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Melanie J. Ecker

Title: Assistant Professor

Department: Biomedical Engineering

College: College of Engineering

Curriculum Vitae

Curriculum Vitae Link

Education

  • PhD, Freie Universität Berlin, 2015
    Major: Natural Sciences
    Specialization: Chemistry
    Dissertation: Development, characterization and durability of switchable information carriers based on shape memory polymers
  • Diploma (International), Freie Universität Berlin, 2010
    Major: Chemistry
    Dissertation: Sequence-defined insertion of anionic groups into linear and monodisperse poly(amidomines)

Current Scheduled Teaching

BMEN 3321.001BiomaterialsSpring 2025
BMEN 5900.002Special Problems in Biomedical EngineeringSpring 2025
BMEN 6940.001Biomedical Engineering Doctoral SeminarFall 2024
BMEN 5940.001Biomedical Engineering SeminarFall 2024
BMEN 5316.001Biopolymers and Flexible BioelectronicsFall 2024
BMEN 3996.002Honors College Mentored Research ExperienceFall 2024
BMEN 6910.002Individual ResearchFall 2024
BMEN 5900.002Special Problems in Biomedical EngineeringFall 2024

Previous Scheduled Teaching

BMEN 6950.002Biomedical Engineering Doctoral DissertationSummer 10W 2024
BMEN 3321.001BiomaterialsSpring 2024 Syllabus SPOT
BMEN 6950.002Biomedical Engineering Doctoral DissertationSpring 2024
BMEN 3996.001Honors College Mentored Research ExperienceSpring 2024
BMEN 5900.002Special Problems in Biomedical EngineeringSpring 2024
BMEN 5321.001Biomaterials CompatibilityFall 2023 SPOT
BMEN 6950.002Biomedical Engineering Doctoral DissertationFall 2023
BMEN 5900.002Special Problems in Biomedical EngineeringFall 2023
BMEN 5900.003Special Problems in Biomedical EngineeringSummer 10W 2023
BMEN 3321.001BiomaterialsSpring 2023 Syllabus SPOT
BMEN 6950.002Biomedical Engineering Doctoral DissertationSpring 2023
BMEN 5900.002Special Problems in Biomedical EngineeringSpring 2023
BMEN 6950.002Biomedical Engineering Doctoral DissertationFall 2022
BMEN 5316.001Biopolymers and Flexible BioelectronicsFall 2022 SPOT
BMEN 5950.011Master's ThesisFall 2022
BMEN 2900.011Special Problems in Biomedical EngineeringFall 2022
BMEN 5950.003Master's ThesisSummer 10W 2022
BMEN 5900.003Special Problems in Biomedical EngineeringSummer 10W 2022
BMEN 3321.001BiomaterialsSpring 2022 Syllabus SPOT
BMEN 6950.002Biomedical Engineering Doctoral DissertationSpring 2022
BMEN 5900.002Special Problems in Biomedical EngineeringSpring 2022
BMEN 5321.001Biomaterials CompatibilityFall 2021 Syllabus SPOT
BMEN 6950.002Biomedical Engineering Doctoral DissertationFall 2021
BMEN 3996.002Honors College Mentored Research ExperienceFall 2021
BMEN 6910.002Individual ResearchFall 2021
BMEN 5900.002Special Problems in Biomedical EngineeringFall 2021
BMEN 5900.600Special Problems in Biomedical EngineeringFall 2021
BMEN 3996.001Honors College Mentored Research ExperienceSummer 10W 2021
BMEN 5950.003Master's ThesisSummer 10W 2021
BMEN 5950.003Master's ThesisSummer 5W2 2021
BMEN 5900.003Special Problems in Biomedical EngineeringSummer 10W 2021
BMEN 3321.001BiomaterialsSpring 2021 Syllabus SPOT
BMEN 3321.701BiomaterialsSpring 2021
MEEN 6940.714Individual ResearchSpring 2021
MTSE 6940.046Individual ResearchSpring 2021
MTSE 6940.047Individual ResearchSpring 2021
MTSE 6940.048Individual ResearchSpring 2021
BMEN 5950.002Master's ThesisSpring 2021
BMEN 2900.002Special Problems in Biomedical EngineeringSpring 2021
BMEN 5900.002Special Problems in Biomedical EngineeringSpring 2021
BMEN 5321.001Biomaterials CompatibilityFall 2020 SPOT
MTSE 6940.043Individual ResearchFall 2020
MTSE 6940.044Individual ResearchFall 2020
MTSE 6940.045Individual ResearchFall 2020
BMEN 5950.002Master's ThesisFall 2020
BMEN 2900.002Special Problems in Biomedical EngineeringSummer 10W 2020
MTSE 6940.046Individual ResearchSpring 2020
MTSE 6940.047Individual ResearchSpring 2020
BMEN 5950.004Master's ThesisSpring 2020
BMEN 2900.005Special Problems in Biomedical EngineeringSpring 2020
BMEN 5810.002Topics in Biomedical EngineeringSpring 2020
BMEN 5321.001Biomaterials CompatibilityFall 2019 Syllabus SPOT
MEEN 6940.714Individual ResearchFall 2019
MTSE 6940.043Individual ResearchFall 2019
MTSE 6940.044Individual ResearchFall 2019

