Cynthia Bir, Ph.D.
Professor

• E-mail: cbir@wayne.edu
• Tel:313-577-3830
• Education:
  • B.S. in Nursing, Nazareth College, Kalamazoo, MI, 1990
  • M.S. in Bioengineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 1992
  • M.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, 1999
  • Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, 2000
• Experience:
  • Assistant Professor, Research Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, 2000-2001
  • Assistant Professor, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, 2001-2005
  • Associate Chair, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, 2004-2006
  • Associate Professor, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 2005-Present
• Honors and awards:
  • Outstanding Junior Faculty, Academy of Scholars, Wayne State University, 2005
  • Outstanding Faculty Service Award, College of Engineering, Wayne State University, 2003, 2005
  • Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honor Society, 1999
  • Sigma Theta Tau Nursing Honor Society, 1997
  • Aiming for Excellence in Nursing Award, Nazareth College, 1990
  • Who's Who Among Collegiate Nursing Students, 1990
  • Borgess Service League Scholar, 1989-90
• Selected Publications:
  • Esquivel, A, Dawe, E, Sala-Mercado, J, Hammond, R, Bir, C, The Physiologic Effects of the Stinger ® Conducted Electrical Weapon in Swine, Annals of Emer Med, 2007 (doi:10.1016/j.annemergmed.2006.09.019)
  • Wilhelm, M, Bir, C, Injuries to Law Enforcement Officers: The Backface Signature Injury, Forensic Sci Int, 2007
  • Pellman, E, Viano, D, Withnall, C, Shewchenko, N, Bir, C, Halstead, D, Concussion in Professional Football: Helmet Testing to Assess Impact Performance--Part 11, Neurosurgery, 58(1), 2006, 78-96
  • Bir, C, Stewart, S, Wilhelm, M, Skin Penetration Assessment of Less Lethal Kinetic Energy Munitions, J of Forensic Science, 50(6), 2005, 1426-1429
  • Viano, D, Casson, I, Pellman, E, Bir, C, Zhang, L, Sherman, D, Boitano, M, Concussion in Professional Football: Comparison with Boxing Head Impacts--Part 10, Neurosurgery, 57(6), 2005, 1154-1172
  • Walilko, T, Viano, D, Bir, C, Biomechanics of the Head for Olympic Boxer Punches to the Face, Br J Sports Med, 39(10), 2005, 710-719
  • Walilko, T, Bir, C, Godwin, W, King, A, Relationship between Temporomandibular Joint Dynamics and Mouth Guards: Feasibility of a test methodology, Dental Traumatol , 20(5), 2004, 255-260
  • Bir, C, Viano, D, Design and Injury Assessment Criteria for Blunt Ballistic Impacts, J of Trauma, 57(6), 2004, 1218-1224
  • Bir, C, Viano, D, King, A, Development of Biomechanical Response Corridors of the Thorax to Blunt Ballistic Impacts, J Biomech, 37(1), 2004, 73-79
  • Viano, D, Bir, C, Walilko, T, Sherman, D, Ballistic Impact of the Forehead, Zygoma, and Mandible: Comparison of Human and Frangible Dummy Face Biomechanics, J of Trauma, 56(6), 2004, 1305 - 1311
  • Janda, D, Bir, C, Cheney, A, An Evaluation of the Cumulative Concussive Effect of Soccer Heading in the Youth Population, Int J of Inj Control and Safety Prom, 9(1), 2002, 25-31
  • Atkinson, P, Hariharan, P, Mari-Gowda, S, Telehowski, P, Martin, S, Van Hoof, J, Bir, C, Atkinson, T An Under-hand Steering Wheel Grasp Produces Significant Injury Risk to the Upper Extremity During Airbag Deployment, Annual Proc Assoc Adv Automot Med, 46, 2002, 45-62
  • Janda, D, Bir, C, Kedroske, B, A Comparison of Standard vs. Breakaway Bases: An Analysis of a Preventative Intervention for Softball and Baseball Foot and Ankle Injuries, Foot Ankle Int, 22(10), 2001, 810-816
  • Viano, D, Bir, C, Janda, D, Cheney, A, Prevention of Commotio Cordis in Baseball: An Evaluation of Chest Protectors, J of Trauma 49(12), 2000, 1023-1028
  • Bir, C, Viano, D, Biomechanical Predictor of Commotio Cordis in High-Speed Chest Impact, J of Trauma 47(3), 1999, 468-473
  • Armstrong, T, Bir, C, Foulke, J, Martin, B, Finsen, L, Sjogaard, G, Muscle Response to Simulated Torque Reactions of Hand-held Power Tools, Ergonomics 42(1), 1999, 146-159
  • Janda, D, Bir, C, Viano, D, Cassatta, S, Blunt Chest Impacts: Assessing the Relative Risk of Fatal Cardiac Injury from Various Baseballs, J of Trauma 44(2), 1998, 298-303
  • Werner, R, Armstrong, T, Bir, C, Aylard, M, Intracarpal Canal Pressures: The Role of Finger, Hand, Wrist, and Forearm Position, Clin Biomech, 12(1), 1997, 44-51
  • Janda, D, Bir, C, Hensinger, R, Wild, B, Olsen, S, Goal Post Injuries in Soccer - A Laboratory and Field Testing Analysis of a Preventative Intervention, Am J of Sports Med, 23(3), 1995, 340-344
  • Bir, C, Cassatta, S, Janda, D, An Analysis and Comparison of Soccer Shin Guards, Clin J of Sports Med, 5(2), 1995, 95-99
  • Werner, R, Bir, C, Armstrong, T, Reverse Phalen's Maneuver as an Aid in Diagnosing Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Archives of Phys Medand Rehab, 75, 1994, 783-786