As a young entrepreneur developing groundbreaking medical devices, Farid Manshaii is pushing the boundaries of medical technology through multiple ventures. Now, he's bringing his expertise to Keck Graduate Institute (KGI) as a Team Master's Project (TMP) liaison while pursuing coursework in KGI's Master of Biotechnology Management (MBM) program.
For the TMP, Manshaii is working with students in KGI's Master of Science in Medical Device Engineering (MSMDE) program to develop a bioprinter that could transform organ printing capabilities. The project aims to make bioprinting technology more accessible and efficient through an innovative pump system that enables continuous printing of up to 16 different cell types.
"Current bioprinters are extremely expensive and can't print organs properly to their entirety," Manshaii said. "By developing this new system, we're trying to make the technology more affordable and practical, similar to how traditional 3D printing became more accessible over time."
KGI's emphasis on real-world applications and functionality aligns with Manshaii’s vision. Having taken courses at the Claremont Colleges in high school, he was already familiar with the institution's reputation for bridging academia and industry.
"What drew me to KGI was the focus on translating research into tangible solutions," Manshaii said.
He connected with Associate Vice Provost of Research, Innovation, and Partnerships and Professor Loren Martin, who saw the potential for collaboration on laboratory research. Their shared entrepreneurial background — both having completed programs at Babson College — helped cement the partnership.
“KGI was founded with an entrepreneurial ethos that bridges the gap between academia and industry,” said Martin. “We love to be the place where young, bright entrepreneurs like Farid find the support they need to be successful. Through our course offerings, student teams, faculty mentors, and research facilities, KGI provides an overall entrepreneurship ecosystem to support new ventures in the life and health sciences.”
This commitment to practical innovation extends beyond his work at KGI. Manshaii is also developing a range of medical ventures, including an adaptive e-cigarette system that personalizes nicotine reduction based on individual usage patterns. The device, which recently won the 2024 James Dyson National Prize, reflects his interdisciplinary approach to medical technology, drawing from his bioengineering, neuroscience, and psychology studies at UCLA.
"The adaptive e-cigarette tackles both psychological and physiological aspects of addiction," Manshaii said. "We can quantify these influences using biomarkers and other measurable indicators.”
He finds working with KGI students particularly rewarding.
"I really enjoy the open collaboration," Manshaii said. “It’s been a great opportunity to brainstorm startup ideas together and exchange expertise."
The bioprinting project is part of a larger mission to democratize medical technology.
“The goal is to create an open-source platform that researchers can build upon,” Manshaii said. “By making the system modifiable and repairable, we empower scientists to drive innovation forward."
Manshaii credits KGI faculty members including Martin and Angelika Niemz, dean and professor of the Henry E. Riggs School of Applied Life Sciences, for their ongoing support and mentorship. As he continues taking courses in the MBM program, he plans to pursue an industry-sponsored PhD in Applied Life Sciences at KGI, focusing on further development of the adaptive e-cigarette technology.
Looking ahead, Manshaii envisions launching an independent research laboratory dedicated to developing practical medical solutions.
"I want to create an environment where we can focus on turning theoretical knowledge into applications that directly benefit people," he said.