Dr. Nicholas Durr

Biography

Nicholas Durr is an Associate Professor and Co-Director of the Undergraduate Design Team program at the Johns Hopkins University in the Department of Biomedical Engineering. He holds secondary appointments in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering and in Ophthalmology at the Wilmer Eye Institute. Durr's research focuses on the development of innovative optical technologies that enhance diagnostics and promote high-quality healthcare. His lab's work particularly emphasizes computational biophotonics, whereby new structured light techniques are integrated with intelligent algorithms to analyze light interactions with biological tissues. Current projects include advancements in smart endoscopy technologies for cancer screening, non-invasive blood analysis microscopy techniques, and the optimization of imaging systems for computer-aided disease detection. Durr has co-founded PlenOptika, Inc., a company aimed at improving eye care through affordable technological solutions and has received multiple awards for his contributions to the field, including the Johns Hopkins Capers Marion McDonald Award for Excellence in Mentoring. He completed his Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at the University of California, Berkeley, and earned both his Master’s and Doctoral degrees in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Texas, Austin.

Research Interests