James Rosenzweig, PhD
2025-02-26 12:00 - 13:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | BLI Library
Relativistic Compton Scattering Experiments: Applications to Science and Medicine
Biography
James Rosenzweig is a Distinguished Professor of Physics in the UCLA Department of Physics and Astronomy specializing in research into advances accelerator, beam and radiation techniques, and their frontier applications across science. In pursuit of these goals, he directs a large research group at UCLA, the Particle Beam Physics Laboratory (PBPL.) The PBPL concentrates on fundamental aspects of high brightness, ultra-fast relativistic electron beams, with application to very high field accelerators based on lasers, wakefields, plasmas, dielectrics and to radiation production, such as free-electron lasers and Compton scattering sources.
This research enables new scientific methods using electron, terahertz optical and X-ray beams, which have to applications ranging from high field pumps to study nonequilibrium high field phenomena, and atomic-molecular level ultra-fast imaging techniques. This research program is based on-campus at the MITHRA advanced accelerator lad and the MOTHRA high field microwave research lab. These state-of-the-art facilities are complemented by a large external program emphasizing wakefield acceleration and at user facilities. Professor Rosenzweig is the author of more than 600 scientific articles and has written a textbook, Fundamentals of Beam Physics, emphasizing unity of concepts between charged particle and laser beams.
Dr. Rosenzweig is a lifetime member and Fellow of the American Physical Society. He has been the recipient of Sloan, SCC and Wilson Fellowships. In recognition of his contributions to his research fields, he has received the 2007 International Free-electron Laser Prize, 2022 Advanced Accelerator Prize and the 2023 Alfven Prize in Plasma Physics. Professor Rosenzweig has trained over 35 graduate students, and these scientists have gone on to key positions in the national labs, universities, and industry. He has served five years as the Chair of the UCLA Department of Physics and Astronomy, and has also co-founded several industrial accelerator companies.

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Xingde Li, Ph.D.
2025-03-27 12:00 - 13:00 | BLI Library
Low-coherence Biophotonics Imaging for the Brain
Abstract
This talk will highlight our recent efforts in exploring the brain using low-coherence light. We will discuss two scenarios: intraoperative assessment of brain cancer infiltration in patients and real-time imaging of dynamic neural activities in freely behaving rodents. In the first scenario (clinical translation), we developed a color-coded quantitative optical coherence tomography (qOCT) technology, providing neurosurgeons with direct visual cues for maximizing cancer resection while minimizing damage to healthy brain tissue. Our results from over 50 patients demonstrate excellent specificity and sensitivity (>95%). For the second scenario (basic research), we created the first all-fiber-optic, head-mounted, ultracompact (~2 mm diameter), and ultralight (

Elliot S. Yu, MD
2025-04-10 12:00 - 13:00 | BLI Library
Pitfalls in Clinical Gastroenterology
Abstract
Gastroenterology is a multi-organ medical specialty pertaining to the treatment of the entire alimentary tract. I would like to introduce biomedical concepts and current treatment and diagnostic modalities of common gastrointestinal disorders and in turn discuss the current limitations of technological and clinical limitations to spark collaboration and ideas for improvement with engineering colleagues who may be interested. Upper endoscopy bleeding, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and gastroparesis are areas of the GI foregut where we are still lacking certain tools for early diagnosis, treatment and understanding of the pathophysiology of these disorders.
As proceduralists, gastroenterologists practice both medicine and therapeutic endoscopy in our practice. I hope to brainstorm concepts and feasibilities of current wavelength imaging, proximity sensors and temporal spatial markers to be able to explore these different modalities further and bridge our current gap of knowledge.
Biography
Dr. Yu earned his medical degree from the State University of New York Jacobs School of Medicine in Buffalo with research honors. He completed a residency in internal medicine and fellowship in Gastroenterology and Hepatology at the Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee.
As a physician deeply invested in advancing esophageal care, Dr. Yu completed an additional year of fellowship research in Neurogastroenterology and Motility at the Medical College of Wisconsin with his clinical training. His work, including publications and abstracts on the rehabilitative potential of striated esophageal muscles and gastroesophageal reflux disease, reflects his commitment to advancing care for patients with esophageal conditions through evidence-based practices. Dr. Yu is also interested in investigating novel endoscopic and manometric techniques for diagnosis of esophageal motility disorders and assessment of physiological reflux barriers in the esophagus. He has a clinical focus in dysphagia (difficulty swallowing) and is adept at performing and interpreting esophageal manometry. He also has interest in eosinophilic esophagitis and mechanisms to evaluate and prevent gastroesophageal reflux disease.

