AMUG Hands Out Two Scholarships

The Additive Manufacturing Users Group (AMUG) has named the recipients of its scholarships. Colleen Murray, Ph.D., a lecturer in the Department of Aerospace Engineering at the University of Maryland (UMD), has been awarded the Randy Stevens Scholarship for educators in additive manufacturing. Justin Levy, a third-year mechanical engineering student at The Ohio State University (OSU), has been awarded the Guy E. Bourdeau Scholarship for students in additive manufacturing.

As scholarship recipients, Dr. Murray and Levy will attend the AMUG Conference. They are scheduled to take the main stage to present their work on Tuesday, April 1, 2025. The AMUG Conference will be held in Chicago, IL, March 30 to April 3, 2025. The scholarships recognize students and educators who demonstrate a passion and vision for additive manufacturing while working towards advancing education and industry.

“The fact that selection was difficult for the Scholarship Committee shows that these scholarships are becoming an increasingly sought-after and competitive honor among highly motivated students and instructors in the field of additive manufacturing,” says Brent Griffith, co-chair of AMUG's Scholarship Committee and a 2023 scholarship recipient.

“We had an outstanding pool of applicants this year,” says Olga Ivanova, Ph.D., Scholarship Committee co-chair. “The selection process was particularly difficult, as the top two candidates for the Guy E. Bourdeau Scholarship and the top three for the Randy Stevens Scholarship received nearly identical scores from the committee, making the final decision especially challenging.”

Colleen Murray received a doctoral degree in mechanical engineering from UMD and is a lecturer in the Department of Aerospace Engineering at UMD. She teaches a class on the mechanics of composites. Also, Murray is assisting in developing an undergraduate program in mechatronics engineering for the Universities at Shady Grove. Her research background is in the mechanical characterization of composites and additively manufactured structures.  

Norman Wereley, Ph.D., a UMD Minta Martin Professor of aerospace engineering, said in his letter of recommendation, “Dr. Murray is an excellent communicator and an exceptional person, leader, scholar, mentor and researcher. I cannot imagine anyone more deserving of the Randy Stevens Scholarship.”

Dr. Murray focuses on expanding the boundaries of additive manufacturing through ongoing research. She believes that participation in the AMUGConference will support these efforts.

“I hope to bring back valuable insights and encourage my colleagues to attend in the future. I am excited to learn more about additive manufacturing and how it will help define our future,” Murray says. 

Justin Levy became interested in 3D printing when he was 13 years old and now conducts research in laser powder bed fusion and process optimization. He has consistently sought to push the boundaries of additive manufacturing technologies. Those ambitions led him to OSU, where he is pursuing a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering.

As a student researcher in OSU's Center for Design and Manufacturing Excellence (CDME), Levy works to optimize breakaway support strategies for laser powder bed fusion to reduce post-processing time and improve workflow. He also worked on a collaborative project between CDME and Pantheon3D to bring the first concrete 3D printer to Ohio.

Levy's work outside of OSU includes an internship at Castheon, and a fellow opportunity in the National Security Innovation Network (NSIN) X-Force program. In the summer of 2025, he will work with the additive group in the REACT lab at Tinker Air Force Base on strategies to use additive manufacturing across the U.S. Air Force.

“Justin's practical expertise in additive manufacturing processes and his unwavering commitment to innovation make him an outstanding candidate for this scholarship,” said Youping Gao, Castheon's founder, chief scientist, and executive vice president, in his letter of recommendation. “I am confident that his dedication, technical aptitude, and collaborative spirit will continue to serve him and any organization he supports well in future endeavors.”

In his statement about participation as an NSIN X-Force Fellow, Levy said, “Many younger students had never worked with 3D printing. Mentoring them and demonstrating the usefulness of this technology was a genuine pleasure, especially while contributing to such a unique aircraft program.”

About the Scholarships

The Guy E. Bourdeau Scholarship—founded by Guy's wife, Renee Bourdeau, and financially supported by Project MFG—is awarded annually to one college student. The Randy Stevens Scholarship—founded and financially supported by Randy's former employer, In'Tech Industries—is awarded annually to one educator focusing on additive manufacturing.

Sources: Press materials received from the company and additional information gleaned from the company’s website.