Robert E. Baier
Affiliated Society: Society for Biomaterials
Country of Residence: USA
Current Position: Professor
Biography:
Baier is a Licensed Professional Engineer, also holding a PhD in Biophysics and specialty post-doctoral training in Surface Science. He has contributed over many years, since 1965, to development of successful implants ranging from substitute blood vessels and heart valves to osseointegrated dental implants. His current work extends to more versions of percutaneous implants and lubricated biological joints. Prior to his engineering degree, he was a Surgical Technician and operated one of the world’s first heart-lung machines on human patients.
Areas of research interest:
Baier has been Executive Director, since 1988 of a National Science Foundation-sponsored Industry/University Cooperative Research Center for Biosurfaces, solving interdisciplinary problems in a manner leading to new products in the marketplace. As an example, his current research is employing osseointegration technology that he developed with Swedish colleagues for the purpose of making through-the-skull portals for more successful hydrocephalus shunts. Baier is also leading efforts to expand successful biofilm-removal technology from dental plaque cleaning to removing infective deposits from catheters and restoring breathing ease to Cystic Fibrosis sufferers.
Research keywords:
Biomaterials and Medical Products Commercialization