The Grainger College of Engineering

Ali Ansari

Ali Ansari
Ali Ansari he/him/his
  • Teaching Assistant Professor
3244 Everitt Laboratory

For More Information

Education

  • Batchelor of Science in Electrical Engineering, Southern Methodist University, 2012
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Bioengineering, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, 2018
  • Master in Science in Bioengineering, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, 2016

Academic Positions

  • Assistant Teaching Professor, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Bioengineering, 2023-2024)
  • Visting Assistant Professor, Bucknell University, Bioengineering/Electrical and Computer Engineering, 2021-2023)

Professional Registrations

  • Theta Tau General Member (Former)
  • AICHE General Member (Former)
  • IEEE General Member (Former)
  • BED General Member
  • Biomedical Engineering Society General Member
  • ASEE General Member

Course Development

  • BIOE 414: Biomedical Instrumentation SP 2024
  • BIOE 400: Senior Design Capstone FA 2023, SP 2024
  • BIOE 205: Signals and Systems in Bioengineering SP 2024, SP 2025
  • BIOE 120: Introduction to Bioengineering SP 2024, SP 2025
  • BIOE 100: Introduction to Bioengineering FA 2023, FA 2024

Research Interests

  • Cancer
  • Curriculum Mapping and Course Design
  • Accessibility/Universal Design
  • Active Learning
  • Game Based Learning

Research Topics

Selected Articles in Journals

  • Ansari, Ali, et al. “Cell isolation via spiral microfluidics and the secondary anchor targeted cell release system.” AIChE Journal, vol. 65, no. 12, 6 Nov. 2019, https://doi.org/10.1002/aic.16844.
  • Watson, Craig, et al. “Multiplexed microfluidic chip for Cell co-culture.” The Analyst, vol. 147, no. 23, 2022, pp. 5409–5418, https://doi.org/10.1039/d2an01344d.
  • Mamer, S.B., Page, P., Murphy, M. et al. The Convergence of Cell-Based Surface Plasmon Resonance and Biomaterials: The Future of Quantifying Bio-molecular Interactions—A Review. Ann Biomed Eng 48, 2078–2089 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10439-019-02429-4
  • Ansari A, Patel R, Schultheis K, Naumovski V, Imoukhuede PI. A Method of Targeted Cell Isolation via Glass Surface Functionalization. J Vis Exp. 2016 Sep 20;(115):54315. doi: 10.3791/54315. PMID: 27684992; PMCID: PMC5092063.
  • Ansari, A., Imoukhuede, P.I. Plenty more room on the glass bottom: Surface functionalization and nanobiotechnology for cell isolation. Nano Res. 11, 5107–5129 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12274-018-2177-7
  • Chen, Si et al. Current State-of-The-Art and Future Directions in Systems Biology. Progress and Communication in Sciences, [S.l.], v. 1, n. 1, p. 12-26, oct. 2014. ISSN 2288-7113.
  • Ansari, A., Lee-Montiel, F.T., Amos, J.R. and Imoukhuede, P.I. (2015), Secondary anchor targeted cell release. Biotechnol. Bioeng., 112: 2214-2227. https://doi.org/10.1002/bit.25648
  • Ansari, A., Trehan, R., Watson, C., & Senyo, S. (2021). Increasing silicone mold longevity: a review of surface modification techniques for PDMS-PDMS double casting. Soft Materials, 19(4), 388–399. https://doi.org/10.1080/1539445X.2020.1850476
  • X. Wang, A. Ansari, V. Pierre, K. Young, C. R. Kothapalli, H. A. von Recum, S. E. Senyo, Injectable Extracellular Matrix Microparticles Promote Heart Regeneration in Mice with Post-ischemic Heart Injury. Adv. Healthcare Mater. 2022, 11, 2102265. https://doi.org/10.1002/adhm.202102265

