College of Agriculture & Natural Resources School of Packaging

Cimberly Weir is a STEM educator, research strategist, and innovation connector with over 20 years of experience bridging academia and industry in the fields of packaging science and higher education. She is a Senior Academic Specialist at Michigan State University’s School of Packaging and a Ph.D. candidate in Higher, Adult, and Lifelong Education. Her work focuses on advancing research, fostering innovation ecosystems, and building cross-sector partnerships that shape the future of sustainable packaging and workforce development.

Cimberly plays a key role in major federal research proposals, including a recent $160M NSF Regional Innovation Engine submission aimed at accelerating circular economy systems and sustainable packaging solutions. Her scholarly interests include the integration of AI in teaching and research, the development of inclusive learning environments, and the emotional and physical safety of student interns in the workplace—particularly as it relates to Title IX awareness and compliance. She served as the Associate Director of the Center for Packaging Innovation and Sustainability, where she led the strategic expansion of the Center’s research portfolio and academic–industry collaborations in areas such as materials science, transportation logistics, and sustainability. In her current role, Cimberly also leads outreach and industry education programs for MSU’s School of Packaging, overseeing online certificate programs, custom corporate training, and research dissemination efforts that engage over 300 professionals annually. She manages long-standing relationships with industry stakeholders such as Eli Lilly, Amcor, Kraft Heinz, and The Home Depot, supporting both technical development and workforce education across the global packaging industry.

As an instructor, she teaches foundational undergraduate courses, including PKG 101: Principles of Packaging and PKG 102: Introductory Packaging Seminar, reaching over 200 students each year. She draws on her technical training as a graduate of the MSU School of Packaging and her educational leadership expertise developed through her master’s and doctoral work in the social sciences. Her teaching philosophy integrates real-world application, student-centered learning, and career development for future scientists and engineers.

Earlier in her career, Cimberly spent a decade as an expert in transport packaging and testing, working with global leaders in medical devices, pharmaceuticals, consumer goods, food and beverage, automotive, and cosmetics to improve packaging performance and supply chain resilience. She is an expert in ASTM and ISTA testing standards and a frequent guest lecturer for supply chain and logistics courses at MSU and Howard University.

Cimberly is a Past President of the West Michigan chapter of the Institute of Packaging Professionals (IoPP) and the MSU Packaging Alumni Association Executive Board. In 2008, she received the Outstanding Young Alumnus Award from MSU’s College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. She lives in East Lansing, Michigan, with her husband, two children, and a beloved flock of boutique chickens.