Eric J. Seibel, Ph.D.

Research Assistant Professor, Mechanical Engineering and Adjunct Bioengineering

Assistant Director for Technology Development, HIT Lab

Eric received his Ph.D. in 1996 from the University of Washington's Department of Bioengineering. His dissertation involved the design, construction, and publication of the first application of a near-field scanning optical microscope for imaging live biological tissues. Based on this research, Eric has been awarded a 1999 Biomedical Engineering Research Grant from The Whitaker Foundation to develop a scanning fiber endoscope. Subsequent grants from the National Cancer Institute have advanced this novel endoscope design into ultrathin flexible prototypes while maintaining high resolution and wide fields of view imaging. Previous to academic research on scanning image acquisition systems, Eric spent four years working in the medical (ophthalmic) device industry. In 2000, Eric has been awarded a bioengineering research grant from NSF to design, prototype, and test wearable vision aids for people with vision disabilities.

Research Interests

Biomedical applications of human interface science, including technological development of novel image acquisition systems (such as scanning optical microscopes and endoscopes) and visual display systems (such as virtual retinal displays).

Research Projects

Engineering study of a novel design for a scanned, single fiber endoscope - - (Whitaker Foundation and National Cancer Institute)

Wearable Low Vision Aids (WLVAs) for partially sighted individuals -- (NSF Bioengineering Research to Aid Persons with Disabilities program)

True 3D Display Project -- (The Intel Corporation and NSF/Bioegineering/MRI)

Immersive visual displays for medical applications and augmented reality - - Proposals are currently under review at NSF and NIH, text is unavailable at this time.

Teaching

Spring quarter: Biomedical Optics (BIOEN 561, 4 credit graduate-level class, lec.& lab).
The fundamentals of optics and their applications that should be most relevant to bioengineers will be discussed in lecture. Companion homeworks and presentations by the students will allow in-depth analysis of specific concepts and biomedical applications. Direct, hands-on experience is provided in the laboratory sessions and the final project (design, fabrication, and testing of an optical device). The course should provide the background for a wide range of topics, such as lens systems, op tical fibers, optical sources & detectors, filters and sensors, optical properties of biological tissue, absorption & scattering, fluorescence probes, physics of image formation, various microscopies, image analysis, and several spectroscopic techniques.< P> Limited experience in optics is required, such as taught in undergraduate physics.
Textbook is Optics by E. Hecht, 3rd Ed., plus extensive lecture notes.

Research Opportunities

Opportunities exist at the HIT Lab for self-motivated undergraduate and graduate students. For more information, explore the web sites of both undergraduate and graduate students currently doing fellowships, 499/599 class projects, and Research Assistant ships.

Curriculum Vitae

Work:
HITLab, U. of Washington
PO Box 352142, Seattle, WA 98195-2142
Voice: +1 (206) 616-1486
FAX: +1 (206) 543-5380

Email:
eseibel@hitl.washington.edu

Human Interface Technology Lab