Before coming to Georgia Tech in 1989, Eckert taught at the School of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and from 1980 – 1986, he served as the school’s department head. There, his first PhD student, Kin F. Wong, graduated in 1969.  Since he began his work at Georgia Tech, Eckert has had 57 PhD students graduate under his direction, and he anticipates having 7 more PhD candidates graduate by 2016. He has also graduated 71 MS students.

Eckert works jointly with Regent's Professor and Chair of the School of Chemistry and Biochemistry Charles Liotta. While he is no longer taking on new students, Eckert plans to finish working with his current students and will continue research with postdoctoral fellows.

Throughout his time at Georgia Tech, Eckert says that he was able to see firsthand the growth of the School of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, including a rise in the quality of students and faculty. While his research focuses on the interface between chemistry and chemical engineering, Eckert’s main focus always remains on his students. “I do not see myself as a chemical engineer nearly as much as I see myself as a teacher,” Eckert says. “Seeing the growth and success of students is most fulfilling.”