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ABRAHAM QAVI, M.D., PH.D.
2025-05-01 12:00 - 13:00 | BLI Library
Controlling Light to Reimagine Clinical Diagnostics
Abstract
Current diagnostic testing faces several challenges, including limited multiplexing capabilities, a lack of quantitation information, the need for centralized laboratories, and/or cold chain custody. In this talk, we highlight the use of photonic resonators and plasmonic enhanced sensors as tools to address these critical gaps in diagnostics. Both techniques enable the control and manipulation of light to significantly improve the analytical sensitivity and performance of conventional laboratory assays. We demonstrate the use of these technologies for the rapid and sensitive detection of viruses, including filoviruses and coronaviruses. We also highlight how optical toolkits can be leveraged to meet urgent global health challenges.
Biography
Dr. Abraham Qavi completed his undergraduate studies at the University of California, Irvine, followed by his PhD and MD at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He subsequently completed medical residency in Clinical Pathology and postdoctoral studies at Washington University in St. Louis. His research program focuses on the application of photonic resonators and plasmonic enhanced sensing to improve current diagnostic assays. His clinical obligations include serving as Director of Point of Care Testing, Director of Innovative Laboratory Diagnostics, and Associate Director of Clinical Chemistry at UCI Medical Center.

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Prof. C.P.J. Chris Barty
2025-06-26 12:00 - 13:00 | BLI Library
Distributed Charge Compton Sources and the Precision Detection and Treatment of Disease
Abstract
Medical robotics has been widely applied in areas such as surgical assistance, enabling higher precision, reduced fatigue, and enhanced performance, and tele-operation, allowing surgeons to perform procedures remotely without being physically present with the patient. A key enabler of medical robotics is imaging, which has rapidly evolved over the past two decades to support more minimally invasive, personalized, and low-risk diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. My research group focuses on the intersection of medical robotics, sensing, and imaging, with the aim of developing robotic-assisted imaging systems and image-guided robotic interventional platforms. We emphasize ultrasound and photoacoustic (PA) imaging due to their real-time capabilities, accessibility, and compact form, which make them ideal for integration into interventional procedures. In this talk, I will highlight two major research thrusts in our lab. First, I will present our work on PA-based functional image-guided interventions, which provide functional information such as disease states and therapy progression. This approach enables high-sensitivity, multimodal robotic-assisted surgical guidance. Specifically, we are investigating the use of molecular-targeted contrast agents to delineate prostate cancer using spectroscopic PA (sPA) imaging, and a label-free sPA method to monitor therapeutic progression during cardiac ablation. Second, I will discuss autonomous robotic imaging, which aims to reduce user dependency during image acquisition, resulting in higher-quality images and more comprehensive scanning. This includes our development of a robotic optical coherence tomography (OCT) platform for quantifying microstructural parameters of human kidneys during transplant surgeries to assess organ viability,and an autonomous ultrasound robot for diagnosing lung diseases. These advancements in robotic imaging and intervention have the potential to significantly enhance both diagnostic capabilities and therapeutic outcomes, paving the way for the next generation of medical imaging and robotics.
Biography
Prof. C.P.J. (Chris) Barty is a Distinguished Professor of Physics and Astronomy at the University of California, Irvine (https://faculty.sites.uci.edu/bartylab/). He is also the co-founder of Lumitron Technologies, Inc of Irvine, California (www.lumitronxrays.com). At UCI he has affiliations with the Beckman Laser Institute and Medical Clinic, the Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, and is the senior member of UCIʼs Convergence Optical Sciences Initiative (COSI). Prior to his arrival in Southern California in 2017, he had served as the chief technology officer for the $0.5B/annum, National Ignition Facility and Photon Science Directorate at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. Prof. Barty received his Ph.D. and M.S. in applied physics from Stanford University and B.S.ʼs in chemistry, physics and chemical engineering, each with honors, from North Carolina State University. He is a fellow of OSA, IEEE,APS, SPIE, and AAAS. Recent recognitions include; the Harold E. Edgerton Award of the SPIE and the R. W. Wood Prize of the OSA.

