Elizabeth Barker

Elizabeth Barker is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Mechanical, Aerospace, and Biomedical Engineering at the University of Tennessee. She holds adjunct roles as Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Department of Surgery at the University of Tennessee Graduate School of Medicine and Research Assistant Professor in her home department. Her interdisciplinary research focuses on biomaterials engineering, polymer characterization, and medical device design for applications in drug delivery and implantable devices. She earned her PhD (2014) in Molecular Therapeutics and Cell Signaling from the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, following a Master’s (2007) and Bachelor’s (2004) in Biomedical and Polymer Engineering from the University of Tennessee Knoxville.

Her research aims to bridge engineering and medicine through the development of novel polymer-based materials for clinical use, particularly targeting localized chemotherapy delivery to improve cancer treatment efficacy. She has presented work at conferences such as the Biomedical Engineering Society Annual Meeting and the Richard Lende Winter Neurosurgery Conference. Her innovations include starch-based hydrogels for biomedical applications, detailed in multiple patent applications.

Barker has been recognized for her teaching through nominations for the Chancellor’s Excellence in Teaching Award (2016) and College of Engineering Excellence in Teaching Award (2017). She actively contributes to academic service through roles like Undergraduate Career Mentor and membership in professional societies including the American Society for Engineering Education and Biomedical Engineering Society.