Mark Ehrensberger PhD
Mark Ehrensberger
PhD
Associate Professor of Biomedical Engineering
Department of Biomedical Engineering
Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences
Professional Summary:
The overarching goal of my research is to improve human health by enhancing the quality, longevity, and functional performance of orthopaedic implants and associated surgical instruments. My passion for applied and translational research drives most of my work towards the development of innovative technologies, devices, and test methodologies that provide new insight and clinically relevant solutions to current challenges in orthopaedic surgery. My core research interests encompass the areas of orthopaedic biomaterials and orthopaedic biomechanics. The specific focus of my biomaterials research is to characterize and engineer the biological and electrochemical interactions at the surface of metallic orthopaedic implants. The emphasis of my biomechanics research is to develop novel mechanical tests to evaluate the performance of hard and soft tissue repair techniques and devices used in orthopaedic surgery.
Education and Training:
- PhD, Bioengineering, Syracuse University (2008)
- MS, Bioengineering, Syracuse University (2002)
- BS, Bioengineering, Syracuse University (2000)
Employment:
- Associate Professor, Biomedical Engineering, University at Buffalo (2018-present)
- Director, Kenneth A. Krackow MD Orthopaedic Research Lab, Orthopaedics, University at Buffalo (2008-present)
- Program Director, Biomaterials Graduate Program, University at Buffalo, School of Dental Medicine (2022–2024)
- Assistant Professor, Biomedical Engineering, University at Buffalo (2011–2018)
Awards and Honors:
- Young Investigators Initiative, US Bone and Joint Decade (2008)
- Jeanette Wilkins Award, Musculoskeletal Infection Society (2015)
- Invited Faculty, Technology Innovations for Physicians and Surgeons (2016)
- Senior Teacher of the Year, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, University at Buffalo (2022)
Research Expertise:
- Biological and electrochemical interactions at metallic orthopaedic implants
- Orthopedic biomechanics
Grants and Sponsored Research:
- June 2024–February 2027
Electrical Stimulation of Osseointegrated Prosthetic Limbs for Infection Control and Enhanced Tissue Integration
Defense Health Agency
Role: Principal Investigator
$1,800,000 - September 2022–September 2026
Electrical Stimulation for Infection Control and Enhanced Osseointegration.
Applied Research Award, Peer Reviewed Orthopaedic Research Program, Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program
Role: Principal Investigator
$724,658 - September 2020–September 2024
Electrical Stimulation for Infection Control of the Skin-Implant Interface of Osseointegrated Prostheses
Applied Research Award, Peer Reviewed Orthopaedic Research Program, Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program
Role: Principal Investigator
$749,188 - August 2023–June 2024
Computational Modeling of the Electrochemical Microenvironment Adjacent to Cathodically Stimulated Orthopedic Implant Systems with Augmented Supporting Electrolyte and Time Variable Stimulation Patterns.
New York State Center of Excellence in Materials Informatics, Industry partner: Garwood Medical Devices
Role: Principal Investigator
$49,337 - August 2022–June 2023
Computational Modeling of the Electrochemical Microenvironment Adjacent to Cathodically Stimulated Total Knee Replacement Systems.
