Optics and the Brain (Brain)
Events
Optics and the Brain (Brain)
26 - 29 April 2026 | The Westin Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort | Fort Lauderdale, Florida UNITED STATES
Brain focuses on innovative research, tools and techniques to increase fundamental knowledge about the brain and nervous system.
The USA BRAIN Initiative and the European Human Brain Project have identified the urgent need for new technologies that can probe the working brain across all levels from single neurons to entire behaving organisms. Optics offers a unique toolkit for multiscale imaging the living and intact brain, while new genetic labeling strategies provide optical contrast to neural function and optogenetics permits the control of cellular function with light.
By bringing together an international group of leading engineers, optical and medical scientists, biologists, chemists and physicians, the meeting reflects the highly interdisciplinary area of research within this topic. This meeting serves as a forum for discussion of existing and emerging techniques as well as future directions capable of shedding new light on the healthy and diseased brain.
Optica Biophonics Congress
Topic Categories
Optics and the Brain (Brain)
- Optics in the human central nervous system and peripheral nerves
- Functional near infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS)
- Diffuse optical spectroscopy and tomography (DOS/DOT)
- Diffuse correlation spectroscopy (DCS)
- Speckle Contrast Optical Spectroscopy (SCOS)
- Wearable systems
- Brain computer interfaces (BCI)
- Intrasurgical brain optical imaging
- Fiber-optic probes, spectroscopy and endoscopic imaging
- Optical modulation of the human central nervous system
- Retinal neuroscience
- Speckle contrast
- Vascular, metabolic modeling and imaging
- Clinical applications
- Coherence tomography, non-invasive techniques, hyperspectral imaging
- Rethinking scan patterns and shaping light
- Light sheet microscopy
- Wavefront engineering
- Adaptive optics
- Structured illumination
- Temporal focusing
- Non-gaussian beam shaping
- Holography
- Structural and super-resolution techniques
- Resolution improvement techniques
- Fluorophores design and optimization
- Use of super-resolution
- Particle tracking
- Molecular and biophysical processes
- Analyzing circuitry, network function and information processing
- Model systems for network studies
- Hybrid theoretical-experimental approaches to network analysis
- Models of network inference
- Imaging strategies optimized for network analysis
- Deciphering functions from activity data
- Multiscale imaging of brain activity
- Functional microscopy
- Optogenetics, genetic encoding and novel probes
- Optode and electrode hardware for excitation and/or recording
- Use of miniature microscopes with optogenetics
- Genetically encoded calcium and voltage indicators
- Novel forms of functional contrast
- New genetic strategies for optogenetics
- Modeling and overcoming scatter in optogenetics
- Challenges of scaling up optogenetics to non-human primates
- Scattering, clearing and wavefront engineering
- Advances in light sheet microscopy
- Novel techniques for in-vitro whole-brain imaging and actuation
- Zebrafish, drosophila and similar small organisms
- Clearing techniques and structural imaging, animal to human
- Optical data management and analysis strategies
- Adaptive optics strategies
- Brain physiology and disease
- Application of optical spectroscopy and imaging systems to the study of the brain in both health and disease (i.e., Alzheimer's, stroke, epilepsy, autism etc.)
- Models of brain diseases and optical tools
- Photothrombosis
- Optical therapeutics
- Photodynamic therapy
- Neuromodulation strategies
- Functional brain imaging & neurodevelopment
- Resting-state functional connectivity
- Optical intrinsic signal imaging
- Cognitive & neurodevelopment
- Big data tools (collection, management, reduction, analysis)
- Rapid imaging strategies
- Serial slices imaging
- Large field-of-view and space-bandwidth microscopes
- Compression strategies
- Data management tools
- Machine learning and Artificial Intelligence
- Software tools and data formats
- ML data augmentation; high density datasets
- Optical hybrids
- Photoacoustics / optoacoustics
- Acousto-optic approaches
- Acoustic modulation of neural activity
- Combined optical / PET / CT / MRI
- Combined electrical/optical
- Integrated photo acoustic, ultrasound and angiographic tomography (PAUSAT) and photothermal infrared microscopy
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Committee Members
Cristina Rodriguez, Yale University, United States
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Plenary Speakers
Emmanuel Beaurepaire
École Polytechnique, FRANCE
Color and multicontrast multiphoton imaging of brain and scattering tissue
Multiphoton imaging is popular for tissue studies due to its capability to maintain subcellular resolution in scattering samples. It also enables multiparametric imaging when combining wavelengths, polarization and nonlinear responses. The talk will discuss advances in high-information content microscopy.
