Biomedical Optics and Optical Measurement Laboratory

Overview of the Laboratory

Our laboratory is focused on developing and applying optical technology to advance healthcare and medicine in all environments including the laboratory, the clinic, and the field. Our research includes developing novel cancer screening technologies using spectral and polarization imaging coupled with machine learning; designing and building endoscopes and other point-of-care systems for minimally-invasive screening and surgical localization; and identifying novel biomarkers for early-stage cancer. We also aim to develop tools for basic science applications including validation methods for diffusion MRI, generating mouse models of rare cancers, and probing genetic and molecular changes with the onset of cancer.

Our lab is primarily interested in gastrointestinal cancers (esophageal, gastric, neuroendocrine), but also has ongoing work focused on other cancers including ovarian and skin cancer. Given the highly interdisciplinary nature of biomedical research, the laboratory is a highly collaborative environment with active collaborations with the Cancer Center, Banner-University Medical Center, the University of Cambridge, and industry partners.

Openings for Students

We currently don’t have any openings for students immediately, but please reach out if you are interested in potentially joining the lab in the future to discuss potential opportunities.

Keywords

multispectral imaging, hyperspectral imaging, polarimetry, multiphoton imaging, tissue optics, cancer detection, esophageal cancer, gastric cancer, neuroendocrine tumors

Funding

We are grateful for support we’ve received from the University of Arizona (UA), the UA Cancer Center, the American Cancer Society, the Department of Defense, National Institutes of Health and National Science Foundation.

  • National Institutes of Health R01 943783
  • National Institutes of Health T32 GM132008
  • National Institutes of Health P30 CA023074
  • National Science Foundation DGE-2137419
  • Flinn Seed Grant to Promote Translational Research 23-06545
  • Department of Defense W81XWH2210211
  • Department of Defense N211-007-1843
  • American Cancer Society IRG-18-161-40
  • UA Core Facilities Pilot Program, International Research Grant, Equipment Enhancement Fund
  • Alphacore Inc. Industry Contract