Articles in Conference Proceedings

  • Bethke, Eliot; Ansari, Ali, Amos, Jennifer R.; Bradley Joe; Ochia, Ruth P.E.; Golecki, Holly M., “An Adaptive Scaffolding Approach Based on Team Dynamics in an Integrated Masters and Undergraduate Bioengineering Capstone Design Course”, Proceedings of the American Society for Engineering Education Annual Conference and Exposition. 2024 Accepted
  • Bethke, Eliot; Ansari, Ali, Amos, Jennifer R.; Bradley Joe; Ochia, Ruth P.E.; Golecki, Holly M., “Bridging extracurricular skill needs in bioengineering capstone design with just-in-time workshops.”, Proceedings of the American Society for Engineering Education Annual Conference and Exposition. 2024 Accepted
  • Submitted but pulled WIP Paper for ASEE Annual Conference 2025- Received a workshop presentation on Sunday, June 22nd, Ansari, Ali, “Workshop: Sunday Workshop: Making Serious Games Less Serious: Building Inclusive Game and Puzzle-based Learning Modules”. 2025
  • Submitted Abstract for BMES Annual Conference 2024- Ansari, Ali, “Fantastic Games And How To Find Them: Developing Game- Based Learning Modules for Bioengineering and Electrical Engineering Curriculum”, Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES) Annual Meeting, Portland, OR October 2024 Submitted
  • Submitted WIP Paper for ASEE Annual Conference 2024- Received a poster presentation Ansari, Ali, “Work in Progress: Enhancing Student Engagement and Interest in STEM Education through Game-Based Learning Techniques in Bioengineering and Electrical Engineering Core Curricula and How to Create Them”, Proceedings of the American Society for Engineering Education Annual Conference and Exposition. 2024 Accepted

Abstracts (in print or accepted)

  • Ansari A. Work in Progress: Enhancing Student Engagement and Interest in STEM Education through Game-Based Learning Techniques in Bioengineering and Electrical Engineering Core Curricula and How to Create Them. ASEE Annual Conference 2024. 2024 June; Urbana, Illinois, United States.
  • Ansari A. Workshop: Sunday Workshop: Making Serious Games Less Serious: Building Inclusive Game and Puzzle-based Learning Modules. ASEE Annual Conference 2025. 2025 June; Urbana, Illinois, United States
  • Mann J, Wright A, Althaus E, Chang W, Ansari A, Cvetkovic C, Hajj R, Golecki H. Reflective Teaching Practices for Equity-Minded Engineering Instructors. ; ASEE Conferences.
  • Ansari A. Board 12: Work in Progress: Enhancing Student Engagement and Interest in STEM Education through Game-Based Learning Techniques in Bioengineering and Electrical Engineering Core Curricula and How to Create Them. ; ASEE Conferences.
  • Mann J, Golecki H, Chang W, Hajj R, Ansari A, Cvetkovic C. (2025). Y(Our) story: A collaborative autoethnographic reflection of a faculty community of practice to promote equity-oriented engineering education. American Society for Engineering Education(ASEE) Annual Conference & Exposition, Montreal Canada, June 2025.

Patents

  • 18/716,576

Professional Societies

  • ASEE General Member (2021-Present)
  • BMES General Member (2013-Present)
  • BEEC General Member (2021-Present)

Teaching Honors

  • 2024 Excellent Teacher Rating based on ICES ratings from the Department Measurement and Evaluation in the Center for Innovation in Teaching and Learning
  • 2023 Excellent Teacher Rating based on ICES ratings from the Department Measurement and Evaluation in the Center for Innovation in Teaching and Learning

Improvement Activities

  • Learning Community: NSF DEEP Reflective Teaching Community of Practice (2024-present)
  • Integrating the Entrepreneurial Mindset (EM) in Lab and Design Experiences workshop, hosted by AE3, University of Illinois (June 2024)
  • Biomedical Engineering Education Community (2021-present)
  • Collins Scholars Program for New Faculty, Academy for Excellence in Engineering Education (AE3), University of Illinois (2023-present)

Recent Courses Taught

  • BIOE 100 - Undergraduate Open Seminar
  • BIOE 120 - Introduction to Bioengineering
  • BIOE 205 - Signals & Systems in Bioengrg
  • BIOE 400 - Bioengineering Senior Design
  • BIOE 414 (ECE 414) - Biomedical Instrumentation

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