Nano-Cancer Therapy & Sensing Group

D. Patrick O'Neal

Dr. Patrick O'Neal, PhD
Max Watson, Sr. Associate Professor of Biomedical Engineering

Specialization: Biomedical Optics focused on nanoparticle-based systems for cancer detection and treatment. Other interests include photoplethysmography, nanoparticle pharmacology, fluorescence spectroscopy, surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy, and dynamic light scattering techniques.

Active Research

Nanoparticle development requires advanced imaging techniques including scanning electron microscopy (below). Nanoparticles used in biomedical research must be much smaller than cells to produce cellular and genetic effects. Most of the nanoparticles we use are less than 300 nanometers in diameter, which is less than 1/10th the size of a red blood cell.