Dr. Melissa Grunlan
Department of Biomedical Engineering
Texas A&M University
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About Dr. Melissa Grunlan
Dr. Melissa Grunlan is the Charles H. and Bettye Barclay Professor of Biomedical Engineering at Texas A&M University (TAMU). She holds courtesy appointments in the Departments of Materials Science & Engineering and Chemistry.
After completing her B.S and M.S., Dr. Grunlan was employed at the H.B. Fuller Company (St. Paul, MN) for four years where she held titles of Chemist and then Senior Chemist. Next, she completed her Ph.D. at the University of Southern California. Following a post-doc in the Department of Chemistry (TAMU), Dr. Grunlan was hired as an Assistant Professor [2005]. She was awarded tenure at promoted to Associate Professor [2011], and then promoted to Full Professor [2017].
For the last 18 years, Dr. Grunlan has built an internationally-recognized research program focused on the development of polymeric biomaterials for medical devices as well as environmentally-friendly coatings. Her technologies include shape memory polymer bone scaffolds, synthetic cartilage, osteochondral implants, self-cleaning biosensor membranes, and antifouling silicones. Dr. Grunlan has received numerous awards from TAMU, including the prestigious Presidential Impact Fellow, and Chancellor EDGES Fellow. She is Fellow of the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering (AIMBE), the American Chemical Society (ACS), the ACS PMSE Division, and the Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES). She is a Senior Member of the National Academy of Inventors (NAI).
Dr. Grunlan served as Chair of the ACS Division of Polymeric Materials Science & Engineering. She was a standing member of the NIH Biotechnology and Surgical Sciences (BTSS) Study Section from 2019 – 2023. Dr. Grunlan is an Associate Editor of ACS Macro Letters. Her research has been reported in 99 peer-reviewed publications, and she holds 4 issued patents. Dr. Grunlan’s research has been sponsored by the NIH, NSF, DoD laboratories, and several companies.
Current Post-Doctoral Scholars
Current Post-doc
Summer 2023 - present
Electrospun scaffolds for bone regeneration
Current PhD Students
Current Ph.D. Student
BMEN, Spring 2021 – present
Shape memory polymer scaffolds for orthopedic and gynecological applications
Current Ph.D. Student
BMEN; Fall 2021 – present
Composite shape memory polymer scaffolds for bone defect repair
Current Ph.D. Student
BMEN; Fall 2021 – present
Multinetork, electrostatic hydrogels for cartilage replacement
Current Ph.D. Student
CHEM; Fall 2021 – present
Polyelectroylete hydrogel membranes for biosensors
Current Ph.D. Student
CHEM; Fall 2021 – present
Shape memory scaffolds derived from silicon-based polymers
Current Ph.D. Student
CHEM; Fall 2022 – present
Environmentally-benign anti-fouling marine coatings
Current Undergraduate Students
BMEN, Fall 2021- present
Thermoresponsive biosensor membranes
BMEN, Summer 2022 - present
Thermoresponsive biosensor membranes
BMEN, Summer 2022 - present
Tissue-safe shape memory bone scaffolds
BMEN, Fall 2022 - present
Bioactive shape memory bone scaffolds
BMEN, Spring 2023 - present
Multi-network, adhesive hydrogels
BMEN, Spring 2023 - present
Bioactive shape memory bone scaffolds
CHEM, Spring 2023 - present
Anti-fouling silicones
BMEN, Spring 2023 - present
Silicon-based bone scaffolds and intraocular lenses
CHEM, Summer 2023 - present
Anti-fouling silicones
MSEN, Summer 2023 - present
Multi-network, adhesive hydrogels
MSEN, Summer 2023 - present
Silicon-based bone scaffolds and intraocular lenses
MSEN, Summer 2023 - present
Shape memory polymer tissue scaffolds
BMEN; Fall 2023 - present
Electrospun shape memory polymer scaffolds
Former Post-Doctoral Scholars
Spring 2022
Silicon-based scaffolds for bone regeneration
Summer 2016 - Summer 2019
Silicones for 3D printing
Spring 2015 - Summer 2016
Antifouling silicones for medical and marine applications
Former Ph.D. Students
Graduated: December 2022 (Biomedical Engineering)
Dissertation: "Multi-Network Hydrogels for Synthetic Cartilage Replacement". Currently: TBD
Graduated: December 2022 (Materials Science & Engineering)
Dissertation: "Amphiphilic Addiitives for Modification of Biomedical Silicones". Currently: Staff Process Engineer; J&J Vision
Graduated: December 2021 (Materials Science & Engineering)
Dissertation: “Bioactive, Self-Fitting Scaffolds Prepared from Siloxane Based Shape Memory Polymers”. Currently: National Lab
Graduated: December 2021 (Biomedical Engineering)
Dissertation: “‘Self-cleaning’ Hydrogel Membranes for Fully Implantable Glucose Biosensors”. Currently: Post-doc; Duke University
Graduated: May 2021 (Biomedical Engineering)
Dissertation: “Self-fitting Craniomaxillofacial (CMF) Bone Scaffolds with Tunable Properties. Currently: Post-doc; University of Minnesota
Graduated: December 2020 (Biomedical Engineering)
Dissertation: Templated Hybrid Hydrogel Scaffolds for Osteochondral Repair. Currently: Product Manager; Abbott
Graduated: May 2020 (Biomedical Engineering)
Dissertation: “Thromboresistant Silicones and Polyurethanes Prepared with Amphiphilic Surface-Modifying Additives”. Currently: Materials Engineering Manager; VenoStent, Inc.