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Guillem Pratx, PhD
2025-09-25 12:00 - 13:00 | BLI Library
Small but mighty: Micropysiological models for simulating complex clinical oncology workflows
Abstract
Microphysiological tumor models (μPTMs) are tissue-engineered 3D tumors that are grown in the lab and retain the biological and functional characteristics of the tissue of origin. These μPTMs provide a powerful model of individual patients’ tumor and are used for drug discovery, cancer research, and personalized medicine. This talk will discuss various projects related to these models. First, we will show how radioluminescence microscopy (RLM) can image clinical radionuclides in μPTMs, providing the equivalent of PET/CT but with higher spatial resolution. By imaging patient-derived organoids, RLM provides a quantitative endpoint that can be linked to in vivo PET data from the same patient. We will then discuss how RLM can also be applied to “on-chip” tumors, which are engineered using microfluidics technology to create environmental gradients of oxygen and nutrients, resulting in heterogeneous physiology. Finally, we will explore how μPTMs can help decipher the complex biology behind so-called FLASH radiotherapy, which involves treating tumors with high doses of ionizing radiation in a fraction of a second. By reducing the complexity of animal models while enabling use of patient-derived cells, μPTMs can reveal crucial biological mechanisms, yielding biological knowledge that can then be applied to translating these novel treatments.
Biography
Guillem Pratx, PhD is associate professor of Radiation Oncology and Medical Physics at Stanford University. The physical Oncology Lab, which he leads, employs physics and math to advance cancer research and patient care. Research projects blend traditional medical physics concepts with recent advances in biomedical engineering to incorporate novel capabilities into current medical imaging and enhance radiation therapy processes. Prof. Pratx is a Damon Runyon Innovator, an SNMMI Young Investigator, an NIH investigator, and the author of over 100 publications.

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Dr. Haichong (Kai) Zhang
2025-10-13 12:00 - 13:00 | BLI Library
Listening to the Sound of Light with A Robot: Fusion of Imaging and Robotics for Healthcare
Abstract
Medical robotics has been widely applied in areas such as surgical assistance, enabling higher precision, reduced fatigue, and enhanced performance, and tele-operation, allowing surgeons to perform procedures remotely without being physically present with the patient. A key enabler of medical robotics is imaging, which has rapidly evolved over the past two decades to support more minimally invasive, personalized, and low-risk diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. My research group focuses on the intersection of medical robotics, sensing, and imaging, with the aim of developing robotic-assisted imaging systems and image-guided robotic interventional platforms. We emphasize ultrasound and photoacoustic (PA) imaging due to their real-time capabilities, accessibility, and compact form, which make them ideal for integration into interventional procedures. In this talk, I will highlight two major research thrusts in our lab. First, I will present our work on PA-based functional image-guided interventions, which provide functional information such as disease states and therapy progression. This approach enables high-sensitivity, multimodal robotic-assisted surgical guidance. Specifically, we are investigating the use of molecular-targeted contrast agents to delineate prostate cancer using spectroscopic PA (sPA) imaging, and a label-free sPA method to monitor therapeutic progression during cardiac ablation. Second, I will discuss autonomous robotic imaging, which aims to reduce user dependency during image acquisition, resulting in higher-quality images and more comprehensive scanning. This includes our development of a robotic optical coherence tomography (OCT) platform for quantifying microstructural parameters of human kidneys during transplant surgeries to assess organ viability,and an autonomous ultrasound robot for diagnosing lung diseases. These advancements in robotic imaging and intervention have the potential to significantly enhance both diagnostic capabilities and therapeutic outcomes, paving the way for the next generation of medical imaging and robotics.
Biography
Dr. Haichong (Kai) Zhang is an Associate Professor in Biomedical Engineering and Robotics Engineering with an appointment in Computer Science at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI). He is the founding director of the Medical Frontier Ultrasound Imaging and Robotic Instrumentation (Medical FUSION) Laboratory. His research interests include advanced medical imaging and robotic instrumentation with an emphasis on ultrasound and photoacoustics. Dr. Zhang received his B.S. and M.S. in Human Health Sciences from the Kyoto University, Japan, and subsequently earned his M.S. and Ph.D. in Computer Science from the Johns Hopkins University. Dr. Zhang is the recipient of the NIH Director’s Early Independence Award (DP5) in 2019 and the Early Investigator Research Award from the Department of Defense Prostate Cancer Research Program in 2018. He has served as a Program Committee Member for two tracks at the Image-Guided Procedures, Robotic Interventions, and Modeling and Ultrasonic Imaging and Tomography at the SPIE Medical Imaging Conference.

