Dr. Shawn Swanson is an innovation strategist and educator with over a decade of experience advancing technologies across healthcare, government, and academia. He holds a PhD in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Washington, with a specialization in applying artificial intelligence to complex systems in healthcare and defense.

As faculty at the University of Washington, Dr. Swanson leads the Engineering Innovation in Health program, guiding interdisciplinary teams through biodesign methodologies to transform unmet clinical needs into viable technologies. His work sits at the intersection of engineering, AI, and healthcare delivery.

Previously, Dr. Swanson served as an Innovation Leader at AFWERX, where he co-founded SparkLab and delivered global training in design thinking and biodesign to Air Force personnel. He has mentored more than 100 startups and facilitated innovation workshops that empower professionals to solve high-stakes challenges with creative precision.