Lab Director
Anuradha Godavarty
Associate Professor, Biomedical Engineering
Florida International University, Miami, FL
Post Doc.
Dr. Fernando Sebastian Chiwo
Dr. Fernando Sebastian Chiwo Gonzalez joined OIL in April 2023. He completed his PhD in Applied Sciences from the Autonomous University of San Luis Potosi (UASLP) in March 2022. He was an associate researcher at the Center for Advanced Technology until 2023. His current research interest is thermo-optical imaging techniques, biomedical optical signal processing and analysis, and optical-electrical instrumentation for medical applications. In addition to research, Dr. Chiwo likes to listen to rock music all the time, play the guitar, and take long walks in every place he is in.
Graduate Students
Daniela Leizaola – PhD Student
Daniela graduated from FIU in Spring 2021 with a BS in Biomedical Engineering and a minor in Chemistry. Currently working toward her Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering. She joined the Optical Imaging Laboratory in Spring of 2019. Daniela’s research interests focus on determining the effects of skin color on near-infrared imaging devices. Her goal is to identify the extent of error in the NIR images due to skin color and develop a melanin correction. Additionally, she is investigating tissue oxygenation predictors for arterial calcification via mice studies. Aside from research, Daniela is fond of cooking, playing tennis and scuba diving.
Himaddri Shakhar Roy – PhD Student
Himaddri graduated from Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology, Bangladesh, in 2019 with a BS in Electrical and Electronic Engineering. He is currently working toward his Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering. He joined the Optical Imaging Laboratory in the spring of 2023. Himaddri’s research focuses on the clinical application of near-infrared optical imaging and optical devices development for biomedical applications. Apart from research, Himaddri enjoys traveling and playing cricket and badminton.
Aasma Dahal – PhD Student
Aasma joined FIU in Fall 2021, as a Fulbright scholar from Nepal, to pursue a MS in Biomedical Engineering with a specialization in Tissue Model Systems. Driven by her deep-rooted passion for working and developing advanced instruments, Aasma is officially joining the Optical Imaging Lab as a PhD student in Fall 2023 where she wants to advance her knowledge on applying it to the human studies. Her research focus in applying optical imaging technique to cardiovascular and vascular calcification issues. She will be co-advised by Dr. Godavarty and Dr. Hutcheson. Besides her research, Aasma absolutely loves spending time at the beach or going on thrilling treks to the mountains or writing poems.
Nikhil Kumar Reddy – Graduate Student
Nikhil graduated from JNTU Hyderabad, India in 2017 with a BS in Computer Science. He then worked in the software industry for around 5 years and currently towards his master’s degree in Computer Science. He joined the Optical Imaging Laboratory in the Spring of 2023 as a Graduate Research Assistant. He is currently working on the development of the smartphone based mobile apps for telemedicine applications in the field of diabetic foot ulcer management.
Undergraduate Students
Maria Hernandez – Undergraduate Student
Maria is a rising senior pursuing an undergraduate degree in Biomedical Engineering. She joined the Optical Imaging Laboratory in February 2023 and started working as an Undergraduate Laboratory Coordinator. As of Fall 2023 she is also a CURE program researcher with her focus on the development and standardization of optical phantoms, as well as evaluating longitudinal diabetic foot ulcer data. Apart from research Maria enjoys spending time with her family and reading.
Ricardo Avila – Undergraduate Student
Ricardo joined OIL in October 2023. He is currently working on completing his undergraduate degree in Biomedical Engineering. His current focus in our lab is data analysis for phantom studies. When he’s not in the lab or the classroom, he likes to ride his bike and repair GameCube controllers.
Alejandro Martinez – Undergraduate Student
Alejandro joined OIL in October 2023. He is currently working on completing his undergraduate degree in Biomedical Engineering. His current focus in our lab is the development of an application in order to process tissue oxygenation maps. When he’s not in the lab or the classroom, he likes to read and work out.
Sebastian Giraldo – Undergraduate Student
Sebastian joined OIL in February 2024. He is currently working on completing his undergraduate degree in Biomedical Engineering. His current focus in our lab is analyzing tissue oxygenation data for diabetic foot ulcers. When he’s not in the lab or the classroom, he likes to ride his bike and repair GameCube controllers.
Divina Campbell – Undergraduate Student
Divina joined OIL in February 2024. She is currently working on completing her undergraduate degree in Biomedical Engineering. Her current focus in our lab is data analysis for phantom studies towards the validation of skin color correction techniques on NIR images. When she’s not in the lab or the classroom, she likes to read fantasy and mystery novels.
Shirel Belilty – Undergraduate Student
Shirel joined OIL in February 2024. She is currently working on completing her undergraduate degree in Biomedical Engineering. Her current focus in our lab is data analysis for peripheral vascular calcification project and understanding how vascular calcification impacts the peripheral arteries. When she’s not in the lab or the classroom, she likes to play tennis and read.
Charles Policard – Undergraduate Student
Charles joined OIL in February 2024. He is currently working on completing his undergraduate degree in Biomedical Engineering. His current focus in our lab is Monte Carlo simulation on tissue models, and stereoscopic and NIR Camera performance evaluation. When he’s not in the lab or the classroom, he likes to read and watch tv shows.
Stephanie Amaro – Undergraduate Student
Stephanie joined OIL in February 2024. She is currently working on completing her undergraduate degree in Biomedical Engineering. Her current focus in our lab is processing NIR data and analysis of diabetic foot ulcer healing trends. When she’s not in the lab or the classroom, she likes to travel and read.