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Wei Gao, PhD
2025-11-20 12:00 - 13:00 | BLI Library
Body-Interfaced Biosensors
Abstract
The rise of personalized medicine is reshaping traditional healthcare, enabling predictive analytics and tailored treatment strategies. In this talk, I will discuss our progress in developing wearable, implantable, and ingestible electrochemical biosensors for real-time molecular analysis. These bioelectronic systems autonomously access and sample diverse body fluids—including sweat, interstitial fluid, gastrointestinal fluid, wound exudate, and exhaled breath condensate—enabling continuous monitoring of key biomarkers such as metabolites, nutrients, hormones, proteins, and drugs during various activities. To facilitate scalable, cost-effective manufacturing of these high-performance, nanomaterial-based sensors, we employ laser engraving, inkjet printing, and 3D printing techniques. The clinical utility of our biosensors is being evaluated in human and animal studies, focusing on applications such as stress and mental health assessment, precision nutrition, chronic disease management, and personalized drug monitoring. Additionally, I will highlight our efforts in energy harvesting from both the body and the environment, opening the door to battery-free, wireless biosensing technologies. By integrating electrochemical biosensing with advanced bioelectronics, we aim to revolutionize personalized healthcare, offering new possibilities for diagnostics, continuous monitoring, and therapeutic interventions.
Biography
Wei Gao is a Professor of Medical Engineering and Heritage Medical Research Institute Investigator at the California Institute of Technology. He earned his Ph.D. from the University of California, San Diego in 2014, followed by a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of California, Berkeley from 2014 to 2017. He is an Associate Editor of Science Advances, npj Flexible Electronics, Biosensors and Bioelectronics, and Sensors & Diagnosis. He is a recipient of NSF Career Award, ONR Young Investigator Award, IAMBE Early Career Award, Sloan Research Fellowship, Pittcon Achievement Award, IEEE EMBS Early Career Achievement Award, IEEE EMBS Technical Achievement Award, IEEE Sensor Council Technical Achievement Award, MIT Technology Review 35 Innovators Under 35, and Falling Walls Breakthrough of the Year in Engineering and Technology. He is a World Economic Forum Young Scientist, a Highly Cited Researcher (Web of Science). He is an elected Fellow for AIMBE and RSC. His research interests include wearable biosensors, digital medicine, bioelectronics, flexible electronics, additive manufacturing, and micro/nanorobotics.
For additional information about Gao’s research, please visit www.gao.caltech.edu.

