Learn more about  associate professor John Eberth, why he loves teaching, Virginia Tech, and advice for students interested in biomedical engineering.

Why Virginia Tech? What do you love about VT?

Virginia Tech has a tremendous reputation in engineering, and I was drawn to the high-quality students and nourishing research environment. As a biomedical engineer with a background in mechanics, my lab is a natural fit here.

We also benefit from the diverse colleges and centers at VT and the resources they contain.

The stunning physical landscape of Blacksburg and the beautiful campus are a huge bonus!

What is your favorite thing about being a professor/faculty member?

Being able to engage deeply with topics that inspire me in cardiovascular engineering and medicine, and effectively communicating their value to funders, students, mentees, and collaborators. I’ve been very fortunate to work with some of the most outstanding researchers who not only believe in our lab’s mission but also consistently bring their unique contributions to projects. I am proud to see my trainees carry the skills they’ve gained in the lab into future successes.

What originally got you interested in your teaching/work and/or research?

I was really fortunate to start my professional career as a mechanical engineer in R&D, and I was inspired by my colleagues there to return to school for an advanced degree. The hard part was switching from mechanical to biomedical engineering, but what really appealed to me was that I could (and still do) learn something new every single day.

We’ve barely scratched the surface of understanding the human body, and I love how the principles taught to me in my engineering courses years ago can be applied to help improve human health. Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death worldwide, and I have the chance to make some people’s lives a little better.

What advice do you have for students looking to join the Biomedical Engineering  field?

Be persistent but flexible. In engineering terms, that quality is called “resilience.” Biomedical engineering can be challenging because biological systems are inherently variable, and we typically need large sample sizes for even our most basic studies.

Additionally, our products (devices, drugs, biologicals) are difficult to get to market because of the important but demanding regulatory landscape. That can be frustrating for a lot of people, especially early in their careers.

The upside of what we do, however, is huge, and even the small contributions can add to the bigger picture of improving human health. Also, take the time to learn the FDA regulatory process; it will be invaluable in your career.