Robert Bernhard was appointed vice president for research at the University of Notre Dame in 2007. In this role, he addresses infrastructure and support of research – the work of faculty, graduate and undergraduate students alike – and the competition for funding dollars. He also is responsible for the university's programs and stewardship of its strategic research initiatives. In addition to his role as vice president for research, Bernhard is a professor of aerospace and mechanical engineering and is one of the nation’s leading experts in noise control engineering.
Bernhard is a frequent consultant to industry and government, holds two patents and is a fellow of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. He is the president of the International Institute of Noise Control Engineering and is a fellow of the Acoustical Society of America. Bernhard serves on several industry and community-related boards including the Board of Directors of the Cummins Engine Co. and Conexus Indiana.
Bernhard is a graduate of Iowa State University and completed his master’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Maryland. He returned to his alma mater, Iowa State University, to complete his PhD in Engineering Mechanics.