For More Information

• The Cellular Neuroscience Imaging laboratory

Education

• Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA 2005-2007
• Ph.D. Biomedical Sciences, Northeastern University, 2005
• B.S. Biology and Psychology, University of Massachusetts, Boston, MA 1994

Biography

Catherine A Best-Popescu received her B.S degree in Biology and Psychology from the University of Massachusetts and her M.S. and Ph.D degrees in Biomedical Sciences from Northeastern University. The basis for her work stems from a multidisciplinary background and skills developed in the fields of pathology, bioengineering, medical laboratory sciences, and neuroscience. Prior to UIUC, she was a postdoctoral research fellow at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston and was a visiting research scientist in cellular biophysics in the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences at Harvard University. Her research group, the Cellular Neuroscience Imaging Lab (CNI), uses novel quantitative phase imaging and standard histochemical techniques to investigate the disease etiology and cellular processes underlying neurological disorders including Glioblastoma, Multiple Sclerosis (MS), and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). Professor Best is a distinguished award-winning teacher with eighteen years of teaching and course development experience in the fields of medicine, bioengineering, and neural engineering.  Her management activities span from running the CNI lab which currently has 4 graduate students and 10 undergraduate students, to Basic Science College of Medicine Administration Activities in the University of Illinois College of Medicine at Urbana Champaign Academic Affairs office, through to being the Coordinator for the CLIA-certified SHIELD Saliva COVID-19 Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory. In this demanding role, she was responsible for overseeing a large-scale SARS-CoV-2 testing operation. She managed over 40 employees on a 24/7 schedule responsible for processing and reporting 10,000 - 20,000 saliva samples per day.

Academic Positions

• RES ASST PROF, Department of Bioengineering, UIUC, 2014-current
• RES ASST PROF, CI MED Biomedical & Translational Sciences, 2024-current
• Research Affiliate Faculty Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, UIUC, 2023-current
• Research Affiliate Faculty Neuroscience Program, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2023-current
• LAB COORD FOR SHIELD COVID-19 Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory, UIUC, 2020
• Research Associate, Clinical Traumatic Brain Injury Trial Primary Investigator, Lovell Federal Health Care Center, Chicago, IL 2019
• RES ASST PROF MCB Course Director Medical Neuroscience, UIUC, 2007-2014
• RES ASST PROF MCB Course Director Medical Biochemistry, UIUC, 2010-2011
• Med UIUC Basic Sciences Adm. Interim Director of Assessment, UIUC, 2011- 2013
• Med UC Basic Sciences Adm. Director of Curricular Development, UIUC, 2011-2013
• VISITING RESEARCH SCIENTIST in Cellular Biophysics, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, 2005-2007
• Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Brigham and Women's Hospital, 2005-2007
• Research Associate, Dept. of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital, 2002-2005
• Medical Technician, Clin Chem & Tox, Massachusetts General Hospital, 2001-2002

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Documents

• Faculty Annual Review CV 2025
• Research Slide

Other Professional Employment

• COM-UC Americans with Disabilities (ADA) Proctor, UIUC, 2012-2014
• COM-UC Chief NBME Proctor, UIUC, 2012-2014

Professional Highlights

• I serve as the Neural Engineering Working Group Chair
• I serve on several committees including: BIOE Diversity Committee, Granger College of Engineering Diversity Committee, Undergrad Curriculum Committee,
• I teach the BIOE Summer Camps.
• I support and provide research opportunities to many students (International Interns, Undergrad, Masters, PhD and Medical Students)
• I have been successful in getting grants from multiple funding sources

Resident Instruction

• 2023- Present NE 330: Developed new Neuroscience for Engineers Course (Spring 23-25, Fall 2025)
• 2022, 2023, 2025 NE 100: Developed new Intro to Neural Engineering Course (Fall), University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign.
• 2021-2024 BIOE 570: Developed new Seminar Series (M. Eng online, Fall, Spring and Summer), University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign.
• 2021-2024 BIOE 570 Seminar Series (M. Eng in-person, Fall and Spring), University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign.
• 2021 BIOE 572: Biological Measurement Advanced Microscopy Module (M. Eng Online),  University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign.
• 2020, 2021 BIOE 571: Biological Measurement Basic Microscopy Module (M. Eng Online),  University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign.
• 2020 BIOE 575: Developed new Capstone Project (M. Eng online), Fall and Spring, University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign.
• 2018 - 2022 BIOE 575: Capstone Project (M. Eng in-person), University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign.
• 2018 - 2021 BIOE 572: Biological Measurement Developed new Advanced Microscopy Module (M. Eng In-person, Spring 2018, 20, 22, Spring and Fall 2019, 2021),  University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign.
• 2018 - 2020 BIOE 571: Biological Measurement Developed new Basic Microscopy Module (M. Eng In-person),  University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign.
• 2017, 2021-2023, BIOE 120/ BIOE 100: Introduction to Bioengineering (Fall 2017, 2022, Spring 2023, Fall and Spring 2021),  University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign.
• 2017 BIOE 572: Biological Measurement Sensor Module (M.Eng In-Person), University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign.
• 2012-2015 Catapult: Step One Prep: NBME Board Review Course. College of Medicine at Urbana Champaign, University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign.
• 2012-2014 UIUC COM M2 Developed new Excellence in Path and Pathophysiology Review Course. College of Medicine at Urbana Champaign, University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign.
• 2012 Medical Neuroscience M2: Peripheral Neuropathies, Vascular Disorders, CNS Infections and Dementia, College of Medicine at Urbana Champaign, University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign
• 2009-2014 Neuro 529: Medical Neuroscience Lab M1 (College of Medicine University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign.
• 2009-2014 Neuro 527: Medical Neuroscience M1. College of Medicine at Urbana Champaign, University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign.
• 2009 -2012 MCB 527: Human Neuroscience, University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign.