Published Intellectual Contributions

    Abstracts and Proceedings

  • Ecker, M.J. (2017). Characterization of a thiol-ene/acrylate-based polymer for neuroprosthetic implants. ABSTRACTS OF PAPERS OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY. http://gateway.webofknowledge.com/gateway/Gateway.cgi?GWVersion=2&SrcAuth=ORCID&SrcApp=OrcidOrg&DestLinkType=FullRecord&DestApp=WOS_CPL&KeyUT=WOS:000430569108224&KeyUID=WOS:000430569108224
  • Ecker, M.J. (2017). Effects of sterilization on self-softening thiol-ene/acrylate polymers for bioelectronics. ABSTRACTS OF PAPERS OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY. 253 http://gateway.webofknowledge.com/gateway/Gateway.cgi?GWVersion=2&SrcAuth=ORCID&SrcApp=OrcidOrg&DestLinkType=FullRecord&DestApp=WOS_CPL&KeyUT=WOS:000430569107452&KeyUID=WOS:000430569107452
  • Ecker, M.J. (2017). Self-softening shape memory polymers as a substrate for bioelectronic devices. ABSTRACTS OF PAPERS OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY. 254 http://gateway.webofknowledge.com/gateway/Gateway.cgi?GWVersion=2&SrcAuth=ORCID&SrcApp=OrcidOrg&DestLinkType=FullRecord&DestApp=WOS_CPL&KeyUT=WOS:000429525600078&KeyUID=WOS:000429525600078
  • Ecker, M.J. (2016). Understanding the material properties of implantable shape memory polymers with tunable degree of softening. ABSTRACTS OF PAPERS OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY. http://gateway.webofknowledge.com/gateway/Gateway.cgi?GWVersion=2&SrcAuth=ORCID&SrcApp=OrcidOrg&DestLinkType=FullRecord&DestApp=WOS_CPL&KeyUT=WOS:000431460404525&KeyUID=WOS:000431460404525
  • Book Chapter

  • Oliver, J., Akande, O., Ecker, M. (2021). Incorporation of novel elements in bioactive glass compositions to enhance implant performance. Bioactive Glass - Recent Advances, New Perspectives and Applications. London, IntechOpen. https://www.intechopen.com/online-first/77966
  • Ecker, M.J., Pretsch, T. (2014). Freely configurable Functionalization Tool for switchable Information Carriers. Materials Challenges and Testing for Manufacturing, Mobility, Biomedical Applications and Climate. 25-35. Springer International Publishing. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-11340-1_3
  • Conference Proceeding

