Jemma Redmond

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Jemma Redmond
Born(1978-03-16)16 March 1978
Tallaght, Ireland
Died16 August 2016(2016-08-16) (aged 38)
NationalityIrish
Occupation(s)Biotechnologist, innovator

Jemma Redmond (16 March 1978 – 16 August 2016) was an Irish biotechnology pioneer and innovator. She was a co-founder of 3D bio-printing firm Ourobotics, developers of the first-ever ten-material bio-printer.[1] Redmond designed a way of keeping living cells alive while printed using 3D printers,[2] making her a leading figure in Irish science and technology.[1]

Early life[edit]

Born in Tallaght, South Dublin, Redmond studied electronic engineering before earning her undergraduate degree in applied physics at Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen in 2002. She later returned to university, completing a master's degree in nano-bioscience at University College Dublin in 2012, along with qualifications in project management and electronic engineering.[2] Her interest in nano-bioscience was sparked by an intersex condition that made her infertile.[2][3][4] She started bioprinting by building her own devices in her kitchen.[5]

Career[edit]

A serial entrepreneur, Redmond created a company manufacturing vending machines in 2008, before co-founding Ourobotics in January 2015, with Alanna Kelly from Galway, Ireland, and backing from SOSV.[6] Kelly resigned as director in July 2015. Tony Herbert, entrepreneur and owner of technical optics company Irish Precision Optics, from Cork became a director of Ourobotics in August 2015 and the company moved to the optics company premises in Cork City. Redmond designed and marketed two bio-printers including, in 2016, a printer capable of printing human tissue,[6] and at a much lower cost than previous bio-printers.[2] Redmond's first device printed an extended finger, described by Pádraig Belton as "a gentle reply to those who had called printing organs of such complexity impossible."[2]

In January 2016, the company won first prize in a prestigious international competition, Silicon Valley Open Doors Europe.[7][8][9] The company was also selected as part of a start-up adoption program by Google.[10]

Death[edit]

Redmond died unexpectedly in August 2016.[1][2][11] Her mother described it as a "tragic accident".[12] She was described as a polymath,[1] an inspiration and great friend.[7][13] She was survived by her partner, Kay Cairns, a journalist and activist.[14]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d Hunt, Gordon (17 August 2016). "'Inspirational' Ourobotics founder Jemma Redmond dies unexpectedly". Silicon Republic. Retrieved 22 September 2016.
  2. ^ a b c d e f Belton, Pádraig (21 September 2016). "Jemma Redmond obituary". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 22 September 2016.
  3. ^ "Kickstart Your Business: Ouro-botics". Newstalk. 24 March 2016. Archived from the original on 12 May 2017. Retrieved 22 September 2016.
  4. ^ Baird, Julia (31 December 2016). "The women of science who never got the credit they deserved". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 17 January 2017.
  5. ^ Liederbach, Kayla (18 September 2015). "Female Founder Spotlight: Jemma Redmond of Ouro_botics". SOSV.
  6. ^ a b Woods, Killian (21 February 2016). "This startup says conservative Ireland is afraid to fund world-changing biotech". Fora.
  7. ^ a b Cogley, Michael (18 August 2016). "Friends left 'shocked and saddened' as young Irish CEO passes away unexpectedly". Irish Independent. Retrieved 22 September 2016.
  8. ^ "Ourobotics Takes Home Silicon Valley Google Award with 10 Material Bioprinter". 3DPrintingIndustry.com. 3 February 2016.
  9. ^ "SVOD Europe Conference 2016". SVOD Europe. 2 February 2016.
  10. ^ "4 Cork companies adopted by Google". Cork Independent. 28 April 2016.
  11. ^ Weinstock, Maia (28 December 2016). "Gone in 2016: 10 Notable Women in Science and Technology". Scientific American. Retrieved 17 January 2017.
  12. ^ Bray, Allison (19 August 2016). "Sudden death of 'inspiring' scientist shocks colleagues". Herald. Retrieved 11 April 2018.
  13. ^ Woods, Killian (18 August 2016). "The head of Irish biotech company Ourobotics has died unexpectedly". Fora.
  14. ^ "c&en".
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