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Course Development

• 2023 NE 330: Neuroscience for Engineers (NEW)
• 2022 NE 100: Intro to Neural Engineering (NEW)
• 2020 BIOE 570 Seminar Series (NEW M. Eng Online and In-person)
• 2020 BIOE 575 Capstone Project (NEW M. Eng Online)
• 2017 BIOE 571 Biological Measurement (NEW M. Eng Advanced Microscopy Module)
• 2016 BIOE 571 Biological Measurement (NEW M. Eng Basic Microscopy Module)
• 2012 Catapult Step 1 NBME Exam Preparation (NEW UIUC COM M1/M2 Course)
• 2012 Excellence in Path and Pathophysiology Review Course (NEW UIUC COM M2)
• 2010 Microsurgical Anatomy, Cadaveric Dissections, and Technical Considerations (NEW UIUC COM Course, Madison Wisconsin with Dr. Baskaya)

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Short Courses

• 2023-current Center for Label-free Imaging and Multiscale Biophotonics (CLIMB) Summer School, Spatial Light Interference Microscopy Lecture and Lab
• 2020-current The Granger Worldwide Youth in Science and Engineering Program (WYSE) 3D Day Camp Power of BIOE 
• 2020-2024 The Granger Worldwide Youth in Science and Engineering Program (WYSE) Bioengineering: Exploring Your Options Virtual Summer Camp 
• 2020-2024The Granger Worldwide Youth in Science and Engineering Program (WYSE) Bioengineering Exploring Your Options Residential Summer Camp 
• 2015- 2020 Human Anatomy Cadaver Dissection Lab for Underserved Rural High School Students (Medical Society of Illinois, Leroy IL. Dr. Tom Pliura)
• 2012 -2016 Catapult NBME Step 1 Exam Preparation (NEW UIUC COM M2 Course)
• 2012, 2013 Excellence in Path and Pathophysiology (NEW UIUC COM M1/M2 Course)
• 2010 - 2014 Microsurgical Anatomy, Cadaveric Dissections and Technical Considerations Course (Madison Wisconsin, Dr. Baskaya)
• 2010, 2011 Illinois Summer Neuroscience Institute Summer Camp, Brain Exploration Laboratory Co-coordinator
• 2008, 2010, 2011, 2014 NanoBiophotonics Summer School, The Visual System Seen through Illusions and Lesions (ECE, Beckman Institute)

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Student Organizations

• Mudit Mehta, Research Advisor, 2024,2025
• James Keener Edmunds Independent Research Adviser. 2023, 2024
• Cindy Chen (Bioengineering) Research Adviser 2024, 2025
• Pras Bairwa (Computer Science) Research adviser 2024, 2025
• Alexander Byrne (Neuro) Research adviser, Fall & Spring, 2023
• Brigitte Joyce (BIOE), Research adviser, Fall & Spring, 2023
• Salma El-Naggar (BIOE), Research adviser, Fall & Spring, 2023
• Isabelle Guerra (BioE), Research adviser, Fall & Spring, 2022
• Julia Stillman (BioE), Research adviser, Fall & Spring, 2021
• Aniket Joglekar (Biochemistry) Research Independent Study Fall 2021
• Zeena Thakkar, Research adviser. Spring, 2021
• Vedanta Kompella (Engineering Physics), Research adviser, Fall, 2021
• Haseeb Syed (Bioe) Research adviser, Fall, 2021
• Dave Amartya (Chemistry) Research Independent Study 2020-2022 Fall & Spring
• Priyal Patel, Research adviser, Fall & Spring, 2020-2022
• Shreyaa Jeyakumar, Research adviser. Fall & Spring, 2020, 2021
• William Walton, Research adviser, Fall and Spring, 2020
• Vraj Shah (MCB), Research adviser, Fall and Spring, 2020
• Jessie Koh, Research adviser. Spring, 2020
• Shreya Rao (MCB), Research adviser, Fall, 2020
• Ziyin Wang, Siebel School Comp & Data Sci, Engineering. Research adviser. Fall & Spring, 2023
• Enrico Persico, NE Honors student Engineering James Scholar Student. Research adviser. Fall & Spring, 2023
• Shriya Anant, Honors student Engineering James Scholar Student, Research adviser. Fall & Spring, 2023
• Margaret We, Honors student Engineering James Scholar Student, Research adviser. Fall & Spring, 2023
• Meghan Honore Blomberg ISUR Student, Research adviser. Fall & Spring, 2022-2024
• Jaehyun Nam, Research adviser. Fall & Spring, 2022-2024
• Bilal Karim, Research adviser. Fall & Spring, 2022- 2023
• Aditi Patel Honors student Engineering James Scholar Student, Research adviser. Fall & Spring, 2022
• Joseph Jung. Research adviser. Spring, 2022
• Linyuan Li (Alina), Research adviser. Fall & Spring, 2022
• Dziyana Balakir (Biochemistry), Research adviser. Fall & Spring, 2021-2024
• Justin Yung, Research adviser. Fall & Spring, 2021, 2022
• Darsh Gupta Honors student Engineering James Scholar Student (The Relationship between COVID-19 & Vitamin D), Research adviser. Fall & Spring, 2021
• Omeed Miraftab-Salo, Research adviser. Fall & Spring, 2020 and 2021
• Bianca Savant, Research adviser. Fall & Spring, 2019-2022
• Keshav Shvam (Computer Science), Research adviser, Fall and Spring 2018-2019
• Yujin Lee, Research adviser, Fall and Spring 2017-2022

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Other Undergraduate Advising Activities

• Cheyanne Ligutan Big Ten Academic Alliance (BTAA) Summer Research Opportunities Program (SROP) Summer 2025, supervised her research.
• Yasmine Khan Spring 2025 supervised Beckman Open House
• David Marroquin, Summer 2025, Supervised his SCI-LSAMP Summer Research Program research project
• Meghan Bloomberg, 2023-2024 supervised her Granger Engineering Illinois Scholars Program (ISUR) research project
• Javier Dejesus REU Discoveries in Bioimaging Program Summer Student, University of Illinois at Urbana, Champaign. Summer 2017, supervised research.

Research Statement

I direct the Cellular Neuroscience Imaging Lab (CNI) in the Department of Bioengineering. My research is focused on applying advanced quantitative optical microscopy methods (SLIM- Spatial Light Interference Microscopy, and QPI- quantitative phase imaging) to study animal models of neurological disease, such as Alzheimer’s disease and Traumatic Brain Injury. The CNI works across the molecular to the behavioral scales and at the intersection between bioengineering, neuroscience, and medicine.

Post-Doctoral Research Opportunities

Looking for energetic post-docs interested in projects at the interface of bioengineering, neuroscience and medicine.

Undergraduate Research Opportunities

We are looking for undergraduate students interested in integrating bioengineering, neuroscience and medicine.

Research Interests

• Mobility and Communication Solutions for Cerebral Palsy
• QPI Investigation of Glioblastoma Treatment
• Quantitative Phase Imaging (QPI) of Mouse Models of Neurological Disease and Trauma.

Chapters in Books

• Optical Sensing of Red Blood Cell Dynamics by YK Park, C A. Best-Popescu, and G Popescu, in "Mechanobiology of cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions," Edited by Amy Wagoner Johnson (Springer, 2011)
• Erythrocyte Nanoscale Flickering: A Marker for Disease by C. A. Best-Popescu, in Nanobiophotonics, Edited by G. Popescu (McGraw Hill, 2010).