New York State Center of Excellence in Materials Informatics
Role: Principal Investigator
$49,482 - July 2021–June 2022
Live Microbe Imaging and Computational Modeling of Antimicrobial Treatments
UB Center for Advanced Technology in Big Data & Health Sciences, Industry Partner: Garwood Medical Devices
Role: Principal Investigator
$86,683 - July 2021–June 2022
Computational Modeling of the Electrochemical Microenvironment Adjacent to Cathodically Stimulated Orthopedic Implants
New York State Center of Excellence in Materials Informatics, Industry partner: Garwood Medical Devices
Role: Principal Investigator
$49,555 - June 2019–January 2022
Electrical Stimulation Device for Orthopedic Infection Control
Technology Transfer Incentive Program, Empire State Development, Industry Partner: Garwood Medical Devices
Role: Principal Investigator
$124,862 - January 2020–June 2021
Live Microbe Imaging of Antimicrobial Electrical Stimulation
UB Center for Advanced Technology in Big Data & Health Sciences
Role: Principal Investigator
$64,776 - September 2017–October 2019
An Electrochemical Sense and Respond Osseointegrated Prosthesis, Phase 2
Office of Naval Research
Role: Principal Investigator
$631,974 - September 2016–September 2017
An Electrochemical Sense and Respond Osseointegrated Prosthesis
Office of Naval Research
Role: Principal Investigator
$508,352 - April 2013–April 2014
A Novel Electrical Stimulation Method for the Eradication/Preventions of Orthopedic Biofilms
Bruce Holm Memorial Catalyst Fund
Role: Co-Principal Investigator
$50,000 - October 2010–October 2013
Electrical Stimulation of Titanium for the Prevention and/or Eradication of A. baumannii and S. aureus Biofilm Infections on Osseointegrated Prostheses
Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program-Peer Reviewed Orthopaedic Research Program
Role: Principal Investigator
$621,591 - January 2010–May 2011
Engineering the Bioactivity of Absorbable Magnesium Implants for Fracture Fixation and Bone Defect Scaffolds: The Effect of Calcium Phosphate Coatings on In-Vitro Biocorrosion and Osteogenic Differentiation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells
Orthopedic Trauma Association
Role: Co-Principal Investigator
$25,000 - October 2006–October 2007
The In-Vitro Biological and Electrochemical Interactions of Electrically Polarized Commercially Pure Titanium Used for Orthopedic and Dental Applications.
Department of Veteran Affairs
Role: Principal Investigator
$25,000
Patents:
- Electrochemical Eradication of Microbes on Surfaces of Objects Continuation In Part (2022)
- Electrochemical Eradication of Microbes on Surfaces of Objects (2017)
Journal Articles:
- Martin S, Fuller SI, Ehrensberger MT, Caiola M, Martin E, Bisson LJ. (2025) A Biomechanical Comparison of Patellar Fixation Techniques in Medial Patellofemoral Ligament Reconstruction. Orthopaedic journal of sports medicine (Nov), 13(11): 23259671251391769.
- Grigoriou E, Varas-Rodriguez E, Transtrum MB, Deshpande AH, Doak JP, Ehrensberger MT. (2025) Three-dimensional biomechanical analysis of flexible intramedullary nailing constructs in length-unstable pediatric femur fractures. Journal of pediatric orthopedics. Part B (Nov), 34(6): 579-587.
- Martin EJ, MacFarlane AJ, Duquin TR, Ehrensberger MT. (2025) The effects of glenoid baseplate peripheral screw number on micromotion in reverse total shoulder arthroplasty. Seminars in Arthroplasty JSES (Mar)
- Vishnoi P, Tobias ME, Swihart MT, Ehrensberger MT. (2024) In vitro and in silico evaluation of hydrogen embrittlement of cathodically stimulated titanium. Materials Today Communications (May), 40: 109636.
- Weeks K, Clark C, McDermott E, Mohanraj G, Tobias M, Titus A, Duquin T, Ehrensberger MT. (2023) In vitro and in vivo assessment of extended duration cathodic voltage-controlled electrical stimulation for treatment of orthopedic implant-associated infections. Journal of orthopaedic research : official publication of the Orthopaedic Research Society (Dec), 41(12): 2756-2764.
- Clark CM, Ruszala BM, Anderson RM, Strom MJ, Ehrensberger MT. (2022) Electrochemical generation of hydrogen peroxide during cathodic polarization of metallic orthopedic biomaterials. Journal of Applied Electrochemistry (Dec), 53(6)
- Gowtham Mohanraj, Caelen M Clark, Behnoosh Sattari Baboukani, Prathima C Nalam, Mark T Ehrensberger. (2022) Electrochemical techniques to investigate adsorption and desorption behavior of fibrinogen on a gold surface. Journal of Applied Electrochemistry (Oct), 52(10)
- Martin EJ, Duquin TR, Ehrensberger MT. (2022) Reverse total shoulder arthroplasty baseplate stability with locking vs. non-locking peripheral screws. Clinical biomechanics (Bristol, Avon) (Jun), 96: 105665.
- Ali A, Visser MB, Ehrensberger MT, Meyer AE. (2021) Effect of radio frequency glow-discharge treatment of titanium on human gingival fibroblasts as a function of distance. Journal of biomedical materials research. Part B, Applied biomaterials (Nov), 109(11): 1866-1875.
