H. Mao

Assistant Professor

Ph.D. Biomedical Engineering Wayne State University
B.E.Sc. Mechanical Engineering Shanghai Jiao Tong University



Dr. Mao is an Assistant Professor and Canada Research Chair (CRC) Tier 2 in Head Mechanics. Prior to joining Western Engineering, Dr. Mao worked for four years as a Research Scientist to create a blast-induced traumatic brain injury (TBI) research program. He had three years of experience in the automotive industry as a Product Development Engineer (recipient of Chairman’s Merit Award) after obtaining a B.E.Sc. He then conducted PhD research on TBI at one of the world’s leading impact biomechanics research institutes, the Bioengineering Center of Wayne State University, where he continued his post-graduate research and accomplished several influential projects including developing the GHBMC (Global Human Body Models Consortium) head model. His recent research supported by the CRC is to understand the mechanisms of mild TBI and propose engineer solutions for better protecting the brain. 

Dr. Mao's research interests extend to impact and injury related topics. His group conducts research to improve active/passive safety of vehicles for better occupant/pedestrian safety during car crashes. His group also works on understanding pediatric biomechanics. The overarching theme is to apply mechanics and engineering principles to improve mechanical structures for better helping the human body.