Mike Sneller

Mike Sneller is a prototype engineer, industrial product designer, and technical fabrication expert at Protostudios within the University of Iowa’s Office of Innovation, specializing in medical device development, mechanical engineering design, and cross-disciplinary material synthesis.

Mike Sneller operates at the cutting-edge intersection of fine arts ingenuity and advanced medical engineering, translating abstract concepts into highly precise, functional physical devices. Holding a Bachelor of Fine Arts in metalworking from the University of Iowa, he leverages a unique decade-long background in sculpture, physics, and custom commercial welding to solve complex structural design challenges. Before joining Protostudios, Mike honed his technical capabilities in advanced custom manufacturing and micro-design at M.C. Ginsberg, mastering the material science and structural physics required to build highly intricate, low-tolerance medical and mechanical prototypes.

At Protostudios, Mike collaborates directly with clinical researchers, surgeons, and independent entrepreneurs to architect and fabricate early-stage corporate assets. His notable engineering achievements include designing a specialized calibration phantom for MRI systems and co-developing automated, Arduino-controlled medical research devices, such as the Burn Induction Contact System (BICS). Honored with the 2024 Career Impact Award by the UI Pomerantz Career Center, Mike combines advanced computer-aided design (CAD) modeling, 3D printing, and precise metal fabrication to guide student engineering teams and clients alike. By pairing creative problem-solving with rigorous manufacturing standards, he provides technical founders with the practical roadmap needed to scale raw inventions into commercialized market assets.

Join Mike to uncover the engineering and prototyping frameworks required to transition an early-stage concept into a physical product, select the ideal material architectures, and navigate the technical pipeline of medical and mechanical innovation.