  • Duran-Martinez, A.C., Hosseini, S., Del Nero, D., Joshi-Imre, A., Voit, W.E., Ecker, M.J. (2019). Thermoset Polymers for Bioelectronic Interfaces-Engineering of Thermomechanical Properties. 2019 IEEE 69th Electronic Components and Technology Conference (ECTC). 1258--1265.
  • Ecker, M.J., Pretsch, T. (2013). DURABILITY OF QR CODE CARRIERS BASED ON SHAPE MEMORY POLYMER. Other. http://gateway.webofknowledge.com/gateway/Gateway.cgi?GWVersion=2&SrcAuth=ORCID&SrcApp=OrcidOrg&DestLinkType=FullRecord&DestApp=WOS_CPL&KeyUT=WOS:000324504000013&KeyUID=WOS:000324504000013
  • Journal Article

  • Hu, Q., Williams, S.L., Palladino, A., Ecker, M.J. (2024). Screening of MMP-13 Inhibitors Using a GelMA-Alginate Interpenetrating Network Hydrogel-Based Model Mimicking Cytokine-Induced Key Features of Osteoarthritis In Vitro. Polymers. 16 (11) https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/16/11/1572
  • Hu, Q., Torres, M.A., Pan, H., Williams, S.L., Ecker, M.J. (2024). Precision Engineering of Chondrocyte Microenvironments: Investigating the Optimal Reaction Conditions for Type B Gelatin Methacrylate Hydrogel Matrix for TC28a2 Cells. Other. 15 (3) https://www.mdpi.com/2079-4983/15/3/77
  • González-González, M.A., Conde, S.V., Latorre, R., Thébault, S.C., Pratelli, M., Spitzer, N.C., Verkhratsky, A., Tremblay, M., Akcora, C.G., Hernández-Reynoso, A.G., Ecker, M.J., Coates, J., Vincent, K.L., Ma, B. (2024). Bioelectronic Medicine: a multidisciplinary roadmap from biophysics to precision therapies. Other. 18 https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnint.2024.1321872
  • Fouladgar, F., Moslabeh, F.G., Kasani, Y.V., Rogozinski, N., Torres, M., Ecker, M.J., Yang, H., Yang, Y., Habibi, N. (2024). Mesenchymal stem cells aligned and stretched in self-assembling peptide hydrogels. Other. 10 (1) e23953. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405844023111613
  • Chitrakar, C., Torres, M.A., Rocha Flores, P.E., Hu, Q., Ecker, M.J. (2023). Multifaceted Shape Memory Polymer Technology for Biomedical Application: Combining Self-Softening and Stretchability properties. Other. 15 4226. MDPI.
  • Rocha-Flores, P.E., Guerrero, E., Rodríguez-Lopez, O., Chitrakar, C., Parikh, A., Pancrazio, J.J., Cogan, S.F., Ecker, M., Voit, W.E. (2023). Softening and Flexible Hybrid Electronics Integration for Biomedical Applications. MRS Communications.
  • Cortés-Guzmán, K.P., Parikh, A.R., Sparachin, M.L., Johnson, R.M., Adegoke, L., Ecker, M.J., Voit, W.E., Smaldone, R.A. (2023). Thermal annealing effects on the mechanical properties of bio-based 3D printed thermosets. Polymer Chemistry. RSC.
  • Suzuki, Y., Hu, Q., Batchelor, B., Voit, W., Ecker, M.J. (2022). Thermo/hydration responsive shape memory polymers with enhanced hydrophilicity for biomedical applications. Smart Materials and Structures. 32 (1) 015006. https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1361-665X/aca576
  • Cortés-Guzmán, K., Parikh, A., Sparacin, M., Remy, A., Adegoke, L., Chitrakar, C., Ecker, M.J., Voit, W., Smaldone, R. (2022). Recyclable, Biobased Photoresins for 3D Printing through Dynamic Imine Exchange. ACS Sustainable Chemistry and Engineering. 10 13091-13099.
  • Chitrakar, C., Hedrick, E., Adegoke, L., Ecker, M. (2022). Flexible and Stretchable Bioelectronics. Materials. 15 (5) 1664. MDPI. https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/15/5/1664
