• Automated image analysis of cell preparations
• In vivo tissue imaging
• Quantitative microscopy with digital micromirror devices
• Lung cancer chemoprevention
• Bioinformatics

My research focuses on the research and development of new means for the detection, grading, and treatment of early, non-invasive cancer and to see these means used clinically. It has long been, recognized that all cancer can be successfully treated at an early stage, including cancer of the lung, breast, cervix, colon and prostate. Towards this goal the multi-disciplinary in which I participate have developed several new devices employing solid state sensors and advanced light sources coupled with computer technology. These devices make previously invisible early cancers readily detectable. We developed a device called the Light Induced Fluorescence Endoscope (LIFE), enabling a more than 2X improvement in early lung cancer detection.

As part of NCI/NIH program grant I participate as part of a multi-disciplinary group to develop, apply and test new macroscopic and microscopic optical technologies for the detection and grading of preinvasive cervical interepithelial neoplasias (CIN).

Another system which we developed is a fully automated microscope which can scan microscope slides for the presence of cancerous cells. This device, too, has now been used in clinical trials for detection of early cervical cancer as well as in research for the lung and the breast and is currently being optimized for monolayer cervical smears. Subtle changes in cells, invisible to the human eye, can now be detected with the automated microscope which indicates the presence of cancerous growth, even in the absence of traditionally diagnostic cells. This effect is known as Malignancy Associated Changes (MAC). This is particularly useful in the quantitative screening of sputum cytology which is the only non-invasive method for detecting early non-invasive lung cancer. To better understand the development of normal tissue into invasive neoplasia we have developed and continue to develop tools to measure nuclear morphology and tissue architecture. The measurements from these tools are being used to quantify this development process and to understand the process through mathematical models.

As part of investigating these areas it became obvious that in the interpretation of biopsies much information was being lost in the translation from a three dimensional biopsy to a two dimensional section. To address this issue we are currently working on two new novel methods of DMD (digital micromirror device, TI) enabled three dimensional microscopic imaging (confocal and tomographic reconstruction microscopy). In addition we are also developing confocal in vivo endoscopic applications.

See Also: Lung Cancer: Lung Cancer Chemoprevention