Graduated: May 2019 (Materials Science & Engineering)
Dissertation: “Ultra-strong, Double Network Hydrogels for Implantable Glucose Biosensors and Synthetic Cartilage”. Currently: Bioengineer; 3D Systems Corp.
Graduated: Spring 2018 (Biomedical Engineering)
Dissertation: “Degradable PCL-PLLA Semi-IPN Network SMP Scaffolds for Cranial Bone Defect Repair”. Currently: Principal Scientist; Luna Labs USA
March – June 2018 (Visiting from U South Brittany)
Graduated: Spring 2016 (Biomedical Engineering)
Dissertation: “PEO-Silane Amphiphiles as Surface-Modifying Additives to Improve the Protein Resistance of Silicone”. Currently: Principal Materials Engineer; Medtronic.
Graduated: December 2014 (Biomedical Engineering)
Dissertation: “Self-Cleaning Membranes Based on Thermoresponsive Double Network Hydrogels”. Currently: Software Engineer; Google.
Graduated: December 2014 (Biomedical Engineering)
Graduated: August 2013 (Biomedical Engineering)
Dissertation: “Inorganic-Organic Hydrogel Scaffolds for Tissue Engineering Applications”. Currently: Global scientific communication leader; F- Hoffman-La Roche Ltd (Switzerland)
Graduated: May 2013 (Material Science & Engineering)
Dissertation: “Shape Memory Polymers with Si-Containing Segments”. Currently: Professor; University of Science & Technology Beijing
Graduated: December 2009 (Materials Science & Engineering)
Dissertation: “Photocurable Inorganic-Organic Hydrogels for Biomedical Applications”. Currently: Senior Director of Life Sicence Division; Sunresin New Materials Co. Ltd.
Graduated: May 2009 (Materials Science & Engineering)
Dissertation: “Enhancing Protein Resistance of PEO Modified Biomaterials”. Currently: Senior Vice President, Commericial & Digital Excellence; Azelis
Former M.S. Students
Graduated: August 2009 (Biomedical Engineering)
Thesis: “Biodegradable Si-Containing Elastomers for Tissue Engineering Scaffolds and Shape Memory Polymers
Former Undergraduate Students
BMEN, Fall 2021 – Spring 2023
Shape memory polymer scaffolds for bone repair
BMEN; Fall 2021 – Summer 2023
Amphiphilic silicones for intraocular lenses
BMEN; Fall 2021 – Spring 2023
Electrically conductive and antifouling silicones
BMEN; Summer 2022 - Spring 2023
Multi-network hydrogels for cartilage replacement
BMEN; Spring 2022 - Fall 2022
Composite shape memory scaffolds for bone repair
BMEN; Spring 2021 - Spring 2022
Self-cleaning membranes for implanted glucose biosensors
BMEN; Spring 2020, Fall 2021 – Spring 2022
Shape memory polymer scaffolds for bone repair
BMEN; Spring 2020, Spring 2021 - Spring 2022
Undergraduate Research Scholar Thesis (2022): “Lowering the Self-fitting Temperature of Shape Memory Polymer Scaffolds for Cranial Defect Repair"
BMEN; Fall 2021 – Spring 2022
Shape memory polymer scaffolds for bone repair
BMEN; Spring 2022
Multi-network hydrogels for cartilage replacement
BMEN; Spring 2020, Spring 2021
Cartilage-mimetic hydrogels
BMEN; Spring 2019, Fall 2019 – Spring 2020, Spring 2021
Thromboresistant silicones
BMEN; Fall 2019 – Spring 2020, Spring 2021
Undergraduate Research Scholar Thesis (2021): “Hydrogels with Regional Mechanical Properties”
BMEN; Fall 2019 – Spring 2020, Fall 2021 – Spring 2021
