- Lab Manager
Department of Mechanical Engineering and Marterials Science – WashU Medicine
Barbara Semar works closely with a wide range of people at WashU. In her department’s shared research facilities and teaching labs, she interreacts with everyone from undergraduate and graduate students to postdoctoral researchers, staff and faculty. In her role as lab manager for the Department of Mechanical Engineering & Materials Science (MEMS), her work also includes leading safety efforts and fostering a strong sense of community within MEMS.
People are at the core of Semar’s work, who has been with WashU since 2020. She is motivated by the colleagues she supports and by knowing her role contributes directly to their success and to the university’s broader mission.
“Whether I am training a new graduate student in an experimental technique, maintaining equipment in an undergraduate lab or bringing our research community together to share experiences and safety resources, I know that my work contributes to the university’s missions to advance research, teaching and learning,” Semar said.
Semar values being part of a department with state-of-the-art research and teaching facilities. She also appreciates MEMS’s culture that encourages collaboration, growth and innovation. She finds fulfillment in both the work itself and the people she works alongside.
Whether I am training a new graduate student in an experimental technique, maintaining equipment in an undergraduate lab or bringing our research community together to share experiences and safety resources, I know that my work contributes to the university’s missions to advance research, teaching and learning.
Barbara Semar, lab manager
Outside the lab, Semar enjoys spending time with family and friends, sharing meaningful conversations and laughter, listening to music, drinking coffee and being outdoors.
“On the best days of my life,” Semar said, “I get to enjoy all of those things at once.”