Using optics and photonics to deliver real advances in medicine and biology is what David Sampson, Winthrop Professor of Electrical Engineering, is passionate about—a field called Biophotonics.
"Imagine imaging beneath the surface of tissues with light—seeing through artery walls to detect where ruptures are likely to occur, or diagnosing skin cancers on the spot without needing to cut them out.
'Biophotonics is by definition where mathematical types like engineers meet life scientists. Building successful relationships with researchers from such completely different backgrounds is critical to what we do and makes possible breakthroughs that neither of us could achieve alone," he explains.
"I am inspired by my postgraduate students—they really want to put their mathematical and instrument building skills to work to make a difference to our society. It is not just another day in the lab for them; they are committed to achieving and I totally support that.
"Academic life is so full of opportunity. I spent a recent sabbatical in Florence, Italy - what better place for a person into optics than the seat of Galileo, the father of the telescope. Apart from giving me the chance to work on my Italian, my sabbatical showed me how open Italian researchers were to collaboration on new ideas and to trying new things.
"As well as providing many new collaborators, they have reinvigorated my belief in working with others to reach out to new ideas."
For more information on David's work, visit his home page.