- Martin EJ, Duquin TR, Ehrensberger MT. (2021) Reverse Total Shoulder Arthroplasty Baseplate Stability in Superior Bone Loss With Augmented Implant. Journal of shoulder and elbow arthroplasty (Jan), 5: 24715492211020689. doi:10.1177/24715492211020689
- Ehrensberger MT, Clark CM, Canty MK, McDermott EP. (2020) Electrochemical methods to enhance osseointegrated prostheses. Biomedical engineering letters (Feb), 10(1): 17-41. doi:10.1007/s13534-019-00134-8
- Canty MK, Hansen LA, Tobias M, Spencer S, Henry T, Luke-Marshall NR, Campagnari AA, Ehrensberger MT. (2019) Antibiotics Enhance Prevention and Eradication Efficacy of Cathodic-Voltage-Controlled Electrical Stimulation against Titanium-Associated Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa Biofilms. mSphere (May), 4(3). doi:10.1128/mSphere.00178-19
- Brooks EK, Ahn R, Tobias ME, Hansen LA, Luke-Marshall NR, Wild L, Campagnari AA, Ehrensberger MT. (2018) Magnesium alloy AZ91 exhibits antimicrobial properties in vitro but not in vivo. Journal of biomedical materials research. Part B, Applied biomaterials (Jan), 106(1): 221-227.
- Martin EJ, Duquin TR, Ehrensberger MT. (2017) Reverse total shoulder glenoid baseplate stability with superior glenoid bone loss. Journal of shoulder and elbow surgery (Oct), 26(10): 1748-1755.
- Brooks EK, Ehrensberger MT. (2017) Bio-Corrosion of Magnesium Alloys for Orthopaedic Applications. Journal of functional biomaterials (Sep), 8(3). doi:10.3390/jfb8030038
- Brooks EK, Brooks RP, Ehrensberger MT, Ehrensberger M. (2017) Effects of simulated inflammation on the corrosion of 316L stainless steel. Mater Sci Eng C Mater Biol Appl (Feb), 71: 200-205.
- Canty M, Luke-Marshall N, Campagnari A, Ehrensberger M. (2017) Cathodic voltage-controlled electrical stimulation of titanium for prevention of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Acinetobacter baumannii biofilm infections. Acta Biomater (Jan), 48: 451-460.
- Ciolko AA, Tobias M, Ehrensberger MT. (2016) The effect of fretting associated periodic cathodic potential shifts on the electrochemistry and in vitro biocompatibility of commercially pure titanium. Journal of biomedical materials research. Part B, Applied biomaterials (Nov), 104(8): 1591-1601.
- Nodzo SR, Tobias M, Ahn R, Hansen L, Luke-Marshall NR, Howard C, Wild L, Campagnari AA, Ehrensberger MT. (2016) Cathodic Voltage-controlled Electrical Stimulation Plus Prolonged Vancomycin Reduce Bacterial Burden of a Titanium Implant-associated Infection in a Rodent Model. Clinical orthopaedics and related research (Jul), 474(7): 1668-75. doi:10.1007/s11999-016-4705-7
- Brooks EK, Der S, Ehrensberger MT. (2016) Corrosion and mechanical performance of AZ91 exposed to simulated inflammatory conditions. Materials science & engineering. C, Materials for biological applications (Mar), 60: 427-436.
- Brooks EK, Tobias ME, Yang S, Bone LB, Ehrensberger MT. (2016) Influence of MC3T3-E1 preosteoblast culture on the corrosion of a T6-treated AZ91 alloy. Journal of biomedical materials research. Part B, Applied biomaterials (Feb), 104(2): 253-62. doi:10.1002/jbm.b.33378
- Kim H, Prasad S, Ehrensberger M, Gibson M, Monaco E. (2015) Biomaterial properties of titanium in dentistry. Journal of Oral Biosciences (Nov), 57(4): 192-199.
- Nodzo S, Tobias M, Hansen L, Luke-Marshall NR, Cole R, Wild L, Campagnari AA, Ehrensberger MT. (2015) Cathodic Electrical Stimulation Combined With Vancomycin Enhances Treatment of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus Implant-associated Infections. Clinical orthopaedics and related research (Sep), 473(9): 2856-64. doi:10.1007/s11999-015-4280-3
- Ehrensberger MT, Tobias ME, Nodzo SR, Hansen LA, Luke-Marshall NR, Cole RF, Wild LM, Campagnari AA. (2015) Cathodic voltage-controlled electrical stimulation of titanium implants as treatment for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus periprosthetic infections. Biomaterials (Feb), 41: 97-105.
