Michelle Sander
Associate Professor, BME, ECE, MSE
2026 REU Project: Coming Soon
The Sander group explores optical material interactions to develop novel laser sources in the infrared and mid-infrared wavelength regime. Our research focuses on novel ultrafast devices and how ultrafast and photothermal light interactions can fuel new applications in biomedical imaging and material characterization. We study femtosecond pulse generation techniques (1 femtosecond = 10-15 seconds) to advance photonic technologies that modulate and transmit light efficiently. Compact fiber lasers and laser microscope systems are pursued for applications in communications, biomedical diagnostics and treatment, frequency metrology, environmental sensing and spectroscopy.
Previous REU/RET Projects Include:
- Enhanced Contrast of Secondary Protein Structures with Time Resolved Mid-Infrared Photothermal Microscopy (REU, 2025)
- Patterning Graphene with an Ultrafast Laser (REU/RET, 2017)
- Characterization and Imaging with Mid-Infrared Vibrational Photothermal Spectroscopy (RET, 2016)
- Departments
- Biomedical Engineering, Electrical and Computer Engineering, and Materials Science Engineering
- Affiliation
- Faculty
- Program Year
- 2016, 2017, and 2025
- Fields
- Faculty