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Dr. Goldman
2025-12-04 12:00 - 13:00 | BLI Library
Single molecule fluorescence approaches reveal that DEAD-Box RNA helicases cluster in dynamic hubs for protein synthesis initiation
Abstract
DEAD-box helicases, DDX3 and eukaryotic initiation factor 4A (eIF4A), play essential roles in translation initiation, cytoplasmic surveillance for foreign RNAs and in facilitating cellular stress response. Using multi-parameter confocal fluorescence burst spectroscopy, we discovered that sex chromosome-encoded helicases, DDX3X and DDX3Y, form 20 nm RNA-protein clusters (RPCs) containing a few RNA duplexes and dozens of protein subunits. This assembly occurs at nanomolar concentrations, far below the critical micromolar concentration threshold for liquid-liquid phase separation. N-terminal and C-terminal intrinsically disordered regions (IDRs) are required for RPC formation of DDX3s. eIF4A, with much smaller IDRs, does not form RPCs without other protein partners. But with cofactors eIF4B, which is highly disordered, and eIF4G, a scaffolding factor needed to recognize and activate authentic capped mRNAs, the RPCs appear and again facilitate the helicase (unwinding) function. A mutation in the RNA-binding module of eIF4B causes reduced RPC formation, reduced phase separation into condensates, and reduced activity. Faster diffusion of the mutant eIF4B in HeLa cells relative to wild type implies that these features apply in cells as well as in vitro. As DEAD-Box helicases are not processive, RPCs may be required for unwinding of larger mRNA secondary structures during initiation of protein synthesis and in formation of stress granules as a cellular protective mechanism.
Biography
Dr. Goldman obtained a BS in Electrical Engineering from Northwestern University in 1969 and MD and PhD in Physiology from the University of Pennsylvania in 1975. He was Post-Doctoral Fellow at University College London under Professor Sir Andrew F. Huxley and Robert M Simmons until 1980 at which time he joined the Physiology Department of the School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania. He moved his laboratory and appointment to University of California in Davis in 2023. Dr. Goldman has developed novel instrumentation for biophysical studies on muscle contraction, non-muscle molecular motors, protein synthesis and RNA helicases. He introduced photochemical approaches to transient dynamics and mechanochemistry of these biophysical systems, including caged ATP photolysis, high speed optical traps (laser tweezers), stable isotope oxygen exchange, single molecule nanometer tracking and polarized total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy. He was awarded the Bowditch Lectureship of the American Physiological Society, Kinosita Single Molecule Award, President, and Fellow of the Biophysical Society, Storer Lectureship at UC Davis among others. He is a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, American Association for the Advancement of Science and elected Member of the US National Academy of Science.

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Wenbin Tan, PhD
2026-01-22 12:00 - 13:00 | BLI Library
Induced pluripotent stem cells and vascular organoids assemble capillary malformation phenotypes: insights and challenges
Abstract
Recent advances in induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) technology have transformed vascular malformation research by enabling the development of human-relevant, genotype-specific disease models. Patient-derived or genome-edited iPSCs can be differentiated into endothelial cells and assembled into three-dimensional vascular organoids that recapitulate
many hallmarks of pathological features. In our recent work, we established capillary malformation (CM)–derived iPSCs and generated induced endothelial cells and vascular organoids that mirror key disease phenotypes, including enlarged vascular lumens, endothelial hyperproliferation, and dysregulated signaling. Notably, patient-derived iPSCs and iPSC derived ECs also exhibited heterogeneity in laser-treatment responses, reflecting the clinical spectrum observed among individuals with CM. Together, these clinically relevant stem cell–based systems provide powerful platforms for dissecting mechanisms of vascular pathologies and for screening therapeutic candidates in a controlled, patient-specific context.
Biography
Dr. Tan is an Associate Professor in the Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy and Director of the Stem Cell and Organoid Core at the University of South Carolina School of Medicine. He is also affiliated with the Cardiovascular Research Center and the Department of Bioengineering at the University of South Carolina. He received his Ph.D. in Neurophysiology and Neurobiology from the University of California, Los Angeles in 2008, where his early work focused on rhythmic brainstem neurons involved in the neural control of breathing under Dr. Jack L. Feldman’s mentorship. In 2010, he joined Dr. J. Stuart Nelson’s group in the Department of Surgery and the Beckman Laser Institute at the University of California, Irvine, where he began his research on congenital vascular malformations—a dramatic and unexpected shift from studying neurons to endothelial cells. Dr. Tan is deeply grateful to Dr. J. Stuart Nelson, Dr. Dongbao Chen, and the Beckman Laser Institute for their mentorship and the supportive academic environment that shaped his transition to this field. In 2018, he joined the University of South Carolina School of Medicine. On the East Coast, he continues to miss the authentic food and consistently pleasant climate of Southern California. He also greatly appreciates the natural beauty and welcoming environment of South Carolina.

