Meet the chair

Cynthia Bir has served as chair of the Department of Biomedical Engineering since 2019. She is an internationally-renowned expert in human injury tolerances, with particular research interests in sports injury biomechanics, ballistic impacts, blast injury and forensic biomechanics. Several organizations have relied on her expertise, including the National Football League Engineering Committee. Bir was the lead scientist for ESPN's Sport Science winning a pair of Emmys and National Geographic's Fight Science. She continues to consult for a variety of science-based shows.

Bir has a B.S. in nursing from Nazareth College, an M.S. in bioengineering from the University of Michigan, and an M.S. in mechanical engineering as well as a Ph.D. in biomedical engineering from Wayne State University. She is a fellow of the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering and a member of the Wayne State University College of Engineering Hall of Fame.

Questions and answers

What are you looking forward to about the future of biomedical engineering?

The future of biomedical engineering at Wayne State looks to be very exciting. My goal as chair of the department is to make sure we identify the needs of our students and provide them with the best education possible. We are hiring faculty to expand into new research areas while complementing our existing efforts. We are working to upgrade our facilities, including the student labs. I am very excited about the future of the department.

Do you have a particular experience that has prepared you in your role as department chair?

Well, I raised four kids… just kidding. For those who may not know, I was a part of the faculty here at Wayne State from 2000 to 2013 before I left to go to University of Southern California. When I returned in 2019 as chair of the department, my attitude definitely had changed. I think my time away from Wayne State has allowed me to see the big picture and understand the need to work together as a team. The faculty need to be united to accomplish the goals of the department. The breadth and variety in the field of biomedical engineering makes this difficult at times; however, we have an amazing faculty group that I know can accomplish the task.

What has been your proudest moment in your career?

This is a difficult question to answer the first Ph.D. student to graduate under my mentorship, winning an Emmy for Sport Science, being asked to give a talk at TEDYouth, participating in the World Science Festival, seeing students I have mentored become top researchers in their fields, and many more!

If you were a current student, what would you do to maximize your success?

Reach out to faculty to see if you can work with them in their laboratories. Do not wait until the end of the semester if you are struggling in a class; find a tutor as soon as you realize you need help. Find a study group. Join a student organization that is in line with your interests. Volunteer with whatever service organization you feel connected to. Get involved.