CURRENT RESEARCH PROJECTS
I am now a graduate student in the UC Berkeley Computational Imaging Lab. Computational imaging leverages the co-design of both hardware and algorithms to push the capabilities of imaging systems such as microscopes, telescopes, cell-phone cameras, MRI machines, etc. We operate at the intersection of optics, signal processing, optimization, and machine learning.
My Ph.D. focus is applying computational techniques to hyperspectral imaging to build compact devices with new capabilities for biology and medicine. I am looking for collaborators and experts in this field. I also have knowledge/experience in a variety of imaging techniques including:
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Raman spectroscopy
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Fluorescence (Confocal, wide-field, super-resolution)
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Lifetime (TCSPC)
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Optical Coherence Tomography
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Proton Imaging
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Phase Imaging (2D or 3D)
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Fourier Ptychography
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Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR/MRI)
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Lensless Imaging
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Digital Pathology
Spectral Snapshot Microscopy Using Compressed Sensing:
Our group recently has shown a compact architecture for snapshot hyperspectral imaging using compressed sensing in this journal paper. I am currently working on adapting this architecture for microscopy. We aim to build a compact attachment that can turn any benchtop fluorescence microscope into a spectral imaging system. This is useful for biological cell imaging and bioassays for drug discovery. I presented this work at the Focus on Microscopy 2022 international conference, and you can watch the talk here. I am also supervising an undergraduate student in building the compact prototype for this project.
Computational Spectrometer for Mobile Optical Coherence Tomography:
Our group is collaborating with the Bowden Lab at Vanderbilt University to design a compact diffusive spectrometer that can act as a detector for mobile optical coherence tomography (OCT). OCT is biological imaging technique that is currently clinically used for diagnosing retinal diseases. We aim to make it more portable and affordable for field use. To do this, we are looking to replace the traditional grating in the spectrometer with a dispersive element and computational inverse problem to reduce the size.
Tech Transfer Opportunities in Digital Pathology:
I took a class called Impact Startup Launchpad in Fall 2021 with the hopes of finding a problem in womens' health diagnostics that could benefit from advances in computational imaging. I spoke with several pathologists and gynecologists and discovered that there is an opportunity in cervical cancer screening to leverage phase imaging. I am starting to look into the technical feasibility of this approach and interested in speaking with experts in the area.
PREVIOUS RESEARCH PROJECTS
Time-Resolved Raman and Fluorescence Spectroscopy for Tissue Diagnostics:
My Masters research at MIT focused on Raman spectroscopy of skin for noninvasive diagnostics (glucose sensing, cancer detection). Over two years, I designed and built several high sensitivity electro-optic instruments for demonstrating new measurements on in vitro skin tissue. I also developed new biological protocols as the first person working with reconstructed skin tissue in our lab. You can find the full write up in my thesis.
Masters in EECS at the MIT in the Physical Optics & Electronics Group led by Prof. Rajeev Ram 2016-2018.
Compact Energy Modulator for Proton Imaging:
I worked with a team of three other MIT students on class project for our Medical Device Design Capstone. We went through the engineering design process to solve a problem pitched by research physicists at the Massachusetts General Hospital Proton Therapy Center. Proton radiation therapy is used to treat cancers near vital organs. Our compact proton beam energy modulator would help enable imaging of tumors using protons which improves the precision of treatment. We published our design and results in my first-authored journal paper and patent.
MIT Class Final Project: Medical Device Design 2016.
Carbon Nanomaterial Production and Analysis
I created my own after-school research internship as a high school student at Rice University. I was gratefully mentored by Dr. Alvin Orbaek in Prof Andrew Barron's Research Group. Carbon nanotubes have wide applications from electricity grids to drug delivery. I experimented with using a chemical vapor deposition oven to grow multi-walled carbon nanotubes. I analyzed the samples using Raman spectroscopy (my first intro) and electron microscopy (first time I heard "Fourier Transforms"). I presented my research at the International Science Fair in 2015 & 2016 and co-authored my first peer-reviewed journal paper. This experience sparked my dream of pursuing a Ph.D. one day. 2010-2012.
PUBLICATIONS
Patents
Journal Articles
Theses
In the Media
M. Rosenburg, Practicum: Directing Einsteins’ Dreams, MIT News, Jun 2017
M. Tenenbaum, Learning to Think Like an Engineer, MIT News, Mar 2016
P. Sampson.Voltage: A new community of electrical engineers, MIT News, May 2015
C. Ziervogel, Passion Impels Her, Fort Bend Lifestyles and Homes, Jul 2011