Dr. Zimmers' research interests include analysis and design of industrial systems, agility applications in manufacturing and other business sectors, logistics and distribution systems, new techniques in multi-media and online distance learning, entrepreneurship, and leadership development. He serves as Director of Lehigh's Enterprise Systems Center (ESC). His research projects often involve collaboration among education, industry, and government partners to develop as well as implement new techniques.
Zimmers has served as principal investigator on more than 1000 research and technology transfer projects with over 400 industry partners. He has co-authored or been responsible for at least 76 papers and 288 technical reports, and is co-author, with Dr. Mikell P. Groover, of the widely adopted text and reference book CAD/CAM: Computer-Aided Design and Manufacturing. He serves as a Fellow of both the Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers and the Society of Manufacturing Engineers. He has been the recipient of Lehigh University's Alfred Noble Robinson Faculty Award for outstanding performance in service to the University as well as the Christian & Mary Lindback Award for Distinguished Teaching. He is responsible for courses in leadership development, computer integrated manufacturing, computer graphics, manufacturing problems, experimental industrial engineering as well as the senior capstone project course.
