Eric J. Barth
Faculty Head
Hank Ingram House
Faculty head of Hank Ingram House Eric Barth is a professor of mechanical engineering and professor of neurological surgery. He teaches courses in automatic controls for robotics and mechatronic systems. His current research focuses on soft robots and MRI-compatible surgical robots. Soft robots are a new class of robots that are rubbery and are excellent at interacting with objects and people. With MRI-compatible robots, he is investigating the treatment of epilepsy by replacing open brain surgery with a robotically steered helical needle that is inserted through the cheek while being monitored by the MR scanner. Professor Barth grew up in Los Angeles and studied at UC Berkeley and Georgia Tech. He and his wife Helen Bird have identical twins, Nola and Kira, who are currently sophomores at the University of Miami and North Carolina State University. Three tuxedo cats live in the faculty apartment at Hank.
Professor Barth is dedicated to building a community in Hank that celebrates intellectual discovery and supports the personal growth and well-being of all residents.