About the Speaker
Emmanuel Beaurepaire is a tissue multiphoton microscopy specialist. He works at the Laboratory for Optics and Biosciences (LOB) at École Polytechnique in Palaiseau, France, where he is a research director appointed by the CNRS. The LOB microscopy group has pioneered several multiphoton imaging developments, including multicolor and label-free nonlinear imaging, two-photon light-sheet excitation and wavefront control. These developments aim to address issues of complexity, speed and depth in tissue imaging. We apply these strategies to study embryonic and nervous tissue development and to develop optical diagnostics.
YongKeun Park
KAIST, REPUBLIC OF KOREA
Holotomography for 3D Biology and Regenerative Medicine: From Fundamental Optics to Real-World Clinical Impact
Holotomography enables quantitative, label-free 3D imaging of living cells and tissues. I will present recent advances in 3D imaging platforms, virtual staining with AI and emerging clinical applications, spanning digital pathology, regenerative medicine, IVF and biomanufacturing.
About the Speaker
YongKeun (Paul) Park is a Professor of Physics at KAIST and Director of the Virtual 3D Biology Center. His team has developed techniques in quantitative phase imaging and holotomography, bridging fundamental optics with biological and clinical applications. He has published more than 200 peer-review journals with +21K citations. As Cofounder and CEO of Tomocube Inc., he has led the commercialization of holotomography platforms used in around 200 research institutes and hospitals worldwide. His current work integrates computational imaging, 3D cell biology, and AI-driven cell analyses for applications in digital pathology and reproductive and regenerative medicine. He is a Fellow of Optica (OSA) and SPIE.
Rebecca Richards-Kortum
Rice University, UNITED STATES
From Cells to Surgery: Deep Learning Microscopy for Precision Oncology
Deep-learning-enabled microscopy overcomes optical limits of conventional imaging by rapidly generating large-scale, slide-free cellular and vascular maps at high resolution, enabling early point-of-care cancer detection and intraoperative margin assessment in resource-limited settings.
About the Speaker
Rebecca Richards-Kortum is a bioengineer dedicated to developing low-cost medical technologies to improve global health. As the Malcolm Gillis University Professor at Rice University, she leads interdisciplinary teams creating innovative imaging systems and diagnostics for early cancer detection and newborn and maternal care in resource-limited settings. Her work has led to patented devices, clinical impact across more than 40 countries and adoption in global health programs. A MacArthur Fellow and passionate educator, she co-founded programs training students to apply engineering to health challenges. She is a member of the US National Academies of Engineering, Science, and Medicine, reflecting broad impact across research, education and policy.
Faisal Mahmood
Harvard University, UNITED STATES
Generative, and Agentic AI for Biomedicine
Generative and agentic AI are transforming biomedicine. In this talk we will present advances in computational pathology, weakly supervised whole-slide learning, multimodal biomarkers, foundation models, generative copilots, and 3D pathology, and the development of a multimodal temporal patient foundation model enabling retrieval, forecasting, and interpretable clinical decision support.