Selected Articles in Journals

• Journal Articles: 40, 4625 citations, h=28, Google Scholar Complete List of Published Work in My Bibliography: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/myncbi/catherine.best-popescu.1/bibliography/public/
• Ranoa DRE, Holland RL, Alnaji FG, Green KJ, Wang L, Fredrickson RL, Wang T, Wong GN, Uelmen J, Maslov S, Weiner ZJ, Tkachenko AV, Zhang H, Liu Z, Ibrahim A, Patel SJ, Paul JM, Vance NP, Gulick JG, Satheesan SP, Galvan IJ ... (2022) Mitigation of SARS-CoV-2 transmission at a large public university. Nature communications, 13(1); 3207 PMID: 35680861; PMCID: PMC9184485.
• Goswami, N., He, Y.R., Deng, Y.H., Oh C., Sobh N., Valera E., Rashid B., Nahed I., Kong H., Nguyen T.H., Best-Popescu C.A., Popescu G. (2021) Label-free SARS-CoV-2 detection and classification using phase imaging with computational specificity. Light Sci Appl. 10; 176
• Ma Y., Lee Y., Best-Popescu C., Gao, L. (2021) High-speed compressed-sensing fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy of live cells. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA, 118(3) PMID: 33431663; PMCID: PMC7826382.
• King W.P., Amos J., Azer M., Baker D., Bashir R., Best C., Bethke E., Boppart S.A., Bralts E., Corey R.M., Dietkus R., Durack G., Elbel S., Elliott G., Fava J., Goldenfeld N., Goldstein M.H., Hayes C., Herndon N., Jamison S., ... (2020) Emergency ventilator for COVID-19. PLoS One. 15(12) PMID: 33378363; PMCID: PMC7773325.
• Goswami N, He YR, Deng Y-H, Oh C, Sobh N, Valera E, Bashir R, Ismail N, Kong HJ, Nguyen TH, Best-Popescu C, Popescu G. (2020) Rapid SARS-CoV-2 Detection and Classification Using Phase Imaging with Computational Specificity. (bioRxiv). Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press.
• Fanous M., Caputo M.P., Lee YJ., Rund L.A., Best-Popescu C., Kandel M.E., Johnson R.W., Das T., Kuchan M.J., Popescu G. (2020) Quantifying myelin content in brain tissue using color Spatial Light Interference Microscopy (cSLIM). PLoS One. 15(11).
• Kandel M.E., Hu C., Naseri Kouzehgarani G., Min E., Sulliva K.M., Kong H., Li J.M., Robson D.N., Gillette M.U., Best-Popescu C, Popescu G. (2019) Epi-illumination gradient light interference microscopy for imaging opaque structures. Nature Communications 10(1); 4691.
• Motl R.W., Niemiro G.M., Lisio M.D., Sommer S., Riskin B.J. Best-Popescu C.A. (2019) Ultraviolet B Phototherapy Intervention in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis: A Prospective, Randomized Pilot Trial. Journal of Neurological Research and Therapy. 3 (1); 12-25
• Majeed H., Ma L., Lee Y.J., Kandel M.E., Min E., Jung W., Best-Popescu C.A., Popescu G. (2018) Magnified Image Spatial Spectrum (MISS) microscopy for nanometer and millisecond scale label-free imaging. Optics Express. 26 (5); 5423-5440.
• Barakat R., Lin P.C., Park C.J., Best-Popescu C., Bakry, H. H., Abosalem, M. E., Abdelaleem, N. M., Flaws, J. A., Ko, C. (2018) Prenatal Exposure to DEHP Induces Neuronal Degeneration and Neurobehavioral Abnormalities in Adult Male Mice. Toxicological Sciences: an official journal of the Society of Toxicology, 164(2); 439–452.
• Kandel M. E., Fanous M., Best-Popescu C.A., Popescu G. (2018) Real-time halo correction in phase contrast imaging. Biomed. Opt. Express. 9(2); 623-635
• Lee Y.J., Cintora P., Arikkath J., Olaoluwa A., Kandel M., Popescu G., Best-Popescu C.A. (2017) Quantitative assessment of neural outgrowth using spatial light interference microscopy. J. Biomed. Opt. 22 (6); 66015.
• Cintora P., Lee Y.J., Popescu G., Best-Popescu C.A. (2017) Cell density modulates intracellular mass transport in neural networks. Cytometry: Part A. 91(5); 503-509.
• Min E., Ban S., Wang Y., Bae S.C., Popescu G., Best-Popescu C.A., Jung W. (2017) Measurement of multispectral scattering properties in mouse brain tissue. Biomed. Opt. Express. 8 (3); 1763-1770
• Nguyen T. H., Kandel M., Shakir H., Best-Popescu C.A, Do M. N., Popescu G. (2017) Halo-free Phase Contrast Microscopy. Scientific Reports. 7; 44034.
• Kandel M., Shakir H., Best-Popescu C.A., and G. Popescu. (2017) Three-dimensional intracellular transport in neuron bodies and neurites investigated by label-free dispersion-relation phase spectroscopy., Cytometry: Part A. 91(5); 519-526 (PMID: 28295966)
• Min E., Kandel M.E., Ko C., Popescu G., Jung W., Best-Popescu C.A. (2016) Label-free, multi-scale imaging of ex-vivo mouse brain using spatial light interference microscopy., Scientific Reports. 6; 39667 PMCID: PMC5180101
• Lee S., Park H., Best-Popescu C.A., Jang S., Park Y. (2015) The Effects of Ethanol on the Morphological and Biochemical Properties of Individual Human Red Blood Cells. PLoS ONE. 10 (12): e0145327 PMCID: PMC4699194.
• Wang H., Wang B., Kieran, P.N., Jackson K., Spitler K., Sharrock M.F., Miller C., Best C., Llano D. Du R. (2014) Brain temperature and its fundamental properties: a review for clinical neuroscientists. Frontiers in Neuroscience. 2014; 8:307.
• Pham H.V., Bhaduri B., Tangella K., Best-Popescu C.A., Popescu G. (2013) Real time blood testing using quantitative phase imaging, PloS ONE. 8(2): e55676. PMCID: PMC3565969
• Park Y.K., Best-Popescu C.A., Kuriabova T., Henle M.L., Feld M.S., Levine A.J., Popescu G., (2011) Measurement of the nonlinear elasticity of red blood cell membranes. Phys. Rev. 83 051925. PMCID: PMC3350818
• Park Y. K., Best-Popescu C. A., Dasari R. R., Popescu G. (2011) Light scattering of human red blood cells during metabolic remodeling of the membrane., Biomed Opt. 16 (1), 011013.
• Park Y. K., Best-Popescu C. A., Badizadegan K., Dasari R. R., Feld M. S., Kuriabova T., Henle M. L., Levine A. J., Popescu G. (2010) Measurement of red blood cell mechanics during morphological changes., Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. 107(15): 6731-6736.
• Park, Y., Best, C. A., Auth, T., Gov, N. S., Safran, S. A., Popescu, G., Suresh, S., & Feld, M. S. (2010). Metabolic remodeling of the human red blood cell membrane. Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. 107(4): 1289-1294.
• Popescu, G., Park, Y., Lue, N., Best-Popescu, C., Deflores, L., Dasari, R. R., Feld, M. S., & Badizadegan, K. (2008). Optical imaging of cell mass and growth dynamics. Am J Phys cell physiol. 295(2); C538–C544.
• Abkarian M., Faivre M., Horton R., Smistrup K., Best-Popescu CA, Stone H.A., (2008) Cellular-scale hydrodynamics.  Biomed Mater. 3; 034011.
• Mischoulon D., Best-Popescu C. A., Laposata M, Merens W., Murakami, J.L. Wu S.L., Papakostas G.I., Dording C.M., Sonawalla S.B., Nierenberg A.A., Alpert J.E., Fava M. (2008) A double-blind dose-finding pilot study of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) for major depressive disorder. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol. 9; 639-45.
• Wozniak J., Biederman J., Mick E., Waxmonsky J., Hantsoo L., Best C.A, Cluette-Brown J.E., and Laposata M. (2007) Omega-3 fatty acid monotherapy for pediatric bipolar disorder: a prospective open-label trial. European Neuropsychopharmacology. 17 (6-7); 440-7.
• Best C.A., Sarkola T., Eriksson C.J.P., Cluette-Brown J.E. and Laposata M. (2006) Increased plasma fatty acid ethyl ester levels following inhibition of oxidative metabolism of ethanol by 4-methylpyrazole treatment in human subjects. Alcoholism-Clinical and Experimental Research. 30(7); 1126-1131.
• Popescu G., Ikeda T., Goda K., Best-Popescu C. A., Laposata M., Manley S., Dasari R. R., Badizadeganb K., Feld M. S. (2006) Optical measurement of cell membrane tension., Phys. Rev. Lett. 97; 218101.
• Yoerger D.M., Best C.A., McQuillan B.M., Supple G.E., Guererro J.L., Cluette-Brown J.E., Hasaba A., Picard M.H., Stone J.R. Laposata M. (2006) Rapid fatty acid ethyl ester synthesis by porcine myocardium upon ethanol infusion into the left anterior descending coronary artery. American Journal of Pathology, 168(5):1435-1442.
• Best C.A., Laposata M., Proios V.G. Szczepiorkowski Z.M. (2006) Method to assess fatty acid ethyl ester binding to albumin. Alcohol and Alcoholism. 41(3); 240-246.
• Popescu G., Ikeda T., Best C. A., Badizadegan K., Dasari R. R. Feld M. S. (2005) Erythrocyte structure and dynamics quantified by Hilbert phase microscopy., J. Biomed. Opt. Lett., 10, 060503.
• Best C.A., Cluette-Brown J.E., Teruya M., Teruya A. Laposata M. (2003) Red blood cell fatty acid ethyl esters: a significant component of fatty acid ethyl esters in the blood. J Lipid Res 44(3); 612-20.
• Best C.A. and Laposata M. (2003) Fatty acid ethyl esters: toxic non-oxidative metabolites of ethanol and markers of ethanol intake Front Biosci. 8; e202-173.
• Soderberg B.L., Salem R.O., Best C.A., Cluette-Brown J.E., Laposata M.  (2003) Fatty acid ethyl esters. Ethanol metabolites that reflect ethanol intake. Am J Clin Pathol 119 Suppl: s94-9.
• Laposata M, Hasaba A, Best CA, Yoerger DM, McQuillan BM, Salem RO, Refaai MA, Soderberg BL. (2002) Fatty acid ethyl esters: recent observations.  Prostaglandins Leukotrienes and Essent Fatty Acids. 67(2-3); 193-6.