  • Jagdale, S., Hu, Q., Ecker, M., Kumar, G. (2021). Biocompatibility and thermoplastic formability of Pt-based metallic glasses. Materials Letters. 295 (2021) 129870. Elsevier. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0167577X21005668?via%3Dihub
  • Hu, Q., Ecker, M. (2021). Overview of MMP-13 as a promising target for the treatment of osteoarthritis. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 22 (4) 1742. MDPI. https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/22/4/1742
  • Fang, A.H., Chao, W., Ecker, M.J. (2020). Review of Colonic Anastomotic Leakage and Prevention Methods. Other. 9 (12) 4061. MDPI AG. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/jcm9124061
  • Guerrero, E., Polednik, A., Ecker, M.J., Joshi-Imre, A., Choi, W., Gutierrez-Heredia, G., Voit, W.E., Maeng, J. (2020). Indium–Gallium–Zinc Oxide Schottky Diodes Operating across the Glass Transition of Stimuli-Responsive Polymers. Other. 20 (4) 1901210. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/aelm.201901210
  • Bettinger, C.J., Ecker, M.J., Yoshida Kozai, T.D., Malliaras, G.G., Meng, E., Voit, W. (2020). Recent advances in neural interfaces—Materials chemistry to clinical translation. Other. 45 (8) 655--668. Cambridge University Press. https://www.cambridge.org/core/article/recent-advances-in-neural-interfacesmaterials-chemistry-to-clinical-translation/EDA40C00791A9F655E36A342242BC6D8
  • Zátonyi, A., Orbán, G., Modi, R., Márton, G., Meszéna, D., Ulbert, I., Pongrácz, A., Ecker, M.J., Voit, W.E., Joshi-Imre, A., Fekete, Z. (2019). A softening laminar electrode for recording single unit activity from the rat hippocampus. Scientific Reports. 9 (1) Springer Nature. http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-39835-6
  • Frewin, C.L., Ecker, M.J., Joshi-Imre, A., Kamgue, J., Waddell, J., Danda, V.R., Stiller, A.M., Voit, W.E., Pancrazio, J.J. (2019). Electrical Properties of Thiol-ene-based Shape Memory Polymers Intended for Flexible Electronics. Other. 11 (5) 902. MDPI AG. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/polym11050902
  • Hosseini, S., Voit, W.E., Ecker, M. (2019). Environmental Dynamic Mechanical Analysis to Predict the Softening Behavior of Neural Implants. Journal of Visualized Experiments. (145) e59209. Richardson, 800 West Campbell Road, BSB 13
  • Shoffstall, A.J., Srinivasan, S., Willis, M., Stiller, A.M., Ecker, M.J., Voit, W.E., Pancrazio, J.J., Capadona, J.R. (2018). A Mosquito Inspired Strategy to Implant Microprobes into the Brain. Scientific Reports. 8 (1) Springer Nature. http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41598-017-18522-4
  • González-González, M.A., Kanneganti, A., Joshi-Imre, A., Hernandez-Reynoso, A.G., Bendale, G., Modi, R., Ecker, M.J., Khurram, A., Cogan, S.F., Voit, W.E., Romero-Ortega, M.I. (2018). Thin Film Multi-Electrode Softening Cuffs for Selective Neuromodulation. Scientific Reports. 8 (1) Springer Nature. http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41598-018-34566-6
  • Ecker, M.J., Joshi-Imre, A., Modi, R., Frewin, C.L., Garcia-Sandoval, A., Maeng, J., Gutierrez-Heredia, G., Pancrazio, J.J., Voit, W.E. (2018). From softening polymers to multimaterial based bioelectronic devices. Other. 2 (1) 012001. IOP Publishing. http://dx.doi.org/10.1088/2399-7532/aaed58
  • Hosseini, S.M., Rihani, R., Batchelor, B., Stiller, A.M., Pancrazio, J.J., Voit, W.E., Ecker, M.J. (2018). Softening Shape Memory Polymer Substrates for Bioelectronic Devices With Improved Hydrolytic Stability. Other. 5 Frontiers Media SA. http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fmats.2018.00066