Undergraduate Research Scholar Thesis (2021): “Stability Assessment of PEO-Silane Amphiphiles for Use in Intraocular Lenses”
BMEN; Fall 2018 – Spring 2019, Fall 2019 – Spring 2021
Undergraduate Research Scholar Thesis (2018): “Assessment of Degradation for Porous PCL-PLLA Semi-IPN Shape Memory Polymer (SMP) Implants for Cranial Bone Defect Repair”
BMEN; Spring 2019 – Spring 2020
Hydrogel scaffolds for bone tissue regeneration
BMEN; Spring 2019, Fall 2019 – Spring 2020
Shape memory polymer scaffolds for bone defect repair
BMEN; Fall 2018 – Spring 2020
Undergraduate Research Scholar Thesis (2020): “In vitro Real-time Degradation of ‘Self-fitting’ PCL-DA/PLA Semi-IPN Scaffolds for Cranial Bone Defects”
BMEN; Spring 2018 – Spring 2020
Undergraduate Research Scholar Thesis (2019): “The Effects of EtO Sterilization and Polydopamine on PCL-PLLA Scaffolds”
BMEN; Fall 2017 – Spring 2019, Fall 2019 – Spring 2020
Undergraduate Research Scholar Thesis (2019): “Phosphonate Functionalized Inorganic-Organic Hybrid Hydrogels for Bone Regeneration”
BMEN; Spring 2017 – Spring 2018, Fall 2019 – Spring 2020
Undergraduate Research Scholar Thesis (2019): “Impact of Polymer Architecture on PCL-DA/PLLA Semi-IPN Properties”
BMEN; Spring 2019 – Fall 2019
Self-cleaning membranes for implanted glucose biosensors
BMEN; Fall 2016, Summer 2017 – Spring 2019
Undergraduate Research Scholar Thesis (2019): “Development of Anti-fouling Materials for Blood-Contacting Devices”
BMEN; Spring 2017 - Spring 2019
Undergraduate Research Scholar Thesis (2018): “Assessment of Degradation for Porous PCL-PLLA Semi-IPN Shape Memory Polymer (SMP) Implants for Cranial Bone Defect Repair”
BMEN; Fall 2017 - Spring 2019
Undergraduate Research Scholar Thesis (2019): “An Implantable Glucose Sensor Comprised of Fluorescence Assays a Self-Cleaning Hydrogel Membrane”
BMEN; Fall 2016 – Summer 2018
Undergraduate Research Scholar Thesis (2018): “Incorporating Electrospun Fibers into Ultra-Strong Hydrogels”
BMEN; Fall 2016 - Spring 2017
Anti-clot and anti-infection coatings
BMEN; Summer 2016 – Spring 2017
Hydrogel membranes for biosensors and tissue replacement
BMEN; Summer 2014 – Summer 2017
Undergraduate Research Scholar Thesis (2016): “Dynamic Whole Blood Study of Silicone Modified with PEO-Silane Amphiphiles”
BMEN; Summer 2015 – Spring 2017
Undergraduate Research Scholar Thesis (2016): “PCL Shape Memory Polymer Scaffolds Prepared with Variable Cross-link Density”
BMEN; Spring 2017
Hybrid hydrogels to treat osteochondral defects
BMEN; Spring 2015 - Spring 2017
Hybrid hydrogel scaffolds for osteochondral repair
BMEN; Spring 2016 – Spring 2017
Self-fitting scaffolds for bone repair
BMEN; Spring 2016
Self-cleaning membranes for glucose biosensors
BMEN; Spring 2015 – Spring 2016
Hybrid hydrogel scaffolds for osteochondral repair
BMEN; Summer 2013 – Fall 2014; Fall 2015 – Spring 2016
Undergraduate Research Scholar Thesis (2016): “Macroporous PDMSstar-PEG-DA Hydrogels for Osteochondral Regeneration”
BMEN; Spring 2013 – Spring 2014; Fall 2015 – Spring 2016
Undergraduate Research Scholar Thesis (2014): “PDMSstar-PEG Hydrogels for Osteochondral Tissue Engineering”
BMEN (Case Western Reserve U); Summer 2015
Shape memory polymer formas to treat bone defects
BMEN; Spring 2015
Shape memory polymers to treat bone defects, and hydrogel membranes
