Honghao Cao’s research focuses on nonlinear microscopy and biomedical imaging in complex biological systems. He develops novel methods for light generation and manipulation to advance the capabilities of optical imaging. These techniques include the design of tunable supercontinuum lasers and label-free metabolic imaging platforms optimized for deep-tissue three-photon microscopy. Currently, Honghao is working on a high-throughput volumetric imaging method enabled by an unexpected discovery of a self-localized pencil beam in nonlinear multimode waveguides at critical power. This approach enables robust, real-time mapping of drug delivery in live 3D multicellular environments, with implications for neuroscience, disease diagnostics, and mechanistic biology. Honghao is a Ph.D. student in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science and the Research Laboratory of Electronics at MIT, working in the Computational Biophotonics Lab under the supervision of Professor Sixian You.
Emma Wawrzynek is a graduate student in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS). She is co-advised by Professor Jeffrey Lang in the Laboratory for Electromagnetic and Electronics Systems group at MIT and Professor Heidi Nakajima in the Eaton Peabody Laboratories (EPL) at Mass Eye and Ear. Her research centers on developing a biocompatible, implantable microphone for fully implanted cochlear implants. Cochlear implants are an assistive hearing device that restores hearing to severely deaf individuals, however, this technology is limited by its dependence on an external microphone. Achieving a fully implanted cochlear implant with an internal microphone would greatly improve the quality of life of its users. Emma spends her time on microphone design, clean-room fabrication, and device testing. She works with Eaton Peabody Labs at Mass Eye and Ear to validate fabricated microphones in human cadaveric ears.