Rate My Professor Elizabeth Barker

Elizabeth Barker is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Mechanical, Aerospace, and Biomedical Engineering at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, where she has held this position since August 2017. Prior roles at the university include Lecturer from August 2014 to August 2017 and Research Assistant Professor since December 2014. She also serves as Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Department of Surgery at the University of Tennessee Graduate School of Medicine since April 2015. Barker earned her PhD in 2014 from the Integrated Program in Biomedical Sciences, Molecular Therapeutics and Cell Signaling Track, at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, with a dissertation titled 'Preclinical Evaluation of a Novel Polysaccharide Hydrogel for Local Chemotherapy Delivery to Solid Tumors.' She received her MS in Polymer Engineering in 2007 and BS in Biomedical Engineering in 2004, both from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, with her master's thesis on 'The Synthesis and Characterization of a Novel Polysaccharide Hydrogel for Biomedical Applications Including the Treatment of Malignant Tumors and the Prevention of Metastatic Disease.'

Barker's research leverages interdisciplinary knowledge in device design, biomaterials engineering, and polymer characterization to develop novel polymer materials for implant devices and drug delivery, with the goal of commercializing laboratory findings for clinical use and bridging engineering and medicine to improve patient care. She directs the Barker Lab, collaborating with institutions such as UT Medical Center, UT College of Veterinary Medicine, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. She has been nominated for the Chancellor’s Excellence in Teaching Award (Fall 2016), College of Engineering Excellence in Teaching Award (Spring 2017), and ASEE Mara H. Washburn Early Engineering Educator Grant (Spring 2017). Key presentations include 'Characterization of Stainless Steel and Hydroxyapatite Powders for Additive Manufacturing of Composite Craniomaxillofacial Implants' (Biomedical Engineering Society, 2016) and 'A Strategy for Improving Drug Penetration in Solid Tumors' (University of Tennessee Cancer Community of Scholars Symposium, 2016). Her patent applications encompass 'Starch-based Hydrogel for Biomedical Applications' (US 20100331232), 'Concurrent Delivery of Multiple Therapeutic Agents via Hydrogels for Biomedical Applications' (US 20110165243), and 'Amygels in Organic Solvent for Biomedical Applications' (US 20120322718). Barker contributes to professional service as Biomedical Engineering Undergraduate Career Mentor, member of the College of Engineering WomEngineer’s Leadership Council, Neuroscience Network of East Tennessee (NeuroNET), University of Tennessee Cancer Community of Scholars, and societies including the Biomedical Engineering Society, Society for Biomaterials, and American Society for Engineering Education.