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
OccupationBiotechnologist, 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[]

Born in Tallaght, South Dublin, Redmond studied 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[]

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[]

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]

References[]

  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.
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