Professor Ji-Xin Cheng receives SPIE Biophotonics Technology Innovator Award
by Lea Rivel
Professor Ji-Xin Cheng is the recipient of the 2024 SPIE Biophotonics Technology Innovator Award. He earned this prestigious award for the “invention and commercialization of mid-infrared photothermal microscopy that allows highly sensitive dye-free bond-selective imaging of living cells and organisms.” The mIRage system, based on Cheng’s IP on mid-infrared photothermal microscopy and produced by Photothermal Spectroscopy Corp at Santa Barbara, has been delivered to over 100 research labs in 15 countries worldwide.
SPIE, one of the most prominent professional societies in optics and photonics, presents the Biophotonics Technology Innovator Award for “extraordinary achievements in biophotonics technology development that show strong promise or potential impact in biology, medicine, and biomedical optics.” According to their website, the award focuses on achievements that span across multiple disciplines and may include elements of basic research, technology development, or clinical translation. Awardees receive an honorarium of $2,000 for the achievement.
A pioneering developer of chemical imaging and cell modulation techniques, Professor Cheng holds additional appointments in Biomedical Engineering and Photonics. He is the Moustakas Chair Professor of Photonics and Optoelectronics, and has more than 300 published articles, 30 patents and multiple companies to his name. He focuses much of his work on imaging technology for biomedical applications, and has had notable success in bringing the products of academic research to industry and commercial production. In 2022, Cheng was named Boston University’s Innovator of the Year in honor of this affinity for practical research applications. His recent honors include the 2020 Pittsburgh Spectroscopy Award and the 2019 Ellis R. Lippincott Award. He is a Fellow of both Optica and AIMBE.