AMUG Names 2026 Scholarship Winners for Reno Conference Presentations

Abby L. Stamper, a mechanical engineering student at Boise State University who turned a passion for digital design into a functioning 3D printing business, and Li Yang, Ph.D., an associate professor at the University of Louisville with nearly two decades in additive manufacturing education, have been named the Additive Manufacturing Users Group's 2026 scholarship recipients. Both will take the main stage at the AMUG Conference in Reno, Nevada, on Tuesday, March 17, during the event's March 15-19 run.

Stamper receives the Guy E. Bourdeau Scholarship, awarded annually to a student in additive manufacturing. Beyond her coursework, she founded Brown Box Cookie Cutters, a venture that uses 3D printing to produce original cookie cutter designs. The scholarship was founded by Renee Bourdeau and carries financial backing from Formnext.

Li Yang takes home the Randy Stevens Scholarship, which recognizes educators in the field. His 19-year career in additive manufacturing education began with doctoral work in industrial and systems engineering at North Carolina State University before he moved to his current role in the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering at the University of Louisville. His research centers on the design and realization of lightweight structures produced with additive manufacturing, with a particular focus on closing the knowledge gap between design intent and real-life application. The Randy Stevens Scholarship was founded by In'Tech Industries, Inc. and is financially supported by GreatAmerica.

Ed Herderick, EWD director at America Makes, who has collaborated with Yang since his time at NC State, spoke directly to Yang's impact: "Li Yang is a passionate educator who has inspired and taught hundreds of students over many years. He is an enthusiastic additive collaborator who will leverage the Randy Stevens Scholarship to build new relationships and grow our industry."

Dr. Olga Ivanova and Brent Griffith, co-chairs of AMUG's Scholarship Committee, described the selection process as particularly competitive. "We were thrilled with the quality and diversity of this year's applicants. The submissions demonstrated outstanding talent, creativity, and potential in the next generation of additive manufacturing leaders," the two said jointly.

The scholarships are designed to recognize students and educators who demonstrate a passion and vision for additive manufacturing while working toward advancing education and industry. As recipients, Stamper and Yang will engage with the broader AMUG community throughout the conference before their main-stage presentations on March 17.

The Reno conference will also feature keynote addresses from Steve Fournier of General Atomics and Scott Sawyer of Divergent, adding further weight to an event that has become a key gathering point for practitioners across the AM ecosystem.