  • Bedell, H.W., Song, S., Li, X., Molinich, E., Lin, S., Stiller, A., Danda, V., Ecker, M.J., Shoffstall, A.J., Voit, W.E., Pancrazio, J.J., Capadona, J. (2018). Understanding the Effects of Both CD14-Mediated Innate Immunity and Device/Tissue Mechanical Mismatch in the Neuroinflammatory Response to Intracortical Microelectrodes. Frontiers in Neuroscience. https://www.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fnins.2018.00772
  • Black, B.J., Ecker, M.J., Stiller, A., Rihani, R., Danda, V., Reed, I., , W.E., Pancrazio, J.J. (2018). In vitro compatibility testing of thiol-ene/acrylate-based shape memory polymers for use in implantable neural interfaces. Journal of Biomedical Materials Research Part A. 106 (11) 2891-2898. Wiley. http://gateway.webofknowledge.com/gateway/Gateway.cgi?GWVersion=2&SrcAuth=ORCID&SrcApp=OrcidOrg&DestLinkType=FullRecord&DestApp=WOS_CPL&KeyUT=WOS:000450305800010&KeyUID=WOS:000450305800010
  • Stiller, A., Usoro, J., Frewin, C., Danda, V., Ecker, M.J., Joshi-Imre, A., Musselman, K., Voit, W., Modi, R., Pancrazio, J., Black, B. (2018). Chronic Intracortical Recording and Electrochemical Stability of Thiol-ene/Acrylate Shape Memory Polymer Electrode Arrays. Other. 9 (10) 500. MDPI AG. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/mi9100500
  • Shoffstall, A., Ecker, M.J., Danda, V., Joshi-Imre, A., Stiller, A., Yu, M., Paiz, J., Mancuso, E., Bedell, H., Voit, W., Pancrazio, J., Capadona, J. (2018). Characterization of the Neuroinflammatory Response to Thiol-ene Shape Memory Polymer Coated Intracortical Microelectrodes. Other. 9 (10) 486. MDPI AG. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/mi9100486
  • Do, D., Ecker, M.J., Voit, W.E. (2017). Characterization of a Thiol-Ene/Acrylate-Based Polymer for Neuroprosthetic Implants. ACS Omega. 2 (8) 4604-4611. American Chemical Society (ACS). http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/acsomega.7b00834
  • Ecker, M.J., Danda, V., Shoffstall, A.J., Mahmood, S.F., Joshi-Imre, A., Frewin, C.L., Ware, T.H., Capadona, J.R., Pancrazio, J.J., Voit, W.E. (2017). Sterilization of Thiol-ene/Acrylate Based Shape Memory Polymers for Biomedical Applications. Other. 302 (2) 1600331. Wiley. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/mame.201600331
  • Reit, R., Abitz, H., Reddy, N., Parker, S., Wei, A., Aragon, N., Ho, M., Wittenhiller, A., Kang, T., Ecker, M.J., Voit, W. (2016). Thiol-epoxy/maleimide ternary networks as softening substrates for flexible electronics. Other. http://gateway.webofknowledge.com/gateway/Gateway.cgi?GWVersion=2&SrcAuth=ORCID&SrcApp=OrcidOrg&DestLinkType=FullRecord&DestApp=WOS_CPL&KeyUT=WOS:000382115500004&KeyUID=WOS:000382115500004
  • Ecker, M.J., Pretsch, T. (2014). Multifunctional poly(ester urethane) laminates with encoded information. RSC Advances. 4 (1) 286-292. https://doi.org/10.1039/C3RA45651J
  • Ecker, M.J., Pretsch, T. (2014). Novel design approaches for multifunctional information carriers. RSC Advances. 4 (87) 46680-46688. https://doi.org/10.1039/C4RA08977D
  • Ecker, M.J., Pretsch, T. (2013). Durability of switchable QR code carriers under hydrolytic and photolytic conditions. Smart Materials and Structures. 22 (9) 094005. https://doi.org/10.1088/0964-1726/22/9/094005
  • Pretsch, T., Ecker, M.J., Schildhauer, M., Maskos, M. (2012). Switchable information carriers based on shape memory polymer. Journal of Materials Chemistry. 22 (16) 7757-7766. https://doi.org/10.1039/C2JM16204K