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Abstracts (in print or accepted)

• Quantitative Phase Imaging Cartography: A New Lens into Traumatic Brain Injury. Jorge Maldonado DeJesus, Yuliia Kohut, David Liang, Sarah Alashqar, Isidra Baker, Casey Fornal, Siva Reddy Challa, Krishna Kumar Veeravalli, Billy Wang, and Catherine Best-Popescu. Neurotrauma, Philidelphia, PA, 2025
• Characterization of regional matrix metalloproteinase-12 expression in traumatic brain injury through immunofluorescence and spatial light interference microscopy. David Liang, Jorge Maldonado DeJesus, Sarah Alashqar, Catherine Best-Popescu, Isidra Baker, Casey Fornal, Siva Reddy Challa, Krishna Kumar Veeravalli, and Billy Wang. Neurotrauma, Philidelphia, PA, 2025
• Histopathology of Cellular Profiles and Tissue Barriers in a Model of TBI Using Spatial Light Interference Microscopy. Yuliia Kohut,Jorge Maldonado, Catherine Best-Popescu. Undergraduate Research Symposium PO 91. University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, IL, USA. 2025
• Systematized Review of Shunt Technologies Used in the Treatment of Hydrocephalus. Yasmine Khan,  Anh Nguyen, Yuliia Kohut, Noreen Adoni, Cindy Chen, Safa Thameem, Jorge Maldonado, Catherine Best-Popescu. Undergraduate Research Symposium PO 76. University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, IL, USA. 2025
• Label-Free Biophysical Profiling of White Matter Myeloarchitecture in a Traumatic Brain Injury and Alzheimer’s Model Using Spatial Light Interference Microscopy Cindy Chen,  Anh Nguyen, Jorge Maldonado, Catherine Best-Popescu. Undergraduate Research Symposium PO 93. University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, IL, USA. 2025
• Leveraging Deep Learning for Label-Free Cellular and Vascular Segmentation in Brain Tissue Using Spatial Light Interference Microscopy. Prasheetha Bairwa, TJ Pavaritpong, Yuliia Kohut, Cindy Chen, Shubham Thakar, Jorge Maldonado, and Dr. Catherine Best-Popescu. PO Undergraduate Research Symposium, University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, IL, USA. 2025
• Leveraging Deep Learning for Label-Free Cellular Segmentation in Brain Tissue Using Spatial Light Interference Microscopy. Prasheetha Bairwa, Jorge Maldonado, Catherine Best-Popescu.  PO 21. Undergraduate Research Symposium, University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, IL, USA. 2025
• Label-free Biophysical Profiling of White Matter Myeloarchitecturein a Traumatic Brain Injury and Alzheimer’s Model Using Spatial Light Interference Microscopy. Anh Nguyen, Cindy Chen, Jorge Maldonado, Billy Wang, Catherine Best-Popescu. Undergraduate Research in Scientific Advancement Poster Symposium, University of Illinois 2024
• Engineered systems for tumor modeling facilitate the assessment of therapeutic interventions. Joseph Mueller, Ryan Yao, Kim Selting, Catherine Best-Popescu, Brendan Harley, Sara Pedron-Haba. ]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Brain Cancer; 2023 Oct 19-22; Minneapolis, Minnesota. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(5 Suppl_1):Abstract nr A045.
• Pras Bairwa Jorge Maldonado, Billy Wang, Catherine best-Popescu Undergraduate Research in Scientific Advancement Poster Symposium, University of Illinois 2024 (Best Poster Presentation Award)
• Real-Time, Dose-Fractionated Irradiation of Cell Cultures Synchronously Imaged Using Quantitative, Label-Free Microscopy: A Glimpse into Time-Resolved Radiobiology. MAS Lamba, JAMDeJesus, C Best-Popescu, L Myers, D Ionascu. American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM) 66th Annual Meeting & Exhibition. Los Angeles, CA, 2024
• Designing Flow Rate Sensors for Management of Hydrocephalus. Meghan Blomberg, Catherine Alicia Best-Popescu. Illinois Scholars Undergraduate Research Expo (ISUR). University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, IL, USA. 2024
• Hypothermic Effects on In Vitro Traumatic Brain Injury Models. James Keener Edmunds, Raghav Tirumale,Jorge Maldonado. Catherine Best. PO12. Undergraduate Research Symposium, University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, IL, USA. 2024
• Evaluating fetal neocortical development in germ-free mice in response to maternal IL-17A administration. Izan Chalen, Selena S. Wang, Ashley M. Otero, Rafael Gonzalez-Ricon, Catherine A Best-Popescu, Adrienne M. Antonson Nanosymposium 15.08. Society for Neuroscience, Chicago, IL, USA 2024.
• The Antioxidant Effect to Counter Radiation in Aging/ Neurotoxicity Genes. Faisal Ahmad and Catherine Best-Popescu. PO 110. Undergraduate Research Symposium, University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, IL, USA. 2024
• AI-Mediated Segmentation and Identification of Glioblastoma Cellular Microenvironment. Yasmine Khan, Chadrick Gyabin, Jorge Maldonado and Catherine Best-Popescu. Undergraduate Research Symposium PO 2. University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, IL, USA. 2024
• Quantitative histopathology of breast and bladder cancer using color spatial light interference microscopy (CSLIM) with computational specificity (PICS). Jingfang Zhang and Catherine A. Best-Popescu. SPIE Photonics Europe. Strasbourg, France. 2024
• Advances in label-free optical quantification of Alzheimer’s disease associated cellular and tissue level pathology. Jorge Maldonado and Catherine A. Best-Popescu. SPIE Photonics-Europe. Strasberg France. 2024
• Using Spatial Light Interference Microscopy (SLIM) and Standard Histological Techniques for Multi-Scale Quantitative Brain Analysis. Dmitry Yurchanka, Ammaar Malik, Jorge Alexis Maldonado DeJesus, and Catherine Alicia Best-Popescu. PO20. Undergraduate Research Symposium, University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, IL, USA. 2023
• Quantitative Label-free Cell Cycle Microscopy. Sanjana Satish, Jorge Alexis Maldonado DeJesus, and Catherine Alicia Best-Popescu. PO110. Undergraduate Research Symposium, University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, IL, USA. 2023
