Abraham Qavi
Assistant Professor in Residence, Pathology, Chemistry
Dr. Abraham Qavi is an Assistant Professor in Residence of Pathology and Chemistry. He is a board-certified pathologist who serves as Director of Point of Care Testing, Director of Innovative Laboratory Diagnostics, and Associate Director of Clinical Chemistry at UC Irvine Medical Center.
Dr. Qavi’s research leverages cutting-edge optical technologies to revolutionize conventional diagnostic approaches. His laboratory employs photonic resonators and plasmonic-enhanced sensors to address critical gaps in clinical diagnostics. These advanced techniques enable precise control and manipulation of light to dramatically improve the analytical sensitivity and performance of traditional laboratory assays. Dr. Qavi’s work focuses particularly on the rapid and sensitive detection of viruses, including filoviruses and coronaviruses, demonstrating how sophisticated optical toolkits can address urgent global health challenges.
Key research areas include:
• Photonic Resonators – Exploiting the intrinsic properties of photonic resonators, a class of exquisitely sensitive optical devices that confine light, to enable ultrasensitive diagnostic applications
• Plasmonics – Utilizing plasmonic nanoparticles to develop low-cost, high-throughput diagnostic platforms with particular focus on neglected tropical diseases
• Laboratory Medicine – Advancing innovative laboratory-developed tests to enhance clinical diagnostic capabilities
Dr. Qavi earned his medical degree from the University of Illinois College of Medicine in Chicago and completed his residency in clinical pathology at Washington University School of Medicine and Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis.
