Our Mission
Protostudios, a University of Iowa not-for-profit workshop, promotes Iowa’s economic development by supporting entrepreneurs, inventors, and faculty in creating proof-of-concept devices using advanced 3D design and manufacturing tools. Located in Iowa City, it employs engineers who mentor students in a cooperative development process, allowing clients to guide projects while retaining intellectual property. Students gain real-world experience, boosting career prospects and encouraging retention in Iowa.
"I have had the privilege of working with top biomedical engineers and designers from all over the world in the course of developing novel medical devices. Success with these projects hinges on the ability of your team to develop elegant design solutions to long-standing problems in a medical or surgical field, and then having the ability to rapidly create and iteratively refine device prototypes. The Protostudios team is fantastic in this regard. I have never worked with a more capable, talented and committed design and prototyping group. Having Protostudios as part of your team is a complete
Matthew A. Howard III MD
Professor and Chairman, Department of Neurosurgery, Member of the National Academy of Inventors
Little Village Studio Visit: Chuck Romans
"Look inside the studio of 3D Designer Charles Romans of Protostudios—now open at MERGE Iowa City in the Iowa City Downtown District—and see how their lab can take your idea from napkin sketch to prototype."
Little Village Magazine, Studio Visit Series

MERGE
Main Office / 3D Printing
136 S Dubuque St.
Iowa City, IA 52240

UIHC Office
General Hospital
160 MRF
220 Hawkins Drive
Iowa City, IA 52242

Van Allen Hall
Electronic RM 105 / CNC RM 101 / Milling RM 107
30 North Dubuque St.
Iowa City, IA 52242
Reach out to us!
Charles Romans | 3D Design Director | charles-romans@uiowa.edu |
Michael Sneller | 3D Design Product Designer | michael-sneller@uiowa.edu |
Sharon Spurgeon | Admin Services Coordinator | sharon-dsouza@uiowa.edu |