Dr. Don Chaffin

Professor

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Biography

Back in the early 1960s, Don Chaffin spent a summer as a quality control engineer in a ball bearing plant. A freshly-minted graduate from General Motors Institute (now Kettering University), he supervised a team of women assembling ball bearings for military guidance systems. He observed the physical strain and fatigue that the workers experienced, which motivated him to collect data and eventually led him to be recognized as the 'Father of Occupational Biomechanics.' Chaffin's career laid the foundation for ergonomics, an interdisciplinary field that resolves conflicts between humans and systems. He founded the University of Michigan's Center for Ergonomics and directed research that educated thousands of professionals. Chaffin's research on the physical strains of work environments has contributed significantly to reducing workplace injuries. He also developed computerized models to predict the adverse effects of physical exertion, which are crucial in designing future workplaces. Chaffin is a fellow of several professional societies and has received numerous awards for his contributions to engineering and ergonomics.

Research Interests

Experience

Richard G. Snyder Distinguished University Professor Emeritus

1969-01-01 — Present

University of Michigan • Ann Arbor, MI

Served at the University of Michigan as a distinguished professor in the Department of Industrial Operations Engineering.

Awards

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Arch T. Colwell Award

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Kramer Award

#1983

Outstanding Engineering Alumnus Award

#1984

Attwood Distinguished Engineering Service Award

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Elected Fellow

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Elected Fellow

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Paul M. Fitts, Outstanding Educator Award

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David Baker, Outstanding Research Award

#

National Academy of Engineering

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Elected Honorary Lifetime Fellow

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Elected Fellow

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Doctor Honoris Causa Engineering

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R.G. Snyder Distinguished University Professorship

Requirements for University of Michigan

Master Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3.5
TOEFL
Total
Required:84
GRE General
Verbal
Required:155
Verbal Percentile
Required:50
Quantitative
Required:168
Quantitative Percentile
Required:50
Analytical Writing
Required:3.6
Writing Percentile
Required:50
Prerequisites
Bachelor degree in engineering, physics, or mathematics Calculus Physics
Application Checklist
  • Rackham Graduate School Application
  • Official Transcripts
  • 3 Letters of Recommendation
  • Academic Statement of Purpose
  • Personal Statement
  • CV/Resume
Specialization Notes

Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science