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Anna-Karin Gustavsson, PhD
2026-02-26 12:00 - 13:00 | BLI Library
Mapping cellular function with 3D single molecule tracking and super-resolution microscopy
Abstract
Cellular function is governed by the molecular organization and interactions at the nanoscale. In this talk I will demonstrate our recent developments for improved 3D single-molecule tracking of dynamics and super-resolution imaging of nanoscale structures throughout mammalian cells and showcase applications of our approaches for cellular imaging.
I will describe our developments of light sheet microscopy platforms that reduce fluorescence background, photobleaching, and the risk of photodamaging sensitive samples. Combined with point spread function (PSF) engineering
for nanoscale localization of individual molecules in 3D, deep learning for analysis of overlapping emitters, and a novel 3D nanoprinted microfluidic chip for environmental control, our platforms offer whole-cell multi-target 3D single-molecule superresolution imaging with improved accuracy, precision, and imaging speed. Next, I will demonstrate how we integrate the
optical sectioning capabilities of light sheet illumination with uniform, flat-field epi- and TIRF illumination to achieve more precise and accurate quantitation of single-molecule data. I will also demonstrate novel long axial-range double-helix PSFs and show that they offer stitching-free, 3D super-resolution imaging of whole mammalian cells, simplifying the experimental and analysis procedures for obtaining volumetric nanoscale structural information. Furthermore, I will show that deep learning-based analysis drastically improves the achievable imaging speed and resolution with these PSFs. Finally, I will describe our recent developments and applications of dCas9-based labels for flexible and long-term tracking of endogenous, non-repetitive genomic loci in live human cells with excellent spatiotemporal resolution.
These imaging approaches are versatile and can be utilized to study molecular dynamics, nanoscale structures, and molecular mechanisms to address a broad range of chemical, biological, and biomedical questions related to cellular function and pathogenesis.
Biography
Dr. Gustavsson joined the faculty at Rice University in 2020 as a CPRIT Scholar in Cancer Research and the Norman Hackerman-Welch Young Investigator Chair. At Rice, she founded and serves as Director of the Center for Nanoscale Imaging Sciences. Her research group strives to gain detailed information about cellular nanoscale structures, dynamics, and molecular mechanisms by designing and applying innovative and versatile optical imaging tools. Dr. Gustavsson received her Ph.D. in Physics from the University of Gothenburg, Sweden. Her graduate work focused on studying rhythms and dynamic responses in single cells by combining and optimizing techniques such as fluorescence microscopy, optical tweezers, and microfluidics. Upon completion of her graduate work, Dr. Gustavsson joined the group of Nobel Laureate W. E. Moerner at Stanford University as a Postdoctoral Fellow. Her research focused on the development and application of 3D single-molecule super-resolution microscopy for cellular imaging and included the implementation of light sheet illumination for optical sectioning of mammalian cells. Her work has been recognized with multiple honors, awards, and fellowships, most notably the FEBS Journal Richard Perham Prize, the 3-year Swedish Research Council International Postdoctoral Fellowship, the PicoQuant Young Investigator Award, the NIH K99/R00 Pathway to Independence Award, the CPRIT Recruitment of First-Time Tenure-Track Faculty Members Award, the Scialog: Advancing Bioimaging Fellowship, the Edward S. and Fofo Lewis Chemistry Research Award, and the NSF CAREER Award

