Dr. Lihong Wang

Professor

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Biography

Professor Wang's research focuses on biomedical imaging. His lab has developed photoacoustic imaging, which allows for noninvasive observation of biological tissues. Compared to conventional optical microscopy, these techniques achieve increased penetration by orders of magnitude, breaking the optical diffusion limit. The Wang lab has invented functional photoacoustic tomography, 3D photoacoustic microscopy, optical-resolution photoacoustic microscopy, photoacoustic Doppler effect, photoacoustic reporter gene imaging, microwave-induced thermoacoustic tomography, universal photoacoustic reconstruction algorithm, time-reversed ultrasonically encoded optical focusing, and compressed ultrafast photography, which is the world's fastest camera capable of taking 10 trillion frames per second. By combining rich optical contrast with scalable ultrasonic resolution, the photoacoustic imaging modality can provide multiscale high-resolution structural, functional, metabolic, and molecular imaging of organelles, cells, tissues, and small-animal organisms in vivo. Broad applications include early cancer detection, surgical guidance, and brain imaging, aiding surgeons in effectively removing breast cancer lumps and minimizing follow-up surgeries. Professor Wang's Monte Carlo model for photon transport in scattering media is used worldwide as a standard tool.

Research Interests

Courses

MedE 100 abc – Medical Engineering Seminar MedE/EE/BE 168 abc – Biomedical Optics: Principles Imaging

Requirements for California Institute of Technology

Doctorate Program
Requirements
TOEFL
Total
Required:100
IELTS
Overall
Required:7
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree or equivalent Strong background in mathematics and physical sciences
Application Checklist
  • Online Application
  • Statement of Purpose
  • Three Letters of Recommendation
  • Transcripts
  • Resume/CV
Specialization Notes

Most Caltech graduate programs are PhD-only. GRE General and Subject tests vary by department; many have made them optional or no longer accept them.