Oral-History:Robert Mates
About Robert Mates
Dr. Robert Mates is a prominent researcher in the field of biomedical engineering. His areas of interest include cardiovascular modeling, control of cardiac output, coronary circulation, and rehabilitation of patients with neuromuscular diseases. Dr. Mates has been a member of the faculty of the University of Buffalo since he received his Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from Cornell University in 1963. He has served as Chair of the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering from 1967-70 and 1979-83, has founded the Center for Biomedical Engineering in 1989 (and continues to serve as its director), and is actively involved in the ASME, among other organizations.
This interview begins with a brief discussion of Dr. Mates’ background and his undergraduate education at the University of Rochester. It continues with an overview of his graduate work at Cornell University and his decision to join the faculty at the University of Buffalo. He discusses his early research in hypersonic aerodynamics, his work for NASA and the Air Force, and his decision to begin studies of heart disease and the physiology of the heart. Dr. Mates also describes his work with Fran Klocke and David Green, his use of instrumentation and models, the development of engineering science, his formation of the Center for Biomedical Engineering, and his work on the rehabilitation of neuromuscular diseases.
About the Interview
ROBERT MATES: An Interview Conducted by Frederik Nebeker, Center for the History of Electrical Engineering, 13 December 2000
Interview #278 for the Center for the History of Electrical Engineering, The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Inc., and Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
Copyright Statement
This manuscript is being made available for research purposes only. All literary rights in the manuscript, including the right to publish, are reserved to the IEEE History Center. No part of the manuscript may be quoted for publication without the written permission of the Director of IEEE History Center.
Request for permission to quote for publication should be addressed to the IEEE History Center Oral History Program, Rutgers - the State University, 39 Union Street, New Brunswick, NJ 08901-8538 USA. It should include identification of the specific passages to be quoted, anticipated use of the passages, and identification of the user.
It is recommended that this oral history be cited as follows:
Robert Mates, an oral history conducted in 2000 by Rik Nebeker, IEEE History Center, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA.
Interview
Interview: Robert Mates
Interviewer: Rik Nebeker
Date: 13 December 2000
Place: La Jolla, C.A.
