Media

Our probe-based light sheet microscopy platform was recently featured in the University of Arizona Cancer Center’s September 2025 news for its potential to transform anal cancer screening. The article highlights our $1.4M NIH-funded development of a compact, noninvasive imaging probe designed for real-time, high-resolution tissue visualization, aiming to improve diagnostic accuracy, reduce unnecessary biopsies, and expand to other epithelial cancers.

Our work was prominently featured in the University of Arizona Cancer Center’s January 23, 2024. The article highlights Dr. Kang’s transition from mentee to mentor, shedding light on how his NIH-funded smartphone-based confocal microscopy initiatives for skin and cervical cancer diagnosis in Uganda and Arizona are now driving the mentorship and growth of students in his lab.

Our handheld confocal microscopy platform was recently highlighted in BioPhotonics (Nov/Dec 2022, pg. 38) for its potential to revolutionize point-of-care diagnostics in low-resource settings. The article showcases a smartphone-integrated, portable reflectance confocal microscope engineered for rapid, in vivo imaging of skin and mucosal cancers. It emphasizes the system’s affordability, mobility, and clinical relevance, underscoring our lab’s commitment to translating advanced imaging innovations into real-world impact.

“This partnership has the potential to transform vision care, particularly in rural communities where access to such care may be limited,” he said. “By leveraging existing technology in an innovative way to improve the patient experience, this work speaks directly to the university’s core values of adaptation and compassion. I look forward to following Dr. Kang’s progress in creating a new gold standard for corneal imaging.” 

PCM is a low-cost reflectance confocal microscopy technique but its image quality is often degraded by motion blur. This study takes a deep learning-based approach using CARE to reduce noise in confocal images obtained at high speed.

Our translational optical imaging research was highlighted in the Spring 2020 issue of Arizona Alumni Magazine. The article showcases our efforts to develop a portable, smartphone-based confocal microscope designed to enable accessible, point-of-care cancer screening, especially in low-resource settings. We’re honored to be recognized alongside other innovative optical technologies advancing high-tech health care at the University of Arizona’s BIO5 Institute.

Our work was featured in the January–February 2020 issue of Global Health Matters by the NIH Fogarty International Center. The spotlight is on our innovative smartphone-based confocal microscope, a Fogarty-granted project that enables real-time, low-cost diagnosis of Kaposi’s sarcoma in Uganda and is being expanded to screen for cervical cancer. This handheld device—built at approximately $4,200 and weighing just 2 lb—is transforming on-site diagnostics by eliminating the need for biopsies or return visits, supporting timely “screen-and-treat” care in low-resource settings.

“We’re streamlining the process to enable onsite, real-time, single-visit diagnoses … Now the patient doesn’t have to come back…” — Dr. Kang

Our work was highlighted in SPIE’s February 2020 article, which explored emerging optical technologies and innovations transforming health care. The piece recognized our smartphone-based handheld confocal microscope as an example of how miniaturized optical tools can expand access to early cancer diagnostics, aligning with the vision of BIO5 leadership.

Our work was highlighted in the Arizona Daily Star (December 2018) for efforts to create affordable, smartphone-based imaging tools for early detection of cervical cancer. The article showcases collaborations at the University of Arizona aimed at developing innovative endoscopic technologies to expand access to life-saving gynecological screenings in low-resource settings.

Our work was spotlighted by the University of Arizona Engineering News (November 14, 2018) in the feature “Stopping Cancer With a Smartphone.” The article highlights our development of an affordable, smartphone-mounted confocal microscope designed for non-invasive, point-of-care imaging of Kaposi’s sarcoma and cervical precancer in rural Africa, enabled by a $400K Fogarty International Center grant. This portable device—costing under $3,000 and operable by clinical technicians—allows same-day diagnosis and treatment with cryotherapy, helping reduce patient travel and wait times.