Ryan T. Watkins Talks DfAM for Better Spacecraft Performance at AMUG 2025

AMUG 2025 will be taking place soon on March 30 – April 3 in Chicago, Illinois. And one of the clear highlights is, as always, the keynote speeches, including one from Ryan T. Watkins, PhD, a research engineer at NASA JPL. He will be delving into the importance of design in additive manufacturing, especially as it relates to aerospace applications. We sat down with him to learn more about his work as well as what attendees can expect from AMUG.

3DN: Could you introduce yourself and your connection to 3D printing?

Ryan T. Watkins, PhD

My name is Ryan T. Watkins, PhD, and I’m a research engineer at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California. For nearly a decade, I’ve been exploring the possibilities of 3D printing and its impact on space exploration.

My research focuses on combining advanced manufacturing techniques, like additive manufacturing, with innovative design approaches such as topology optimization and lattice structures to enhance spacecraft performance. Beyond research, I help bring new technologies into space applications — for 3D printing, this includes qualifying materials for space environments, supporting teams in designing for additive manufacturing, and guiding the adoption of these techniques across missions.