David Martin ’87
David Martin ’87 works for Dassault Systèmes, a software company that enables scientific collaboration and physically accurate modeling of the spike protein on Covid-19.
David’s role with Dassault Systèmes is to help students and educators use the system’s 3DEXPERIENCE platform. He shared, “So, essentially, my job is to help them accomplish amazing things.” While, this isn’t the only focus of the company, it is one with extreme importance at this time.
David described their work in regards to Covid-19 in this way:
Dassault Systèmes and their users are involved in nearly every aspect of the Covid-19 virus response. Researchers are using models of spike protein to investigate and test hypotheses in silico. They can literally run thousands of virtual simulations in the time it takes for a single test in a petri dish.
The amazing work extends well beyond molecules and virtual petri dishes. Researchers are using computational fluid dynamics to evaluate airborne viral spread to design better PPE. Many of these solutions are being manufactured and delivered in a matter of hours using additive manufacturing methods. Some of my colleagues used similar techniques to help the hospitals in Wuhan to prevent the uncontrolled spread of the virus. To replicate these amazing accomplishments, Dassault Systèmes has formed a global collaborative community. The people in this community have already managed to design and build a low cost ventilator in less than a week.
Knowing what is possible gives me confidence we will soon have solutions that will dramatically reduce the death rate.
There is an opportunity for others to join in this collaboration. Learn more.
Thank you to David for working behind the scenes to increase the knowledge of our scientific community and for alerting us to this amazing aspect of the response to the virus.