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Junjie Yao, PhD
2026-03-12 12:00 - 13:00 | BLI Library
From Light to Sound: Imaging, Treating, and Building Tissues at Depth
Abstract
Integrating light and sound, our research weaves engineering innovations that map, treat, and ultimately engineer living tissues at depthsunreachable by conventional optical methods—spanning scales from single cells to whole organs.
(1) Seeing deep with clarity and color. Our photoacoustic imaging (PAI) converts optical absorption into ultrasound emission, enabling multi-scale functional and molecular imaging. We accelerate photoacoustic microscopy (PAM) by 1000×, unlocking real-time observations of neural activity, placental development, and the remarkable transparency of glassfrogs. Using genetically encoded photoswitchable probes, we further enhance the molecular sensitivity of photoacoustic computed tomography (PACT) by 1000×, enabling reliable detection of cancer metastasis, tissue regeneration, and neuronal signaling in deep tissues. (2) Treating deep with precision. We translate deep-tissue ultrasound technologies into clinical practice through super-resolution passive cavitation mapping (SR-PCM) integrated with laser lithotripsy. By localizing laser-induced cavitation with >10× sub-diffraction precision, SR-PCM provides real-time, closed-loop surgical guidance that significantly improves the efficiency and safety of kidney-stone treatments. (3) Building deep with safety. Our ultrasound volumetric in-situ printing (UltraVIP) technology overcomes the penetration limits of light-based bioprinting by >100×, using focused ultrasound energy to fabricate intricate three-dimensional structures within deep-seated tissues. UltraVIP expands the possibilities of regenerative medicine, minimally invasive surgery, and in situ tissue engineering. Together, these advances form a unified research pipeline that harnesses light–sound energy conversion and control for noninvasive imaging, image-guided intervention, and deep-tissue biofabrication—paving the way for next-generation diagnostic, therapeutic, and regenerative technologies.
Biography
Dr. Junjie Yao is Jeffrey N. Vinik Associate Professor of Biomedical Engineering and Bass Chair Professor at Duke University, with a secondary appointment at Duke Neurology. He is also the Associate Director of Duke Fitzpatrick Institute for Photonics. Dr. Yao earned his B.S. (2006) and M.S. (2008) degrees from Tsinghua University (Beijing, China). He further completed his doctoral study at Washington University in St. Louis in 2013 and postdoctoral training in 2016, under the mentoring of Dr. Lihong V. Wang. At Duke
University, Dr. Yao’s research involves the conversion and control of light and sound for high-speed functional brain imaging, deep-tissue molecular imaging, early-stage cancer detection, super-resolution passive cavitation mapping, and through-tissue ultrasound printing. Dr. Yao’s Google Scholar Citation is ~15500, with an H-index of 59 and i10-index of 160. Dr. Yao’s contributions to the field of biomedical engineering have been recognized with IEEE Photonic Society Young Investigator Award (2019), National Jewish Fund Faculty Fellow (2021), NSF CAREER Award (2022), Nature Rising Stars of Light Award (2023), IC-UEBA Young Investigator Award (2025), Highly Citied Researcher List by Clarivate (2025), and Stansell Family Distinguished Research Award (2025). Dr. Yao is the Associate Editor of Science Advances, Journal of Biomedical Optics, BMC Medical Imaging, and Journal of Photoacoustics. Dr. Yao was elected as a Fellow of OPTICA (2022), SPIE (2025) and AIMBE (2025), ‘for breaking the limits of photoacoustic imaging in resolution, speed, and functionality, and translating the technical innovations to theragnostic impacts’. For more detailed information about Dr. Yao’s research, please visit his website at http://photoacoustics.pratt.duke.edu/.

