Non-Invasive Optical Imaging and Image Analysis of Human Retina and Ear

3D OCT visualization of human retina with age-related macular degeneration.

Perform human subject imaging studies using lab-built optical imaging devices to study disease biomarkers. 

Project description

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is an imaging technology that can non-invasively generate cross-sectional images of tissue. OCT is widely used in eye clinics to diagnose and manage retinal diseases, such as age-related macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy. OCT is also being explored in research programs to study ear structures and function.

In this project, students will perform multiple optical imaging studies using our lab-built OCT devices, to help assess disease biomarkers that can advance disease diagnosis and management methods. Students will work on bioinstrumentation tasks (imaging hardware, electronics, and optics), analyze various image datasets (Python or MATLAB), and/or perform human subject imaging (science communication and IRB-approved protocols). 

Project outcome

Develop image analysis methods
Develop hardware and software skills in imaging instrumentation
Present findings as a poster and/or publish in a journal
Experience with human subject research 

Project details

Timing, eligibility and other details
Length of commitment Longer than a semester; 6-9 months
Start time Spring (January/February)
Summer (May/June) 
In-person, remote, or hybrid? In-Person Project (can only function with in-person engagement) 
Level of collaboration Small group project (2-3 students)
Benefits

Research experience

Academic Credit

Stipend
Who is eligible Rising juniors and senior students that have experience with programming. Preference will be given to engineering students and students with strong physics/optics background. 

Project mentor

Jungeun Won

Assistant Professor of Research

Biomedical Engineering

Phone: (716) 645-4497

Email: jungeunw@buffalo.edu

Start the project

  1. Email the project mentor using the contact information above to express your interest and get approval to work on the project. (Here are helpful tips on how to contact a project mentor.)
  2. After you receive approval from the mentor to start this project, click the button to start the digital badge. (Learn more about ELN's digital badge options.) 
Start the Digital Badge

Preparation activities

Once you begin the digital badge series, you will have access to all the necessary activities and instructions. Your mentor has indicated they would like you to also complete the specific preparation activities below. Please reference this when you get to Step 2 of the Preparation Phase. 

Watch 3 relevant videos about optical coherence tomography.

Watch 'Image Processing in MATLAB' up to Lesson 4.

Keywords

Biomedical Engineering, Imaging, Machine learning, Physics, Electrical Engineering, Optics, Photonics, Microscopy