3D printer recognised as Female Innovator
3D printing engineer recognised as Female Innovator
Wednesday, 29 Nov 2023 10:49 GMT
Renia Gkountiou won the title of Female Innovator for 2023 for her role in helping SMEs to develop 3D printing
Renia Gkountiou, an Aston University 3D printing engineer has won the Female Innovator Award at the Innovation Awards 2023.
Gkountiou is an engineer and technician within the University’s Advanced Prototyping Facility (APF) project and was nominated by professionals within her field for her role in helping small-to-medium sized businesses use and develop additive manufacturing.
The APF was set up by Aston University to increase awareness of the opportunities within additive manufacturing or 3D printing and Gkountiou has been working at the project for just over two years.
Since it was launched, the project has helped 75 countries improve the efficiency and effectiveness of their existing designs and develop new products and prototypes.
“Winning the award of Female Innovator of the Year at the Innovation Awards 2023 is not just a personal achievement but a testament to the dedication and hard work of the most incredible team in APF over the last two years,” says Gkountiou.
“Innovation has always been at the heart of my career journey,” she adds. “We have leveraged 3D printing across a variety of projects in different sectors, spanning art, engineering, and healthcare, all of which have yielded tangible benefits for society.”
In addition to Gkountiou taking home the Female Innovator Award, the team’s project director Professor David Webb and additive manufacturing engineer and designer William Utting were nominated for other awards.
Last year, Aston University became the second UK university to have an engineering department awarded Athena Swan Gold for its commitment to advancing the careers of women and promoting gender equality.
Professor Stephen Garrett, executive dean of the University’s College of Engineering and Physical Sciences, adds: “We are immensely proud of the accomplishments of Renia, William, and David in their respected nominated categories.
“These honours not only epitomise individual excellence but also represent the culture of innovation and collaboration that we are actively fostering within the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences. As we eagerly await the formal launch of Design Factory Birmingham, the role of the APF team in amplifying this culture is set to be invaluable.”
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