Member Spotlight: Interview with Melanie Tomczak of UES, Inc.
UES Inc. was one of the first companies to formally sign on as a BioMADE member in June 2021. For nearly 50 years, UES, Inc. has been involved in scientific research and technology development, and has created and successfully commercialized innovative products and services. Their Biological and Nanoscale Technologies Division focuses on soft material research, development, and technology transition spanning across several fields including organic synthesis, synthetic biology, and machine learning.
We caught up with Melanie Tomczak, Director of Biological and Nanoscale Technologies at UES, Inc. to learn about her interest in BioMADE and her vision for the future.
BioMADE: Tell us about UES, Inc.
Tomczak: As a scientist, it’s fun to be part of UES, an organization that was founded with a vision to become a trusted scientific research and development partner. We prioritize solving scientific challenges in multiple disciplines flexibly, and that keeps our work environment rewarding and challenging. We’re an Ohio-based, women-owned small business. Working well with our government, academic, and industry and non-profit consortium partners, like BioMADE, is part of our DNA.
BioMADE: How did you hear about BioMADE, and what made you want to be involved?
Tomczak: UES has been a partner with BioMADE since the proposal stage. UES differentiates itself from most scientific services firms by valuing technology transfer. My Biological & Nanoscale Technologies Division, as part of the UES organization, focuses on bio & soft material research, development, and technology transition spanning many fields. So BioMADE as a DoD-sponsored Manufacturing Innovation Institute is a natural partner. We’re already members of America Makes and NextFlex, and this seemed an excellent next step.
BioMADE: What do you hope to gain out of your partnership with BioMADE?
Tomczak: I think being part of an ecosystem that leverages our thriving biotech sector would be a good opportunity for UES. We’ve made valuable contributions in areas like nanomaterial production scale-up, biostabilization, and flexible materials development. Staying in tune with fellow members’ market needs, and innovating towards those needs, will be an exciting place for UES to be in. We see ourselves as a necessary and natural tech transition bridge between DoD/academia and industry. We thrive on and understand the challenges of research, and at the same time are responsive to market priorities as well.
BioMADE: Where do you see the industry going in 5-10 years?
Tomczak: It’s clear to us that there’s a welcome and overdue vision to establish long-term and dependable bioindustrial manufacturing capabilities in the U.S. We’re beginning to see all the facets of daily life that we can positively affect with intentional and sustainable technologies. BioMADE members will be at the forefront of that evolution, and we’ll learn to work better together to synergize research innovation and industry leading practices.
BioMADE: What barriers need to be overcome to reach that vision?
Tomczak: Recent events like the COVID-19 pandemic have made it clear that we need to secure and strengthen our bioindustrial base, in all the diverse areas that our disciplines serve. If we get more collaborative, we can respond in a flexible and purposeful manner to the challenges that we’ll face. I’m optimistic that with BioMADE, we’ll be able to incubate and foster the local and national innovations and growth. I’m grateful to the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering for recognizing this opportunity and fostering this new ecosystem.