About the Speaker
Dr. Faisal Mahmood is the Director of the MGB AI Research Center and an Associate Professor at Harvard Medical School. He is a full member of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute / Harvard Cancer Center, an Associate Member of the Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT. His laboratory works on developing foundation models, generative and agentic AI algorithms, methods, and techniques for healthcare with a particular focus on disease diagnosis, prognosis and therapeutic response prediction. Dr. Mahmood's lab has developed several widely used methods and algorithms for digital and computational pathology and his labs works has been published in major scientific journals.
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Invited Speakers
Optics and the Brain (Brain)
- Adam Bauer, Washington University in St Louis, United States
Optical Mapping of Brain Function in Mice: Circuits to Behaviors - Audrey Bowden, Vanderbilt University,
fNIRS for Everyone - Xiaojun Cheng, Boston University,
Speckle-based Techniques for Mapping Mouse and Human Brain Dynamics - Robert Cooper, University College London,
From Bench to Bedside: Ongoing Development of a Multi-parameter Optical Neuromonitor Based on Interferometric Time-resolved Optical Sensing - Tiffany Ko, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, United States
Neurometabolic Optical Monitoring During Pediatric Extracorporeal Life Support - Duc Trung Nguyen, UT Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas,
Omni Oblique Plane Microscope (omniOPM): A Modular Light-Sheet Platform for Imaging Across Scales - Philip O’Herron, Augusta University, United States
Probing Neurovascular Coupling Using Combined Optical and Electrophysiological Techniques - Mitchell Robinson, Massachusetts General Hospital, United States
Depth-Enhanced Diffuse Optical Brain Monitoring: Technologies and Clinical Applications - Xunbin Wei, Peking University, China
Light Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease - Yi Xue, University of California Davis, United States
FOCUS: Intensity-based Scattering Correction for Deep Brain Imaging - Masayuki Yazawa, Columbia University, United States
Live Cell Fluorescent Imaging for Pyruvate & Lactate
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Special Events and Programs
Bridging Engineering and Critical-Care for Optical Neuromonitoring (BEACON)
Saturday, 25 April 09:00 - 16:00
This full-day consortium brings together clinicians and engineers to discuss state-of-the-art optical neuromonitoring technologies for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) patients.
The main three goals are:
(1) Bring together clinicians and engineers for direct conversation about challenges and opportunities for optical neuromonitoring in ECMO care.
(2) Document current strengths, gaps and opportunities through structured SWOT analysis for group dissemination.
(3) Establish connections for new collaborations and fundable projects. To achieve this, the meeting will feature clinical and engineering keynote addresses, two 90-minute topic-focused sessions, each with 4-6 short (10m) panelist talks followed by a 30m panel discussion.
The event will conclude with an interactive SWOT analysis to summarize discussion, document key challenges and opportunities and establish next steps for this new working group. Optica Members Only. RSVP Required. Please RSVP here.
Sponsored By: Optica Technical Group on Tissue Imaging and Spectroscopy
Biophotonics Industry Lunch & Learn: Meet the Employers
Sunday, 26 April 12:00 - 13:30
Oceanside
Join us for the Lunch and Learn on Sunday, 26 April, during the Optica Biophotonics Congress. This interactive session will feature insights and discussions from leading companies in the field, including Single Quantum, Light Conversion, INO and PIONIRS. Attendees will enjoy lunch while learning about emerging technologies, industry perspectives and opportunities for collaboration across the optics and photonics community.
From Fiber to Brain Implants: Navigating a Career in Biophotonics & Neurotechnology
Monday, 27 April 12:00 - 13:00
Bonnet
How do you go from working with optical fibers to building implantable devices for the brain? A candid and interactive session on navigating interdisciplinary research, career pivots and translating photonics into real-world impact — where in vivo sensing serves as a key pathway toward clinical translation. This session is designed for undergraduate and graduate students who aspire to build impactful careers in technology while navigating their academic and professional paths.