BMEN; Spring 2014 - May 2015
Thermoresponsive hydrogel membranes for biosensors
BMEN; Spring 2014 – Spring 2015
PEG-silane amphiphiles to improve clot resistance
BMEN; Spring 2014 - Spring 2015
Thermoresponsive hydrogel membranes for biosensors
BMEN; Spring 2014, Fall 2014
Biodegradable shape memory polymers with Si-containing segments
BMEN; Spring 2014
Biodegradable shape memory polymers with Si-containing segments
BMEN; Fall 2013, Fall 2014
Amphilic silicones with enhanced blood compatibility
BMEN; Summer 2013 - Spring 2014
Inorganic-organic hydrogel scaffolds for tissue engineering
BMEN; Spring 2013 – Spring 2014
PEG-silane amphiphiles to improve clot resistance
BMEN; Spring 2013 – Spring 2014
Amphilic silicones with enhanced blood compatibility
BMEN; Fall 2012 – Spring 2014
Undergraduate Research Scholar Thesis (2014): “Shape Memory Polymer (SMP) Foams for Bone Defect Repair”
BMEN; Fall 2013
PEG-silane amphiphiles to improve carbothane clot resistance
BMEN; Summer 2013
Amphilic silicones with enhanced blood compatibility
BMEN; Spring 2013
Thermoresponsive nanocomposite hydrogels
BMEN; Spring 2013
Shape memory polymers with Si-containing segments
BMEN; Fall 2012 - Spring 2013
Amphilic silicones with enhanced blood compatibility
BMEN; Spring 2011 – Spring 2013
PEG-silane amphiphiles to improve carbothane clot resistance
BMEN; Fall 2011 – Spring 2014
Thermoresponsive hydrogel membranes for biosensors
BMEN; Fall 2011 – Spring 2013
Inorganic-organic hydrogel scaffolds for tissue engineering
BMEN; Fall 2011 – Spring 2013
Inorganic-organic hydrogel scaffolds for tissue engineering
BMEN (U Missouri); Summer 2011
Thermoresponsive nanocomposite hydrogel membranes for glucose biosensors
BMEN; Fall 2010 – Spring 2011
Shape memory polymers for bone defect treatment
BMEN; Fall 2010 – Spring 2011
Thermoresponsive nanocomposite hydrogel membranes for glucose biosensors
BMEN; Fall 2009 – Spring 2011
Inorganic-organic hydrogel scaffolds for tissue engineering
BMEN; Fall 2009 – Spring 2012
Honors Fellow Thesis (2012): “Thermoresponsive Double Network Hydrogel Membranes for Glucose Biosensors”
BMEN; Fall 2009 - Spring 2012
Inorganic-organic hydrogel scaffolds for tissue engineering
BMEN (Baylor U); Summer 2010
Inorganic organic hydrogel scaffolds as gradients
BMEN; Summer 2009 – Spring 2010
Shape memory polymers with Si-containing segments
BMEN; Spring 2009 – Spring 2010
Shape memory polymers with Si-containing segments
BMEN; Spring 2009 – Fall 2009
Shape memory polymers with Si-containing segments
BMEN; Fall 2008 – Spring 2009
Biodegradable polymer scaffolds
BMEN; Fall 2008 – Spring 2009
Biodegradable polymer scaffolds
BMEN; Spring 2008 - Spring 2009
Preparation of antifouling surfaces with PDMS-block-PEO copolymers
BMEN; Spring 2008 – Spring 2009
Inorganic-organic hydrogels
BMEN; Spring 2008
Biodegradable polymer scaffolds
BMEN; Spring 2008
Shape memory polymers with Si-containing segments
BMEN; Spring 2007 – Spring 2008
Amphillic silicones
BMEN; Spring 2007 – Fall 2007
PDMS nanoparticles for biomaterial composites
BMEN; Summer 2006 – Fall 2006
Preparation of antifouling surfaces with PDMS-block-PEO copolymers
CHEM; Fall 2005 – Spring 2007
UV-curable PDMS/PEO polymers systems