- Dyskin E, Marzo JM, Howard C, Ehrensberger M. (2014) A biomechanical analysis of a single-row suture anchor fixation of a large bony bankart lesion. Arthroscopy (Dec), 30(12): 1562-1568.
- Brooks E, Tobias M, Krautsak K, Ehrensberger M. (2014) The influence of cathodic polarization and simulated inflammation on titanium electrochemistry. J Biomed Mater Res B Appl Biomater (Oct), 102(7): 1445-1453.
- Ehrensberger M, Hohman DW, Duncan K, Howard C, Bisson L. (2013) Biomechanical comparison of femoral fixation devices for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction using a novel testing method. Clinical biomechanics (Bristol, Avon) (Feb), 28(2): 193-8.
- Ehrensberger M, Hohman, Donald, Duncan, Kurt, Howard, Craig, Bisson LJ. (2013) Biomechanical Comparison of Femoral Fixation Devices for Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Using a Novel Test Method. Clinical Biomechanics (Jan), 28(2): 193-198.
- Hein CN, Deperio JG, Ehrensberger MT, Marzo JM. (2011) Effects of medial meniscal posterior horn avulsion and repair on meniscal displacement. The Knee (Jun), 18(3): 189-92.
- Marzo JM, Ehrensberger M, Gurske-dePerio J, Hein C. (2011) Effects of medial meniscal posterior horn avulsion and repair on meniscal displacement. Knee (Jan), 18(3): 189-192.
- Ehrensberger MT, Gilbert JL. (2010) The effect of scanning electrochemical potential on the short-term impedance of commercially pure titanium in simulated biological conditions. J Biomed Mater Res A (Sep), 94(3): 781-789.
- Ehrensberger MT, Sivan S, Gilbert JL. (2010) Titanium is not "the most biocompatible metal" under cathodic potential: The relationship between voltage and MC3T3 preosteoblast behavior on electrically polarized cpTi surfaces. Journal of biomedical materials research. Part A (Jun), 93(4): 1500-9.
- Ehrensberger MT, Gilbert JL, Ehrensberger M. (2010) A time-based potential step analysis of electrochemical impedance incorporating a constant phase element: a study of commercially pure titanium in phosphate buffered saline. J Biomed Mater Res A (May), 93(2): 576-584.
- Ehrensberger MT, Gilbert JL. (2010) The effect of static applied potential on the 24-hour impedance behavior of commercially pure titanium in simulated biological conditions. J Biomed Mater Res B Appl Biomater (Apr), 93(1): 106-112.
- Ehrensberger M. (2010) “Titanium is NOT “the Most Biocompatible Metal” Under Cathodic Potential: The Relationship Between Voltage and MC3T3 Pre-Osteoblast Behavior on Electrically Polarized cpTi Surfaces”. Journal of Biomedical Materials Research (Jan), 93A: 1500-1509.
- Bisson LJ, Manohar LM, Wilkins RD, Gurske-Deperio J, Ehrensberger MT. (2008) Influence of suture material on the biomechanical behavior of suture-tendon specimens: a controlled study in bovine rotator cuff. The American journal of sports medicine (May), 36(5): 907-12.
- Ehrensberger M. (2008) “Influence of Suture Material on the Biomechanical Behavior of Suture-Tendon Specimens”. The American Journal of Sports Medicine (Jan), 36(5): 907-912.
- Bisson LJ, de Perio JG, Weber AE, Ehrensberger MT, Buyea C. (2007) Is it safe to perform aggressive rehabilitation after distal biceps tendon repair using the modified 2-incision approach? A biomechanical study. The American journal of sports medicine (Dec), 35(12): 2045-50.
- Ehrensberger M. (2007) Is It Safe to Perform Aggressive Rehabilitation After Distal Biceps Tendon Repair Using the Modified 2-Incision Approach?: A Biomechanical Study. The American Journal of Sports Medicine (Jan), 35(12): 2045-2050.