MSc, PhD and Chartered Physicist/Biophysicist, has a considerable (about 20 years) experience in developing novel optical diagnostic techniques for various bio-medical and industrial applications. His research interests lie at the interface between physics, medicine and biological sciences, focusing on the development of new non-invasive imaging/diagnostic techniques and their applications in medicine and biology, material sciences, pharmacy, food and health care industries (see the current/recent research activities here). He is author and co-author over 160 papers in peer-reviewed scientific journals, conference proceedings and book chapters; over 220 presentations at a range of international conferences and symposia, including over 100 invited lectures and plenary talks. He is NZ Node Leader at the Biophotonics4Life (BP4L) Worldwide Consortium.
Igor's Email
He received MSc in Electrical Engineering from Instituto Tecnológico de Cd. Madero, Mexico in 2001 and worked for seven years as an electrical engineering consultant for industry. In 2001 he joined Universidad Autónoma de Tamaulipas, Mexico as a partial time teacher. He received a PhD degree in advanced technology from Instituto Politecnico Nacional, Mexico 2011. He is the post-doctoral research fellow in Biophotonics in Otago since May 2012. His current research interests include laser tissue interaction, non-invasive imaging techniques, Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT), Polarization Sensitive OCT, Doppler OCT and its applications in biology and medicine.
Adrián's Email
Physics PhD candidate working in the Biophotonics & Biomedical Imaging Research Group. He received a Master's degree in Electronic Engineering with an emphasis on Image Processing from Saint-Petersburg State University of Information Technologies, Mechanics and Optics, St. Petersburg, Russia in 2009. He is a chartered Microsoft Certified Professional Developer (MCPD). From 2006 to 2009, he was a senior programmer at Wizardsoft Ltd developing various business-oriented software systems. His research interests include biophotonics, light-tissue interaction, Monte Carlo computational modelling, parallel programming on GPUs using NVIDIA CUDA, optical imaging (OCT, PS-OCT, Doppler OCT, NIRS), image processing, development of high-performance computing systems and algorithm optimization techniques for biomedical/optical diagnostics needs. He is the Physics Postgraduate Representative, President of Otago University OSA/SPIE Student Chapter and developer of the Biophotonics & Biomedical Imaging Research Group website and its provided services.
Alex's Email
BSc (honours) graduate in Physics from the University of Otago. He has been involved with the Biophotonics & Imaging Research Group since 2009, and is currently pursuing a PhD degree. Callum's current areas of interest include light-tissue interactions, Optical Coherence Tomography, and Polarization Sensitive Imaging of biological structures.
Callum's Email
Currently studying for a BSc (honours) in Physics and Physiology at the University of Otago. In the 2010-2011 summer he worked on an awareness study into the possible biomedical applications of optical coherence tomography (OCT) and has currently returned to work on polarized sensitive detection of neo-plastic changes involved in colorectal cancer.
Anthony's Email
Completed a BSc (honours) degree in Physics at the University of Otago in 2010. He was studying for the degree of Master of Science. His research explores the use of coherent backscattering as a new diagnostic tool with the applications in medicine and biology. Joseph's research interests include biophotonics, light-tissue interaction, image processing, and non-invasive diagnostics/imaging techniques.
Joseph's Email
Was a member in 2011. Has completed a diploma course of studies in Biomedical Engineering at the University of Applied Sciences Mittelhessen, Germany in March, 2010. Subsequently he started a postgraduate degree in Medical Physics at the interface between Medical Physics at the University of Applied Sciences Mittelhessen and the Biophotonics & Biomedical Imaging at the University of Otago. His domain primarily deals with the application of Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) for assessment of transcutaneous vaccine delivery and skin blood microcirculation study. Research interests include non-invasive biomedical diagnostics and optical imaging techniques, light-tissue interaction, image processing, Doppler OCT.
Tschackad's Email
Was a member in 2011. Has a diploma degree in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Applied Sciences Mittelhessen, Germany. Afterwards he started with a Master of Science at the interface between Medical Physics at the University of Applied Sciences Mittelhessen and the Biophotonics & Biomedical Imaging at the University of Otago. His research studies are focused on the study of propagation of circular polarized light in fibrous connective tissues influenced by optical clearing. The research interests are the Light-Tissue interaction, Fluorescence Imaging, Biophotonics, Image processing, PS-OCT and non-invasive optical diagnostics and imaging techniques.
Ersin's Email
Was a member in 2010. MChem student studying Chemical Biology at the Univerrsity of Oxford. He worked in Biophotonics & Biomedical Imaging Research Group in Autumn 2010 working on laser mediated silver nanoparticle synthesis in collaboration with Dr Carla J. Meledandri. In 2010 he recieved an AstraZeneca research bursary and has completed a summer internship at their R&D facility in Alderly Park, UK.
Elisey's Email
Associate Professor Sarah Hook, New Zealand's National School of Pharmacy, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand Web Page
Professor Michael Eccles, Department of Pathology, Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand Web Page
Dr Peter Davidson, Centre for Bioengineering & Nanomedicine, Centre for Innovation, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand Web Page
Professor Tony Poole, Orthopaedic Surgery Section, Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand Web Page
Associate Professor Liz Franz, Department of Psychology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand Web Page
Dr Carla J. Meledandri, Department of Chemistry, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand Web Page
Dr Ruth Empson, Department of Physiology, School of Medical Science, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand Web Page
The Group is located within the Department of Physics at the University of Otago in the Science III building at the north-west corner of the campus on the corner of Cumberland and St. David Streets. The office is on the first floor.