2026 Agenda Coming Soon

Participants gain practical, hands-on experience with these technologies, guided by experts who assist in navigating equipment operations. This unique event stands out, providing the opportunity for attendees to assess the operational capabilities of manufacturing technologies with a focus on defense use cases.

2026 Agenda Coming Soon

Joint Defense Advanced Manufacturing Meeting for Innovation and Transition Harrisburg, PA | 2026 Dates will be announced soon!

Dr. Kristin Schaaf

Deputy Director, Industrial Base Analysis and Sustainment (IBAS) Program

Dr. Kristin Schaaf currently serves as ICAM’s Deputy Director of the Industrial Base Analysis and Sustainment (IBAS) program. Dr. Schaaf utilizes broad IBAS authorities to enable a modernized defense industrial base that integrates traditional technology capabilities and emerging industrial sectors to respond at-will to national security requirements.

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Full Bio

Prior to this position, Dr. Schaaf served in various roles within the Department of Navy and her parent command, Naval Information Warfare Center Pacific (NIWC PAC), to include her most recent assignment as Chief Scientist for the Advanced Manufacturing Systems Team of Marine Corps Systems Command. During her tenure, Marine Corps Systems Command developed the first two Advanced Manufacturing Programs of Record within the Marine Corps as well as the greater Department of Defense (DoD). Previous assignments include her appointment to the Naval Innovation Advisory Council, Office of Strategy and Innovation, Deputy Under Secretary of the Navy Management, where she had the privilege of serving as an Advisor to the Secretary of the Navy and accelerating technology adoption through prototyping and experimentation in Fleet Concentration Areas. Additionally, Dr. Schaaf served as the Director of the Joint Advanced Manufacturing Region (JAMR) Integrated Product Team established under the Chief of Naval Operations Additive Manufacturing Executive Committee Charter.

With over fifteen years of experience spanning government and academia, Dr. Schaaf has successfully managed multiple research and development efforts, developing strategies and programs aimed at maturation of advanced technologies and manufacturing processes to reduce risk and cost, while improving system producibility, readiness, and resiliency. She is an active participant in numerous DoD and industry based advanced manufacturing forums. Dr. Schaaf holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from Tulane University as well as both a Master of Science degree and Doctor of Philosophy degree in Mechanical Engineering with a minor in Materials Science from the University of California, San Diego where she was a National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate Fellow.

Jason Lopes

CTO, Gentle Giant Studios

Jason Lopes is an internationally recognized 3D Printing and additive manufacturing expert, celebrated for his work on blockbuster films like Avatar, Iron Man, and Pacific Rim. Most recently as CTO of Gentle Giant Studios, he led technological innovation in digital production and advanced manufacturing. A dynamic keynote speaker, he inspires global audiences with his insights on technology, creativity, and the future of fabrication.

The Research Nexus Between Critical Materials and Advanced Manufacturing for National Security

We have three universities interested in being a part of our panel discussion which will focus on: “The Research Nexus Between Critical Materials and Advanced Manufacturing for National Security”. We can work with you to finalize the title of our panel, but this is what we’ve shared with the professors. Two of the schools are Penn State University and West Virginia University. Also, Virginia Tech is interested, but trying to work around a travel conflict. All have strong programs in critical minerals as well as an understanding of how these materials are relevant, and in fact essential, to advanced manufacturing for our national security.

From Penn State University, we have invited Professor Sarma V. Pisupati (Sarma V. Pisupati | Penn State Department of Energy and Mineral Engineering). We’ll have the names of the Professors from VT and WVU by Tuesday or Wednesday. If Virginia Tech can’t work out their travel conflict, then we’ll invite a different school. Once we have all of their names, we’ll share it with you to post and we’ll begin sharing it with our email list and on social media. Also, we’ll host a prep call before J-DAMMIT. We’ll invite you to the call too if you’re interested.