• A Step Towards Automated Bioreactor Cell Viability Microscopy. Sharon Ignatius Newton, Jorge Alexis Maldonado DeJesus,and Catherine Alicia Best-Popescu. PO85. Undergraduate Research Symposium, University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, IL, USA. 2023
• Quantifying the Anti-inflammatory Effects of Fluoxetine, Propanolol, and Anticorticosteroid Treatment Using Quantitative Phase Microscopy in a Chronic Social Stress Model. Tanishka Trivedi, Jorge Alexis Maldonado DeJesus, and Catherine Alicia Best-Popescu. PO 14. Undergraduate Research Symposium, University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, IL, USA. 2023
• Three-Dimensional Anatomical Reconstruction of Mice Brain. Dziyana Balakir, Jorge Maldonado and Catherine Best-Popescu. PO 37. Undergraduate Research Symposium, University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, IL, USA. 2023
• Biomimetic Fluid Flow Sensing in Hydrocephalus. Meghan Blomberg, Megan Amber Lim, Jaya Ganapathi, Daniella Champan, Hailey Waltenburg, Catherine Alicia Best-Popescu. Illinois Scholars Undergraduate Research Expo (ISUR) Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR). University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, IL, USA. 2023
• Spatial Light Interference Microscopy for Quantification of Brain and Gut Changes in a Repeated Social Defeat Model. Jorge Maldonado, Jacob Allen, Patricia Brewster and Catherine Best-Popescu. Gastronauts Global Symposia, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador 2023
• Measuring fetal neuroarchitecture in germ-free mice in response to maternal IL-17A administration. Chalen I., Wang S., Best-Popescu C., Antonson A.M. Gastronauts Global Symposia, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador 2023
• Quantifying Neuroinflammation Across Multiple Scales: A Novel Approach Employing Quantitative Phase Imaging in Models of Neuroinflammation and Neurodegeneration. Jorge Maldonado DeJesus and Catherine Best. PS1-1.  PsychoNeuroImmunology Research Society (PNIRS) Annual Meeting, Boulder, CO. 2023
• Measuring fetal cortical architecture in response to maternal immune activation by live influenza virus.  Chalen I., Wang S., Florianowicz V., Matan A., Otero A.M., Gonzalez-Ricon R., Karim B., Best-Popescu C., Antonson A.M. PS1-46. PsychoNeuroImmunology Research Society (PNIRS) Annual Meeting, Boulder, CO. 2023
• Evaluating fetal corticogenesis in germ-free mice in response to maternal IL-17a administration. Chalen-Paredes I., Wang S.S., Otero A.M., Gonzalez-Ricon R., Best-Popescu C., Antonson A.M. Microbial Multiverse Symposium, Illinois Microbial Systems Initiative, University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, IL. 2023
• Identifying Optical Biomarkers of Neuroinflammation and Neurodegeneration Across Multiple Scales: A Novel Approach Using Quantitative Phase Imaging. Jorge Maldonado, Yasmine Khan, Karna Trepstra, Lawrence Best, Liviu Mirica, Catherine Best-Popescu. CLIMB University of Illinois. 2023
• Spatial Light Interference Microscopy (SLIM) for Label-Free Quantification of Neuroinflammation in Alzheimer's Disease. Suhaani Nigam, Yasmine Khan,Jorge Maldonado, Karna Terpstra, Liviu Mirica, Catherine Best-Popescu. PS2-54. PsychoNeuroImmunology Research Society (PNIRS) Annual Meeting, Boulder, CO. 2023
• Quantification of Biophysical Markers of Inflammation using Spatial Light Interference Microscopy (SLIM) in a Repeated Social Stress Disorder Murine Model. Tanishka Trivedi,  Jorge Maldonado, Patti Brewster, Isabelle Guerra, Jacob Allen, and Catherine Best-Popescu. PS3-50. PsychoNeuroImmunology Research Society (PNIRS) Annual Meeting, Boulder, CO. 2023
• Quantifying neuroanatomical variations across multiple mouse models of multiple sclerosis. Maldonado, J., Best, L., Chalen, I., & Best-Popescu, C.  PsychoNeuroImmunology. Research Society (PNIRS) Annual Meeting, ETH, Zurich, Switzerland. 2022
• Measuring fetal neuroarchitecture in germ-free mice in response to maternal IL-17a administration. Chalen I., Wang S.S., Jung J., Maldonado J., Linyuan L., Best-Popescu C., Antonson A.M. PsychoNeuroImmunology Research Society (PNIRS) Annual Meeting, ETH, Zurich, Switzerland, 2022
• Scarred Stars: Investigating the Role of Astrocytes in Alzheimer's Disease. Michelle Nelson, Jorge Maldonado and Catherine Best-Popescu. Basic Science UIC Health Sciences Campus-Rockford Research Day. 2021
• Spatial Light interference Microscopy as a quantitative histopathology tool in the study of dys-myelinating disorders. Jorge Maldonado DeJesus, Lawrence Best, Catherine Best-Popescu, NSF-Miniature Brain Machines Retreat. Beckman Institute, University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, IL, USA. 2020
• Across the scales investigation of Traumatic Brain Injury and Multiple Sclerosis. Jorge Maldonado DeJesus and Catherine Best-Popescu. NSF Industry/University Cooperative Research Center for Computational Biotechnology and Genomic Medicine Meeting, University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, IL, USA. 2019
• Multiple scale quantitative analysis of white matter connectivity on a MYRF knock-out mouse model using spatial light interference microscopy (SLIM) J. A. Maldonado, Lawrence Best, C. Best. PO 703.16. Optical Methods: Applications. Society for Neuroscience, Chicago, IL, USA. 2019 
• Quantifying myelination of single neurons using Spatial Light Interference Microscopy(SLIM). Young-Jae Lee, Michael Fanous, Megan P. Caputo, Laurie A. Rund, Rodney W. Johnson, Tapas Das, Matthew J. Kuchan, Catherine Best-Popescu, Gabriel Popescu. PO 206.14 Molecular and Cellular Mechanisms of Demyelinating Disorders. Society for Neuroscience, Chicago, IL, USA  2019
• Spatial Light Interference Microscopy Revealed Myelin Differences Quantified in De and Dys/myelination Mouse Models. Jorge Maldonado, Lawrence Best, Kiran Murphy, Gabriel Popescu, and Catherine Best-Popescu. NSF-Miniature Brain Machinery Retreat, Beckman Institute, University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, USA. 2019.