The Impact of AI on Biophotonics Research
Tuesday, 28 April 14:00 - 15:30
This panel discussion will examine the expanding role of artificial intelligence (AI) across the biophotonics research spectrum, from basic discovery science to translational and clinical applications. Panelists will highlight how AI is being used to analyze complex biological data, generate new hypotheses and accelerate the translation of fundamental findings into practical tools and therapies. The discussion will also address key challenges, including data integration, model interpretability, reproducibility and ethical considerations and will emphasize the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration. Overall, the panel will underscore AI’s potential to enhance biophotonics research at multiple levels while highlighting the need for responsible and rigorous implementation and standardization. This panel discussion is a joint event by the Clinical and Translational Biophotonics, Optical Coherence Tomography and Optical Tomography and Spectroscopy Topicals. Please note this panel is part of the technical program and accessible to full technical registrants only.
Moderator
Sanathana Konugolu Venkata Sekar
Tyndall National Institute, IRELAND
Panelists
Helena Diez
Optica, UNITED KINGDOM
Jonathan Liu
Stanford University, UNITED STATES
Faisal Mahmood
Harvard University, UNITED STATES
Nishant Mohan
Boston University, UNITED STATES
Lingyan Shi
University of California San Diego, UNITED STATES
Organizers
Sanathana Konugolu Venkata Sekar
Tyndall National Institute, IRELAND
Danuta Sampson
Lions Eye Institute, AUSTRALIA
Laura Di Sieno
Politecnico di Milano, ITALY
Martin Villiger
Harvard University, UNITED STATES
Alex Walsh
Texas A&M University, UNITED STATES
Junjie Yao
Duke University, UNITED STATES
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Industry Program
Two Industry Sessions at the Optica Biophotonics Congress 2026 will explore how innovative ideas are successfully turned into a marketable product. These sessions will also foster discussion on the key factors that drive market adoption and overall product success.
Industry Chairs
Kate Bechtel
Ripple Medical, USA
Congress Industry Chair
Marco Arrigoni
Light Conversion, USA
Congress Industry Vice Chair
Panel Session I: Is Helping Patients Enough? What Makes for a Successful Product
Tuesday, 28 April 17:00 - 18:30
Las Ojas I,II,V,VI
Researchers want their technology to be used by patients around the world, fulfilling an underlying driver for their work. A possible path to realize this goal involves commercialization of this technology via a major player in the market that can handle final development and distribution. This session will discuss what makes a particular technology attractive to a company. How is the unmet need being solved to address a market, with considerations, for example, of assessing fit into existing workflows, cost margins and general risk reduction.
Two invited speakers from large medical device companies will weigh in on what they look for during discovery - both internal and via acquisition. The presentations will be followed by a Q&A opportunity with additional panelists.
The panel will be followed by a networking reception to provide an opportunity to continue important conversations and network with industry representatives.
Speakers
Blake Axelrod
BD, UNITED STATES
Panelists
Conor Evans
Wellman Center for Photomedicine, UNITED STATES
Alexa Hudnut
ŌURA, UNITED STATES
Industry Engagement Networking Event
Tuesday, 28 April 18:30 - 17:00
The Industry Chairs are organizing an engagement event to provide an opportunity to continue important conversations and network with industry representatives. Details will be provided soon.
Panel Session II: Building an Effective Start-up
Wednesday, 29 April 10:30 - 12:00
Las Ojas I,II,V,VI
Start-up companies fill a gap between early stage research and de-risked technology or a completed product. Founders must consider how to structure product development to achieve their goals in the time frame of the funding runway. Critical to this is defining the end game at the beginning - what does success look like to you as a founder? How are milestones and funding rounds planned to maximize likelihood of this success?
Two invited speakers will share their experiences. The presentations will be followed by a Q&A opportunity with additional panelists.
Speakers
Stephen Boppart
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, UNITED STATES
Trevor McCaw
Ripple Medical, UNITED STATES
Panelists
Giulio Cerullo
Cambridge Raman Imaging Ltd, UNITED KINGDOM
Jean-Pierre Bouchard
Institut National d'Optique, CANADA
