Donald R. Peterson, Ph.D.

Donald R. Peterson, Ph.D., NIU’s dean of the College of Engineering and Engineering Technology and mechanical engineering professor, was re-elected to a two-year term this month as chair of ASTM International’s exoskeletons and exosuits committee (F48). The committee’s task is to develop industry standards in the growing field of exoskeletons and exosuits.

An exoskeleton is a wearable device that can be powered or unpowered that, unlike a robot that is autonomous, can augment a human’s strength and/or capability. For example, it might allow a soldier to carry an extra 100 pounds of gear into battle. Or give a firefighter the ability to move a steel beam out of the way to rescue someone trapped in a building. These are just two real-life applications where exoskeletons are being used to augment a human strength. An exosuit, on the other hand, is made of soft material that bends with the body, and can also be powered or unpowered. Exosuits have been used to increase independence for people with mobility limitations, often referred to as a “wearable robot…Continue reading.

An accomplished researcher who straddles the line between engineering and medicine has been appointed the new dean of the NIU College of Engineering and Engineering Technology.

The NIU Board of Trustees appointed Donald Peterson, former dean of the College of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics at Texas A&M University-Texarkana, to the role May 18 after a nationwide search. He will begin work July 1.

Peterson is the third dean in the college’s history, and Executive Vice President and Provost Lisa Freeman said the university is fortunate to have attracted such a high-caliber candidate.

“Dr. Peterson is an accomplished scientist-administrator with demonstrated success transcending traditional disciplinary boundaries to build strong academic and research programs in areas of interest to NIU, including biomedical engineering,” Freeman said.

Peterson said he was attracted to NIU’s reputation for student-centered education and its focus on career readiness. He was impressed by the university’s simultaneous dedication to both teaching and research… Continue reading.

WASHINGTON, D.C.— The American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering (AIMBE) has announced the pending induction of Donald R. Peterson, Ph.D., Dean of the College of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, , Texas A&M University – Texarkana, to its College of Fellows. Dr. Peterson was nominated, reviewed, and elected by peers and members of the College of Fellows For outstanding contributions to biomedical engineering leadership, education, and community outreach, and for seminal research in human exposure and response.