Melanie Jean Coathup is Professor of Medicine at the College of Medicine in the University of Central Florida and Director of the Biionix (Bionic Implants, Materials and Interfaces) Cluster. Dr. Coathup qualified in Medical Cell Biology from the University of Liverpool, United Kingdom and gained a PhD in orthopaedic implant fixation at the Institute of Orthopaedics, University College London (UCL) based at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital in Stanmore, UK.   She became Head of the Center for Tissue and Cell Research at UCL and Divisional Head of Athena SWAN and Women in Science. Over the years, Dr. Coathup has worked in Biomedical Engineering and orthopaedic innovation with the view of investigating and applying scientific discovery to improve the treatment and care of patients.  During her career, her research has focused on improving orthopaedic implant fixation and enhancing bone regeneration, focusing on translational themes that include stem cell therapy, nanotechnology, the design and follow-up of implants, implant infection and novel osteostimulative materials and coatings.