Contracts, Grants and Sponsored Research

    Contract

  • Ecker, M., "Submersion DMA measurements," sponsored by Qualia Oto Inc., Local, $3600 Funded. (2020 - 2020).
  • Grant - Research

  • Ecker, M.J. (Principal), "CAREER: Shape Memory Polymers as Biomaterial," sponsored by National Science Foundation, Federal, $553036 Funded. (2023 - 2028).
  • Xiao, Y. (Principal), Lin, Y., Neu, J. (Co-Principal), Kelber, J.A. (Co-Principal), Ecker, M.J. (Co-Principal), "Understanding Infrared Materials with Optical Ellipsometry," sponsored by Department of Defense (DoD) Research and Education Program for Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Minority-Serving Institutions Equipment/Instrumentation Program, Federal, $258000 Funded. (2024 - 2025).
  • Ecker, M.J. (Co-Principal), Omary, M.A. (Co-Principal), "Hydrophobic Enhancement of Luminescence Quantum Yield in Novel DNA Metallo-Intercalators: Toward Concomitant Bioimaging/Therapeutic Apps," sponsored by UNT COS-CENG Seed Funding, University of North Texas, $10000 Funded. (2024 - 2025).
  • Ecker, M.J. (Principal), "Center of Functional Materials (CFM) Research Award," sponsored by University of North Texas, University of North Texas, $3000 Funded. (2024 - 2024).
  • Neu, J. (Co-Principal), Ecker, M.J. (Principal), "Understanding the Structure-Property Relationship of Shape Memory Polymers through Terahertz Spectroscopy," sponsored by COS+CENG+VP Research, University of North Texas, $10000 Funded. (2023 - 2024).
  • Ecker, M.J. (Principal), "Thiol-clickable gelatin-based hydrogels for 3D cell cultures," sponsored by UNT - AMMPI, University of North Texas, $6000 Funded. (2022 - 2023).
  • Berman, D. (Co-Principal), Ecker, M. (Co-Principal), Cundari, T.R. (Co-Principal), Kelber, J.A. (Co-Principal), "Metal Oxynitrides as Biocompatible Coatings for Medical Device Applications," sponsored by COS-CENG, University of North Texas, $10000 Funded. (2021 - 2022).
  • Grant - Service

  • Ecker, M.J. (Principal), "Submersion DMA measurements," sponsored by Qualia Oto, Inc., IND, Funded. (2020 - 2021).
  • Sponsored Research

  • Ecker, M.J., "Unrestricted Gift," sponsored by Private Donor, Private, $5000 Funded. (2022).
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Overall
Summative Rating
Challenge and
Engagement Index
Response Rate

out of 5

out of 7
%
of
students responded
  • Overall Summative Rating (median):
    This rating represents the combined responses of students to the four global summative items and is presented to provide an overall index of the class’s quality. Overall summative statements include the following (response options include a Likert scale ranging from 5 = Excellent, 3 = Good, and 1= Very poor):
    • The course as a whole was
    • The course content was
    • The instructor’s contribution to the course was
    • The instructor’s effectiveness in teaching the subject matter was
  • Challenge and Engagement Index:
    This rating combines student responses to several SPOT items relating to how academically challenging students found the course to be and how engaged they were. Challenge and Engagement Index items include the following (response options include a Likert scale ranging from 7 = Much higher, 4 = Average, and 1 = Much lower):
    • Do you expect your grade in this course to be
    • The intellectual challenge presented was
    • The amount of effort you put into this course was
    • The amount of effort to succeed in this course was
    • Your involvement in course (doing assignments, attending classes, etc.) was
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