• Label-free Identification and Analysis of Demyelination in Murine Models Using Spatial Light Interference Microscopy (SLIM). Colón, Marisabel, Maldonado, Jorge, Best, Catherine. Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES) P-SAT-282. Undergraduate Research, Design & Leadership. Biomedical Imaging and Optics. BMES2019-004042.pdf. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. 2019
• Traumatic Brain Injury Quantified by S.L.I.M. Microscopy with Omega 3 Fatty Acid Treatments. Darnella Cole and Catherine Best-Popescu Abstract ID 3929. Undergraduate Research and Design. Biomedical Imaging and Instrumentation. Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES) Annual Meeting, Atlanta, GA, USA. 2018
• Spatial Light Interference Microscopy Revealed Myelin Differences Quantified in De and Dys/myelination Mouse Models. Jorge Maldonado, Lawrence Best, Kiran Murphy, Gabriel Popescu, and Catherine Best-Popescu.Society for Neuroscience, San Diego, CA, USA. 2018.
• Multiplexing imaging development using phase light interference and fluorescence microscopy to bridge the scales from single molecule to whole organ J. A. Maldonado, C. Best, T, A. Smith, G. Popescu. PO612.12 - Physiological Methods: Optical Methodology: Development II. Society for Neuroscience, San Diego, CA, USA. 2018.
• Synaptic plasticity revealed by spatial light interference microscopy(slim) coupled with fluorescence imaging. Y. J. Lee, M. Kandel, C. Best PO 202.04 Structural Plasticity II. Society for Neuroscience,  San Diego, CA, USA. 2018.
• Gradient Light Interference Microscopy for Label-Free Quantitative Assessment of Brain Slices. M. E. Kandel, Sangyun Joung, Ghazal N. Kouzehgarani, Martha U. Gillette, Catherine Best-Popescu, Gabriel Popescu.  PO 338.25. Physiological Methods: Optical Methodology: Development I. Society for Neuroscience, San Diego, CA, USA. 2018.
• Non-contact measurement of electrical activity in neurons using magnified image spatial spectrum (MISS) microscopy. H. Majeed, Young JL, Best-Popescu CA, Popescu G, Jang SS, Chung HJ. Proc. SPIE 10074, Quantitative Phase Imaging III, 100740Y. San Francisco, CA, USA. 
• Murine cell and layer-specific distribution abnormalities in the hippocampus following trauma. Y J. Lee, M. E. Kandel, S. Joung, I. Uzcanga, J. De Jesus Astacio, C. Best.  PO 675.02. Traumatic Brain Injury: Therapeutic Interventions III.  Society for Neuroscience, Washington, DC, USA. 2017.
• 3D Murine Brain Cartography: Reconstruction using Spatial Light Interference Microscopy (SLIM). J. de Jesus, P. Cintora, M.E. Kandel and Catherine Best-Popescu. Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES) P-SAT-215. Undergraduate Research, Design & Leadership. Biomedical Imaging and Optics. BMES2017-003397.pdf.  Phoenix Arizona, USA. 2017.
• Using spatial light interference microscopy (SLIM) to quantify the neuroprotective effects of temperature and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) on primary neurons following trauma. Michael Szewczyk, I. Miches, P. Cintora, Y. J. Lee, M. E. Kandel, D. Kline, C. A. Best-Popescu. PO 675.04 Traumatic Brain Injury: Therapeutic Interventions III.  Society for Neuroscience, Washington, DC, USA. 2017.
• Summative Assessment of a High School Human Cadaveric and Neuroanatomy Dissection Laboratory. I. Miches, and C. A. Best-Popescu. PO 027.08SU/WW39 Topic: J.03.Neuroscience Outreach Activities II, Society for Neuroscience, Washington, DC, USA. 2017.
• Neural structure and dynamics using halo-free phase-sensitive microscopy. G. Popescu, M. Kandel, S. Joung, C. A. Popescu. PO 675.03. Traumatic Brain Injury: Therapeutic Interventions III. Society for Neuroscience, Washington, DC, USA. 2017
• Helmholtz phase tomography for label-free imaging of neuronal intracellular transport. ME Kendal, H. Shakir, C. A. Best, G. Popescu. PO 94.06 Light Microscopy: Advances in Technologies, Software, and Analysis. Society for Neuroscience. San Diego, CA, USA. 2016
• Dynamics of cortical neuronal growth, transport and motility associated with cell trauma assessed by quantitative phase imaging (QPI). YJ Lee,  P Cintora, ME. Kandell, and CA Best-Popescu. PO 676.12. Society for Neuroscience, San Diego, CA, USA. 2016
• Omega Three Fatty Acids and Cooling Mitigate Altered Structural Properties of Cortical Neurons Following Mechanical Injury. Patty Cintora, YJ Lee, ME. Kandell, and CA Best-Popescu. PO 316. Neuroprotective Mechanisms: Brain or Spinal Cord Injury. Society for Neuroscience, San Diego, CA, USA. 2016
• Temperature modulates stress response of neurons to repetitive low-force mechanical impacts.  D. C. Kline, C. Best-Popescu, and P. Sengupta. PO 768.05. Cellular Mechanisms of Degeneration and Inflammation in Models of Neurodegenerative Disease. Society for Neuroscience, Washington, DC, USA. 2015
• 3D Murine brain connectome reconstruction using spatial light interference microscopy (SLIM). S. Kim, E. Min, L. Ma, W. Jung, G. Popescu, C. Best-Popescu. PO734  Whole Brain Imaging and Atlasing II, Society for Neuroscience, Chicago, Il, USA.  2015
• Infrared diffraction phase microscopy for nanoscale imaging of live brain slices. E. Min, S. Kim, L. Ma, W. Jung, Y. Wang, G. Popescu, and C. Best-Popescu.   PO60 at the Cell Symposia SFN: Engineering the Brain- Technologies for Neurobiological Applications. Society for Neuroscience,  Chicago, Il, USA. 2015
• Implementation of Team-Based Learning at a Multi-Site Medical School. Amy Y. Lin, Catherine Best-Popescu, Stephanie Ceman, Mark Gelula, Abbas Hyderi, Janet M. Riddle, and Carien Williams Central Group on Educational Affairs (CGEA) Meeting. Washington University in St. Luis School of Medicine, USA 2012
• Reduction in M1 Lecture Hours Impacts Student Test Performance. C. Williams, S. Kies, and Catherine Best-Popescu. Central Group on Educational Affairs (CGEA) Meeting. Washington University in St. Luis School of Medicine, USA 2012

