MANUFACTURING AND STERILIZATION FOR COVID-19 
(MASC) Design, development, prototyping, testing, and validation to help win the fight. 
"In response to the ongoing pandemic, the Manufacturing and Sterilization for COVID-19 (MASC) Initiative was launched at Penn State in March 2020. With more than 350 researchers and counting contributing their expertise, the initiative is focused on designing and delivering rapidly scalable solutions and generating tangible impact, particularly within the commonwealth of Pennsylvania."                                                                                                  -MASC webpage​


PROJECT
Cloth Mask Making 
  • Coordinated the constructions & distribution of over 3500 masks
    • Cloth 2 ply masks patterns
    • Audiology mask patterns
    • Visors with enclosed hood for lab & performance patterns
  • Developed patterns, care, & safety instructions in conjunction with campus Emergency Health Services
  • Distributed masks from home pick-up point
    • Provided raw materials to stitchers
      • Soured/ procured fabric, elastic, needles, & thread
      • Pre-washed & bundled packages for no-contact pick up
    • Collected, inventoried & sterilized masks for distribution
    • Got the word out! 
    • Packaged masks into bundles of 2, 10, 25, & 100 for contactless pickup with care instructions upon request
    • Shipped masks to other CWC campuses & across the US
Surgical Gown Patterning & Development
  • Worked with Alyssa Ridder (MFA '19) to develop patterns digitally (PDFs via Adobe Illustrator) & paper patterns of surgical patterns
  • Smeal College of Business sourced & provided raw materials & manufacturers (both commercial & home sewers)
Masks for the Nittany Lion(s)
  • Patterned for an all weather mask on the Nittany Lion Shrine
  • Coordinated materials for Amanda Ferg, staff draper to construct mask
  • Patterned additional masks for the smaller shrines at Common Wealth Campuses (CWC)
    • Constructed initial prototype & sourced materials
    • Coordinated the hiring of alumni (Heather Hirvela, MFA '19) to produce 10+ CWC shrines across PA
Prototyped Respirator Hoods with ARI
Consultant on various MASC projects: Effects of makeup on masks, sterilization procedures, sourcing materials

MASC Marvel Award, Charlene Gross
"– for producing the digitized pattern and specifications for level III/IV surgical gowns that were facing a critical shortage while also sewing hundreds of cloth masks each week for use in the community"
COLLABORATOR(S)
Theatre faculty & staff: Richard St Clair, Laura Robinson, Amanda Ferg, Diane Toyos, Jay Lasnik
Graduate students: Tyler Phillips, Jessica Hill, Keagan Styes, & Alyssa Ridder; Faculty & staff from around Penn State @ University Park & Common Wealth Campuses, as well as community volunteers. 
MASC:
​James Crandall, Director, Environmental Health & Safety, PSU
Barry Fell, Consultant for the Department of Surgery, Hershey Medical Center
Sue Purdum, Associate Teaching Professor, Department Supply Chain & Information Systems, PSU
Charlie Tricou, Head of Lifecycle Engineering Department at PSU University Applied Research Laboratory

IN THE NEWS: 
Penn State School of Theatre uses leftover fabric to make masks for community

School of Theatre offers hand-sewn masks to University community
​
How COVID-19 opened time and space for interdisciplinary collaboration

The lion’s new look: Encouraging the campus community to 'Mask Up or Pack Up'