Dr. Prawel co-directs the Biomaterials Research and Engineering Laboratory (BREL) with Dr. Susan James, and develops biomaterials for cardiovascular and orthopedic healthcare. They hold several patents on novel technologies for orthopedic and cardiovascular applications.

Dr. Prawel also founded and directs CSU’s Idea2Product (I2P) 3D printing lab, which provides access to 3D printing, scanning, software and related technologies, along with education and support for users.

Dr. Prawel has enjoyed a four-decade career as an entrepreneur, consultant and educator in 3D technology and digital product development. As an entrepreneur, he helped build 6 startup companies, with one successful IPO and hopefully one more in the works. As a consultant, he has advised dozens of manufacturing companies large and small in the application and deployment of 3D technology in global product development and manufacturing. As an author and speaker, he has published many articles and presented at numerous international conferences on a wide range of topics involving 3D technology in digital product development, 3D printing, and design / manufacturing collaboration. He is currently an Associate Research Professor in Mechanical Engineering at CSU, where he develops biomaterials for orthopedic and cardiovascular medicine, teaches additive manufacturing and runs the Idea2Product 3D printing lab, which he founded in 2012. In addition to his love affair with 3D technology, he is married for 40 years to a remarkable and extremely understanding woman and has an extraordinary son who is shaking things up in high-tech.