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Refereed Conference Papers and Presentations

• Characterization of regional matrix metalloproteinase-12 expression in traumatic brain injury through immunofluorescence and spatial light interference microscopy. David Liang, Jorge Maldonado DeJesus, Sarah Alashqar, Catherine Best-Popescu, Isidra Baker, Casey Fornal, Siva Reddy Challa, Krishna Kumar Veeravalli, and Billy Wang. Philidelphia, PA, Neurotrauma 2025
• Quantitative Phase Imaging Spatial Histocytometric Morpholomics in Mouse Models of Neurological Trauma and Disease. Catherine Best-Popescu. NIH/NIBIB Center for Label-free Imaging and Multiscale Biophotonics (CLIMB) Annual Symposium, University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign 2025
• Spatial Light Interference Microscopy Morpholomics in Mouse Models of Traumatic Brain Injury. Catherine Best-Popescu Biophotonics Summer School 2025
• Advances in multiscale biomedical imaging with Spatial Light Interference Microscopy. Catherine Best-Popescu Biophotonics Summer School 2024
• Real-Time, Dose-Fractionated Irradiation of Cell Cultures Synchronously Imaged Using Quantitative, Label-Free Microscopy: A Glimpse into Time-Resolved Radiobiology. MAS Lamba, JAMDeJesus, C Best-Popescu, L Myers, D Ionascu. American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM) 66th Annual Meeting & Exhibition. Los Angeles, CA, 2024
• Advances in label-free optical quantification of Alzheimer’s disease-associated cellular and tissue level pathology. Jorge Maldonado and Catherine A. Best-Popescu. SPIE Photonics-Europe. Strasberg France. 2024
• Quantitative histopathology of breast and bladder cancer using color spatial light interference microscopy (CSLIM) with computational specificity (PICS). Jingfang Zhang and Catherine A. Best-Popescu. SPIE Photonics Europe. Strasbourg, France. 2024
• Advances in multiscale biomedical imaging with quantitative phase imaging. Catherine Best-Popescu. SPIE Photonics Europe, Strasbourg France 2024
• Engineered systems for tumor modeling facilitate the assessment of therapeutic interventions. Joseph Mueller, Ryan Yao, Kim Selting, Catherine Best-Popescu, Brendan Harley, Sara Pedron-Haba. ]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Brain Cancer; 2023 Oct 19-22; Minneapolis, Minnesota. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(5 Suppl_1):Abstract nr A045.
• Quantitative Phase Imaging Cartography: A New Lens into Traumatic Brain Injury. Jorge Maldonado DeJesus, Yuliia Kohut, David Liang, Sarah Alashqar, Isidra Baker, Casey Fornal, Siva Reddy Challa, Krishna Kumar Veeravalli, Billy Wang, and Catherine Best-Popescu. Neurotrauma, Philidelphia, PA, 2025

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Pending Articles

• Dynamic topological characterization of SLIM imaging in normal and in TBI derived neuronal culture network. Chenzhong Y, Best-Popescu CA., Maldonado,J., and P Bogdan.
• Quantitative phase microscopy of cell cultures in real-time and under dose-fractionated radiation fields:  A glimpse into time-resolved radiobiology. Jorge Maldonado, Catherine Best- Popescu and Dan Ionescu. Journal of Radiation Research and Applied Sciences
• Label-Free and Multiscale Biophysical Analysis of Myelinated Brain Structures Using Spatial Light Interference Microscopy Combined with Open-Source Tools Jorge Maldonado, Pras Bairwa, Will Hans, Shubham Thakar, Catherine Best-Popescu
• Multimodal, Multiscale Spatial Quantitative Phase Brain Moropholomics in a Murine Model of Traumatic Brain Injury. Jorge Maldonado and Catherine Best-Popescu Scientific Reports
• Biomimetic model for the identification of distinctive microenvironmental factors in glioblastoma radiosensitivity. Ryan Yao Isabella Rivera, Kimberly A Selting, Jorge Maldonado, Catherine A Best-Popescu, Hui Xu, Jann N Sarkaria, Yi Lu, Brendan AC Harley, Sara Pedron-Haba
• AI-enabled live-dead cell viability classification and motion forecasting. Anzhe Cheng, Chenzhong Yin, Michael A.S. Lamba, Mathieu Sertorio, Jorge Maldonado, Alexandre R. Sathler, Yu Chang, Catalin Chiritescu, Catherine A. Best, Dan Ionascu, Nicholas Kotov5, Shahin Nazarian, and Paul Bogdan
• Neuronal Dry Mass Dynamics Drives the Evolution of Neurons, Neurites and their Topology in Healthy and Traumatized Neuronal Networks Chenzhong Yin, Mingxi Cheng, Xinghe Chen, Anzhe Cheng, Young Jae Lee, Ruochen Yang, Jorge Maldonado De-Jesus, Gabriel Popescu, Catherine Best, Nicholas A. Kotov  and Paul Bogdan.
• Quantitative Phase Imaging Cartography: A New Lens into Traumatic Brain Injury Jorge Maldonado DeJesus, Yuliia Kohut, David Liang, Sarah Alashqar, Isidra Baker, Siva Reddy Challa, Krishna Kumar Veeravalli, Billy Chen Wang and Catherine Best-Popescu. Journal of Neurotrauma
• Characterization of regional MMP12 expression after traumatic brain injury through multimodal imaging with immunofluorescence and spatial light interference microscopy. David Liang, Jorge Maldonado DeJesus, Catherine Best-Popescu, Sarah Alashqar, Isidra Baker, Siva Reddy Challa, Krishna Kumar Veeravalli, Billy Chen Wang Journal of Neurotrauma

