Meet the People

We are constantly growing and evolving, which results in new opportunities for ambitious people to work in a positive work environment. Whether you are just starting out or an experienced professional, a great future starts here. 

Principal Investigator

Ishan Barman

Professor,
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center
Russell Morgan  Department of Radiology  and Radiological Science

Email: ibarman [at] jhu.edu

Ishan Barman is a Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Johns Hopkins University with joint appointments in the Departments of Oncology and Radiology and Radiological Science. He graduated from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Kharagpur, before moving to Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) for his M.S. and Ph.D. During his doctoral research, he investigated non-invasive blood glucose sensing using vibrational spectroscopy under Professor Michael Feld. He leads an interdisciplinary research group that is focused on the development of cutting-edge biophotonics technologies with the goal of disease detection at early, manageable stages, monitoring therapeutic effects and treatment outcomes, and guiding interventions. The optical tools generated from these investigations have been leveraged in diverse biomedical environments including in automated recognition of biopsy specimen, real-time diagnosis of middle ear pathology, and as a customized monoclonal antibody identification platform. 

Post Doctoral Researchers

Dr. Peng Zheng

I am interested in studying how light interacts with matter on solid-state systems and harnessing it for developing advanced optical tools, such as nanoscale probes, super-resolution techniques, and optical sensing platforms, to tackle difficult questions in physical and biomedical sciences. In my spare time, I enjoy playing soccer, running, swimming, hiking, and canoeing. pzheng7 [at] jhu.edu

Dr. Swati Tanwar

Molecular self-assembly is a promising route to build complex systems with unique biological functions. My current research interest focuses on engineering smart nanodevices using nature’s toolkit, particularly DNA and peptides for photonic and biological applications. stanwar1 [at] jhu.edu

 PHD Students

Pooja Anantha

Employing quantitative phase imaging and Raman spectroscopy, I delve into the morphological and molecular intricacies of cellular processes. Specifically, my focus is on studying the effects of various conditions on rat cortical astrocyte morphology. Additionally, I explore human adipocyte morphology, lipid formation, and composition during the differentiation process.



pananth1 [at] jhu.edu

Lintong Wu

My research interests center on developing nanodevices based on self-assembled DNA nanostructures and DNA nanostructure-directed self-assembly of metal nanoparticles, for the understanding of plasmonic properties in metallic nanostructures and application in nanophotonics, bioimaging, and drug delivery. My hobbies are doing experiments, reading, sports, and cooking. lintongwu [at] jhu.edu

Saransh Arora

Microscopy, Microfabrication, Microfluidics, Microaggressions. What sound does a micro cow make? Mu. Secretly uses lab 3-D printer at night to make toys. Afraid of dogs.saransharora [at] jhu.edu

Arnab Chatterjee

Robotics, Design and Art. Jack of all cards, master of quite a few. Won several design awards. Designer of Hybrid Adaptive transport for United States Marine Corps, winner of 2019 US Navy design hackathon. Research interest: Combining robotics with optics across various disciplines. Hobbies: Hiking, Marksmanship, Racing, concept art. achatt13 [at] jh.edu

Anoushka Gupta

Currently, my research aims towards understanding cartilage degradation and morphomolecular changes in cancer cells with help of optical techniques. In my free time, I like to play table tennis and read books. 

agupt130 [at] jh.edu  

Michael Ka Ho Lee

I am a 1st year Ph.D. student in the Barman Lab. I am interested in combining MEMS with Biophotonics for medical applications. My current research focuses on using Quantitative Phase Imaging and Raman Spectrometer for biochemical detection. In my free time, I enjoy playing sports and weightlifting. 

mlee327 [at] jh.edu  

 MSE Students

Sunwoo Kim

My main academic interest centers on artificial intelligence, particularly long-term autonomy, embodied machine learning, and computer vision. I like to play instruments like guitar and sports in my free time.  


skim561@jh.edu


Jason Zhong

I’m a 5th-year combined BS/MSE Master’s student studying mechanical engineering with a concentration in aerospace and incoming Flight Controls engineer at Boeing, where I spent the past two summers working with the 777X Autoflight team. Experience in multidisciplinary design, where my team developed a novel winning solution to access the untapped hydropower potential of America’s dams. Nationally ranked powerlifter, coach, and former president of the Hopkins Barbell Club.


jzhong19@jh.edu 

Ray Chen

Passionate about product design & development. Currently designing and building prototypes for a novel autonomous UAS system using finite element analysis, 3D printing, and all that fun stuff. I like to spend my free time doing photography, practicing or learning recipes, and playing video games.


rchen72@jhu.edu

Undergraduate Students

Zuriel Erikson Joven 

My research interests include low-cost and non-invasive diagnostics, intersections of optics and medical robotics, quantitative and statistical methods for biological modeling and spectroscopy, and applications of architected materials in biomechanics. In my free time I enjoy firespinning, tennis, game development, and playing Minecraft. 

zjoven1 [at] jhu.edu

Owen Bartlett

My research interests are focused on efficient UAV swarm control and communication. I work with the software development of mission scripts, computer vision, and precision landing as well as the testing of any physical development. I play on the Hopkins Waterpolo team and my hobbies include working out, travel, listening to music, surfing and skiing. 

obartle1[at] jhu.edu

Eloise Martenson

My research interests include robotics, subsystem mechanical design, and the integration of vision systems with robotics. I love breaking down and solving system level engineering challenges. In my free time I enjoy hiking, running, fishing, and reading. 


emarten2@jh.edu

Gabriel Ruiz

My research interests mainly surround mechanical design, robotics, and botany.  I am to develop robotics for medical applications and maybe build novel renewable energy sources. In my free time I enjoy taking care of orchids and succulents, designing products, and sometimes playing videogames. 


gruiz4@jh.edu

Andrew Gilbert 

I am a second-year student studying Computer Science and Applied Mathematics & Statistics. My research and academic interests include multi-agent reinforcement learning, deep transfer learning, and optimization. In my free time, I enjoy discussing philosophy, skiing, and playing the guitar.


agilbe36@jh.edu

Louis Lapp

My research interests lie in unifying mechanical systems with data analytics. My work includes developing Arctic sea ice forecasts by combining machine learning, Fourier transform, and data visualization techniques. I am currently focusing on autonomous swarm drones. Outside of research, I enjoy mountain biking, hiking, photography, and astronomy.


llapp1@jh.edu

Visiting Scholars

Marwan El Chazli

I'm a visiting scholar from EPFL, Switzerland with a background in microengineering & biomedical technologies. My research interests include the use of Raman spectroscopy for the detection of pathogenic bacteria.   

melchaz1 [at] jhu.edu

Alumni

Postdoctoral Fellows

Doctoral Students

MSE Students

Visiting Scientists

Visiting Graduate and Undergraduate Students

Undergraduate Research Advisees