinking in promoting education and economic development.”
 
Brent Nowak, executive director of aMDI, said the funds will help aMDI take on more projects from medical device developers, who might have turned elsewhere, and “allow us to make a broader impact on medical device technology in West Michigan.”
 
“What Peter Meijer has done for us plants a seed to grow this field of innovation and allows us to make an impact on medical device technology in West Michigan,” Nowak said.
 
Paul Plotkowski, dean of the Padnos College of Engineering and Computing, said Grand Valley students will also benefit. “This funding will allow aMDI to expand both capabilities and capacity,” he said. “This will mean supporting more companies in broader areas of product design and launch. Through this, we will be able to enrich the education of many more students through internships, cooperative education and graduate assistantships.”