Amber Heck

Dr. Amber J. Heck is an Associate Professor in the Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Genetics at the University of North Texas Health Science Center (UNTHSC), within the College of Biomedical and Translational Sciences. Her expertise lies in curriculum design for health professions education, emphasizing evidence-based teaching practices and active learning methodologies.

• Education: BS Biology from Midwestern State University; PhD in Biomedical Science from UNTHSC.

Her research focuses on innovative educational strategies such as flipped classrooms, team-based learning, and session-level integration in medical curricula. She has contributed to the development of online biomedical science courses for UNTHSC's BS in Biomedical Sciences program.

Her recent work evaluates pre-matriculation courses, fellowship programs for educators, and the impact of active learning on student performance. She co-led the Fostering Student Self-Directed project (2023-2025), funded by IAMSE to enhance student autonomy in learning.

• Awards: IAMSE Early Career Award (2020) for excellence in teaching and innovation.

Dr. Heck actively engages in international faculty development and peer mentorship, shaping health professions education through scholarship and interprofessional collaboration.