Faculty Profile

Melanie Ecker

Title
Assistant Professor
Department
Biomedical Engineering
College
College of Engineering

    

    

      


                          

            
Curriculum Vitae

            

              Click Here to View Faculty CV
            

          

        
                          

            
Education

            



  

  


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





          

        
                

          
Current Scheduled Teaching*


          
BMEN 3996.001, Honors College Mentored Research Experience, Summer 2024 
BMEN 3321.001, Biomaterials, Spring 2024 Syllabus
BMEN 6950.002, Biomedical Engineering Doctoral Dissertation, Spring 2024 
BMEN 3996.001, Honors College Mentored Research Experience, Spring 2024 
BMEN 5900.002, Special Problems in Biomedical Engineering, Spring 2024 


          
*
  Texas Education Code 51.974 (HB 2504) requires each institution of
  higher education to make available to the public, a syllabus for
  undergraduate lecture courses offered for credit by the institution.
  

        

      

    

  


    

    

      


        


          


            
Previous Scheduled Teaching*


            
                    

                    BMEN 5321.001, Biomaterials Compatibility, Fall 2023  SPOT
                    

                    BMEN 6950.002, Biomedical Engineering Doctoral Dissertation, Fall 2023 
                    

                    BMEN 5900.002, Special Problems in Biomedical Engineering, Fall 2023 
                    

                    BMEN 5900.003, Special Problems in Biomedical Engineering, Summer 10W 2023 
                    

                    BMEN 3321.001, Biomaterials, Spring 2023 Syllabus SPOT
                    

                    BMEN 6950.002, Biomedical Engineering Doctoral Dissertation, Spring 2023 
                    

                    BMEN 5900.002, Special Problems in Biomedical Engineering, Spring 2023 
                    

                    BMEN 6950.002, Biomedical Engineering Doctoral Dissertation, Fall 2022 
                    

                    BMEN 5316.001, Biopolymers and Flexible Bioelectronics, Fall 2022  SPOT
                    

                    BMEN 5950.011, Master's Thesis, Fall 2022 
                    

                    BMEN 2900.011, Special Problems in Biomedical Engineering, Fall 2022 
                    

                    BMEN 5950.003, Master's Thesis, Summer 10W 2022 
                    

                    BMEN 5900.003, Special Problems in Biomedical Engineering, Summer 10W 2022 
                    

                    BMEN 3321.001, Biomaterials, Spring 2022 Syllabus SPOT
                    

                    BMEN 6950.002, Biomedical Engineering Doctoral Dissertation, Spring 2022 
                    

                    BMEN 5900.002, Special Problems in Biomedical Engineering, Spring 2022 
                    

                    BMEN 5321.001, Biomaterials Compatibility, Fall 2021 Syllabus SPOT
                    

                    BMEN 6950.002, Biomedical Engineering Doctoral Dissertation, Fall 2021 
                    

                    BMEN 3996.002, Honors College Mentored Research Experience, Fall 2021 
                    

                    BMEN 6910.002, Individual Research, Fall 2021 
                    

                    BMEN 5900.002, Special Problems in Biomedical Engineering, Fall 2021 
                    

                    BMEN 5900.600, Special Problems in Biomedical Engineering, Fall 2021 
                    

                    BMEN 3996.001, Honors College Mentored Research Experience, Summer 10W 2021 
                    

                    BMEN 5950.003, Master's Thesis, Summer 10W 2021 
                    

                    BMEN 5950.003, Master's Thesis, Summer 5W2 2021 
                    

                    BMEN 5900.003, Special Problems in Biomedical Engineering, Summer 10W 2021 
                    

                    BMEN 3321.001, Biomaterials, Spring 2021 Syllabus SPOT
                    

                    BMEN 3321.701, Biomaterials, Spring 2021 
                    

                    MEEN 6940.714, Individual Research, Spring 2021 
                    

                    MTSE 6940.046, Individual Research, Spring 2021 
                    

                    MTSE 6940.047, Individual Research, Spring 2021 
                    

                    MTSE 6940.048, Individual Research, Spring 2021 
                    

                    BMEN 5950.002, Master's Thesis, Spring 2021 
                    

                    BMEN 2900.002, Special Problems in Biomedical Engineering, Spring 2021 
                    

                    BMEN 5900.002, Special Problems in Biomedical Engineering, Spring 2021 
                    

                    BMEN 5321.001, Biomaterials Compatibility, Fall 2020  SPOT
                    

                    MTSE 6940.043, Individual Research, Fall 2020 
                    

                    MTSE 6940.044, Individual Research, Fall 2020 
                    

                    MTSE 6940.045, Individual Research, Fall 2020 
                    

                    BMEN 5950.002, Master's Thesis, Fall 2020 
                    

                    BMEN 2900.002, Special Problems in Biomedical Engineering, Summer 10W 2020 
                    

                    MTSE 6940.046, Individual Research, Spring 2020 
                    

                    MTSE 6940.047, Individual Research, Spring 2020 
                    

                    BMEN 5950.004, Master's Thesis, Spring 2020 
                    

                    BMEN 2900.005, Special Problems in Biomedical Engineering, Spring 2020 
                    

                    BMEN 5810.002, Topics in Biomedical Engineering, Spring 2020 Syllabus
                    

                    BMEN 5321.001, Biomaterials Compatibility, Fall 2019 Syllabus SPOT
                    

                    MEEN 6940.714, Individual Research, Fall 2019 
                    

                    MTSE 6940.043, Individual Research, Fall 2019 
                    

                    MTSE 6940.044, Individual Research, Fall 2019 

          


          
*
  Texas Education Code 51.974 (HB 2504) requires each institution of
  higher education to make available to the public, a syllabus for
  undergraduate lecture courses offered for credit by the institution.
  

        

      

    

  

  
  	

	

	  

		

		   
Published Publications



  

  
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
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
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
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, ., Danda, V., Reed, ., 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



	
		
		
	  

	

	

  
    
	

	

	  

		

		   
Awarded Grants



  
  
  	  
          
Contracts, Grants and Sponsored Research  

 	 
	 	 
  
Contract   
Ecker, M., "Submersion DMA measurements," Sponsored by Qualia Oto Inc., Local, $3600 Funded. (October 2020 – December 2020).
Grant - Research   
Ecker, M. J. (Principal), "CAREER: Shape Memory Polymers as Biomaterial," Sponsored by National Science Foundation, Federal, $553036 Funded. (February 1, 2023 – January 31, 2028).
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. (June 1, 2023 – March 1, 2024).
Ecker, M. J. (Principal), "Thiol-clickable gelatin-based hydrogels for 3D cell cultures," Sponsored by UNT - AMMPI, University of North Texas, $6000 Funded. (October 20, 2022 – September 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. (June 16, 2021 – March 15, 2022).
Sponsored Research   
Ecker, M. J., "Unrestricted Gift," Sponsored by Private Donor, Private, $5000 Funded. (August 2022 – Present).



	
		
		
	  

	

	

	
	

  
  
  

  	

		

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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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