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James G. Fujimoto, PhD
2026-05-14 12:00 - 13:00 | BLI Library
Optical Coherence Tomography: History, Evolution and Future Prospects
Abstract
Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is an example of a biomedical technology that has been translated from research to clinical practice. OCT performs “optical biopsy”, visualizing pathology in situ and in real time without excision or processing. The development of OCT would not have been possible without a complex ecosystem involving physics, engineering, and clinical medicine; government funding of fundamental and clinical research; collaborative and competitive research in the academic sector; entrepreneurship and industry; and economic and societal impact. OCT has become a standard of care in ophthalmology with millions of imaging procedures every year. It can detect eye disease at early treatable stages before vision impairment occurs, monitor disease progression and assess treatment response. The development of OCT angiography (OCTA) enabled depth resolved visualization of microvasculature using motion contrast from flowing blood. Technologies such as high speed, swept source OCT (SS-OCT) can image at 1050 nm wavelengths with improved image penetration, enabling advanced OCTA protocols which can assess blood flow speed at the capillary level. Advances in high resolution spectral domain (SD-OCT) enable imaging of new biomarkers in the outer retina and RPE-Bruchs membrane complex. OCT has had a powerful impact on health and wellbeing while also reducing health care costs. Continued research and development by the international community has made major advances in performance and functionality, enabling exciting new applications in diverse areas. This presentation discusses the development of OCT, its translation to clinical practice and its future potential.
Biography
James Fujimoto is Elihu Thomson Professor of Electrical Engineering at MIT, visiting professor of ophthalmology at Tufts University School of Medicine, and adjunct professor at the Medical University of Vienna. His group and collaborators were responsible for the invention and development of OCT, performing some of the first studies in ophthalmology. Working with Carmen Puliafito and Eric Swanson, he cofounded the startup company Advanced Ophthalmic Devices, which developed ophthalmic OCT and was acquired by Carl Zeiss. He also cofounded, with Eric Swanson and Mark Brezinski, LightLab Imaging, which developed intravascular OCT and was acquired by Goodman, Ltd. and St. Jude Medical. Dr. Fujimoto received the Zeiss Research Award in 2011, Optical Society of America Ives Medal in 2015, Beckman-Argyros Award in Vision Research in 2017 and the Honda Prize in 2024. He was co-recipient of the Champalimaud Vision Prize in 2012, National Academy of Engineering Fritz J. and Dolores H. Russ Award in 2017, European Inventor Award in 2017, Lasker-DeBakey Clinical Medical Research Award in 2023 and National Medal of Technology and Innovation in 2023. Dr. Fujimoto has honorary doctorates from the Nicolaus Copernicus University in Poland and Friedrich Alexander University of Erlangen-Nuremberg and is a member of the National Academy of Engineering, National Academy of Sciences, and American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

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STACY COPP, PH.D.
2026-05-21 12:00 - 13:00
Stacy Copp, UC Irvine Materials Science and Engineering

Title: Into the infrared: Programmable DNA-templated nanoclusters as designer probes for fluorescence imaging

Abstract: Fluorescent nanoclusters are emerging as promising new labels for biological imaging, but biocompatible nanoclusters that are well-suited for such applications remain limited. We are investigating DNA-stabilized silver nanoclusters as promising materials for biomedical imaging modalities. DNA-stabilized silver nanoclusters exhibit a diversity of photoluminescence properties that are uniquely tuned by DNA sequence. These nanoclusters hold particular promise as near-infrared (NIR) emitters for deep tissue imaging, but NIR emitters remain rare and DNA sequence space is immense, making it highly challenging to select the right DNA oligomers that produce desired nanocluster properties. We address this challenge using machine learning (ML) to connect DNA sequence to photoluminescence spectral properties. High-throughput experiments generate large training data libraries, and ML models trained on these models guide the selection of DNA sequences that template NIR-emitting nanoclusters. Moreover, the models can also be interpreted to gain new chemical insights into how DNA sequence controls nanocluster properties. Then, by preparing atomically precise solutions of DNA-stabilized silver nanoclusters, we investigate the structures and properties of these nanoclusters, including multi-photon excitation and chiroptical response. Our ongoing work is focused on functionalizing these nanoclusters for targeted molecular imaging and for integration into DNA nanotechnologies.
Bio: Stacy Copp is an Associate Professor of Materials Science and Engineering at the University of California, Irvine, with joint appointments in Chemistry, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, and Physics. She is also a Joint Appointee at Los Alamos National Laboratory. Copp received a B.S. in Physics and Mathematics from the University of Arizona (2011) and a PhD in Physics from UC Santa Barbara (2016). She held a Hoffman Distinguished Postdoctoral Fellowship and L’Oreal USA for Women in Science Fellowship at Los Alamos National Lab, before joining UC Irvine in 2019. At UC Irvine, she leads the Molecular Nanomaterials Lab, whose mission is to harness DNA and synthetic polymers as programmable building blocks for nanoscale materials. Copp has pioneered machine learning approaches to DNA nanomaterials design, including the discovery of DNA-templated silver nanoclusters with sequence-selected atomic sizes and fluorescence colors. Her research has been recognized by recent awards such as the AFOSR Young Investigator Award, DOE Early Career Research Program Award, DEVCOM ARL HBCU/MI Early Career Program Award, and NIH Director’s New Innovator Award. In her spare time, she enjoys running, hiking, and the extreme sport of parenting.
