News

YOUNGSTOWN, OH — The National Center for Defense Manufacturing and Machining (NCDMM), in collaboration with America Makes, is proud to announce the appointment of Megan Malara, Ph.D., as Director of the new Youngstown Innovation Hub for Aerospace and Defense.

Dr. Malara, a native of the Youngstown area, will lead the Hub’s mission to transform the Northeast Ohio region into a global center for advanced manufacturing innovation, workforce development, and economic growth. The initiative builds on America Makes’ decade-long legacy and more than $400M in federal additive manufacturing (AM) funding, serving as a national proving ground for next-generation technologies.

“Megan brings a powerful combination of technical expertise, policy experience, and industry leadership to this role,” said Jim Fisher, COO and Vice President at NCDMM. “Her vision and track record of impact will help us accelerate innovation at scale, strengthening defense supply chains, fueling workforce development, and positioning Youngstown as a national leader in advanced manufacturing.”

Previously, Dr. Malara served as Director of the Medical Modeling, Materials, and Manufacturing (M4) Division at The Ohio State University’s Center for Design and Manufacturing Excellence (CDME), where she led cross-disciplinary teams of engineers and clinicians to develop advanced manufacturing solutions for patient care. She also served as a Legislative Fellow in the U.S. Congress through the AAAS Science & Technology Policy Fellowship, addressing public health, STEM education, and healthcare financing.

Her leadership extends across the national materials and manufacturing community, including previous service on The Minerals, Metals and Materials Society’s (TMS) Public & Government Affairs Committee, training more than 200 students in science communication during Congressional Visit Days, and advising the Society of Manufacturing Engineers’ (SME) Healthcare Additive Manufacturing Technical Community.

The Youngstown Innovation Hub is supported by $26M from Ohio’s Innovation Hubs Program, established by Governor Mike DeWine to expand innovation-driven economic growth beyond Ohio’s largest metro areas. Modeled after the successful Innovation Districts in Cleveland, Cincinnati, and Columbus, the program combines academic, industry, government, and nonprofit partners to spur high-tech development in regions such as  Youngstown. With an additional $36 million in local, federal, and private investment, the Hub is positioned as a cornerstone of Ohio’s statewide innovation strategy.

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine praised the effort and stated, “Building on the region’s deep manufacturing roots, Youngstown has spent the last decade establishing itself as a leader in the research, development, and commercialization of additive technology. With support from the Ohio Innovation Hubs Program, partners will now have added capacity to drive critical advancements in the defense and aerospace industries by transforming the way military equipment is made and strengthening our country’s national defense supply chains.”

By 2029, the Hub is projected to generate $161.6M in economic output, create 450 high-quality jobs, and deliver 185 STEM credentials and 40 internships, establishing Youngstown as a vital engine of U.S. industrial competitiveness.

At its core, the Hub will deliver:

• Local impact: Retaining scaling firms, attracting startups, and creating career pathways.
• National strength: Modernizing defense supply chains and accelerating aerospace innovation.
• Global reach: Extending Ohio’s AM leadership into energy, automotive, medical, and construction sectors.

 “What begins in Youngstown is shaping the future of American manufacturing,” said Dr. Malara. “I am honored to lead this effort to advance innovation, create opportunities for our workforce, and drive impact for our community, our state, and our nation.”