Meghan McCarthy

Biography

Meghan McCarthy is Program Lead for 3D Printing and Biovisualization at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the U.S. National Institutes of Health. Her work is dedicated to advancing bioscientific discovery and healthcare through interactive and immersive experiences.

At the center of that effort is the NIAID Biovisualization (BioViz) Lab, a resource that provides researchers with hardware, support, and scientific expertise for visualization of multi-dimensional datasets and 3D molecular and medical imaging data in immersive environments. The lab operates as a service to researchers and staff, but also serves as a sandbox for research and development in XR technologies and applications for research and healthcare.

Meghan oversees NIAID’s 3D printing service that provides researchers with tangible models of complex molecular and anatomical structures, as well as functional parts for laboratory use. Software products in her portfolio include PathogenAR, a mobile augmented reality app for exploration of infectious pathogens and diseases; and NIH 3D, a free, community-driven database of bioscientific and medical 3D models.

She is an advocate for open source software and design sharing and contributes to working groups dedicated to the improvement 3D data standards. She also participates in outreach initiatives promoting women and minorities in STEM. Meghan received a Doctorate in Biochemistry and a Master of Science in Biotechnology from University College Cork, Ireland.