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Invited Lectures

• Spatial Light Interference Microscopy Historical Perspectives, Today and in the Future 
• Power of BioE: COVID-19 a Case Study
• Quantitative Phase Imaging Spatial Histocytometric Morpholomics in Mouse Models of Neurological Trauma and Disease
• Advances in multiscale biomedical imaging with quantitative phase imaging
• Biomedical Imaging with Quantitative Phase Imaging
• Remembering Gabi
• Mechanisms and Markers of Traumatic Brain Injury
• Investigating TBI: Light Emitting Diode Phototherapy in a Human Pilot Study, 2016
• Studying cells at the nanoscale using light
• Changes in Neurite Growth in a Cell Trauma Model Quantified by Phase Microscopy.
• Cellular Neuroscience Imaging Lab Research
• Measurement of Red Blood Cell Deformability during Morphological Changes
• The Visual System Seen Through Illusions and Lesions

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Other Publications

• Introducing the Special Issue on Label-Free Quantitative Phase Imaging Honoring Prof. Gabriel Popescu, a Pioneer in Biomedical Optics
• Concerns about brain cancer cases in Piatt County grow, but Illinois public health agency yet to investigate. Dr. Catherine Best-Popescu weighs in on the potential cluster of glioblastoma cases in Monticello and the Champaign Urbana, Illinois area.
• CCIL Planning Grant Powers Up Pioneering Glioblastoma Research. The team, Sara Pedron-Haba (lead) and Co-PIs Kim Selting and Catherine Best-Popescu, secured a $173,665 grant from the Elsa U. Pardee Foundation for their innovative use of preclinical models for the implementation of more precise radiotherapeutic approaches in Glioblastoma
• Julia Stillman (Psych), an undergraduate researcher from Catherine Best's Lab, shares her experience about her six-month-long co-op with the global pharmaceutical company, Merck.
• Introducing Illinois 2025 Mayo Clinic Summer Undergraduate Research Fellows. Cindy Chen from Catherine Best-Popescu's lab
• Meet the nine Illinois students selected as 2024 Mayo Clinic Summer Undergraduate Research Fellows 2024, Yasmin Khan from Professor Catherine Best-Popescu's Lab
• Feature Illinois Public Radio: Tech it or Leave it: Rising to the Challenge. Episode 4. Host Gwen Macsai Nov2 2020.

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Magazine Articles

• Feature cover story. Illinois Medicine Summer 2014 Illinois Medicine. Golden Apple Faculty Shine Across COM's Four Sites.

Journal Editorships

• Journal of Biomedical Optics 29 (S2), S22701 2024. Guest Editor. Stephen A. Boppart, Catherine A. Best-Popescu, Randy A. Bartels, and Kevin Eliceiri Introducing the Special Issue on Label-Free Quantitative Phase Imaging Honoring Prof. Gabriel Popescu, a Pioneer in Biomedical Optics, Journal of Biomedical Optics 29(S2), S22701 2024. https://doi.org/10.1117/1.JBO.29.S2.S22701

Professional Societies

• 2024 The International Society for Optics and Photonics (SPIE)
• 2022-2024 Psychoneuroimmunology Research Society (PNIRS)
• 2017-2024 Society for Neuroscience (SFN)
• 2016 Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES)
• 2005-2007 Society of Nephrology
• 2003-2005 Society for Investigative Pathology
• 2005 Member of Rho Chi Honor Society
• 1994 Member of Psi Chi Honor Society

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Service on Department Committees

• 2023-current  UIUC Bioengineering Undergraduate Curriculum Committee, University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign
• 2023-current  UIUC Neural Engineering Working Group Chair, UIUC
• 2020-current  UIUC Bioengineering Summer Camps Coordinator, University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign  (48 hours student instructional contact time, independent of councilor training and activity preparation time)
• 2020-current UIUC Bioengineering Diversity Committee, UIUC

Service on College Committees

• 2025 Strategic Research Initiative (SRI) Program Phase 1 Proposal Application Reviewer. University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign
• 2019-current  Granger Engineering Diversity Committee. University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign
• 2013-2014  COM-UC Team-Based Learning Working Group, College of Medicine at Urbana Champaign, University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign
• 2012-2014 COM- UC Chief Proctor NBME, College of Medicine at Urbana Champaign, University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign
• 2012-2014 COM-UC Americans with Disabilities (ADA) Proctor, College of Medicine at Urbana Champaign, University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign
• 2012-2014 COM-UC Executive Committee member, College of Medicine at Urbana Champaign, University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign
• 2012-2014  COM-UC Basic Science Subcommittee member, College of Medicine at Urbana Champaign, University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign
• 2012 COM-UC MSB 2 and 3-floor Remodeling Committee member. From instructional labs to an Active Learning Space and M2 Clinical learning patient rooms. College of Medicine at Urbana Champaign, University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign
• 2012 COM-UC Associate Program Director for the Internal Medicine Residency Program at the COM UC site Search Committee member, University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign
• 2011-2014 COM-UC Committee on Student Progress and Promotions member, College of Medicine at Urbana Champaign, University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign
• 2011-2014  COM-UIC Team-Based Learning Collaborative member College of Medicine at Chicago, University of Illinois at Chicago 
• 2011-2014 COM-UC Secretary for the Faculty, College of Medicine at Urbana Champaign, University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign

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Service on Campus Committees

• 2022-2024 UIUC Senator for Bioengineering Department

Other Outside Service

• 2020- 2021 Academy High School Crisis Plan Chair (Covid 2019 Five-member Task Force)

Teaching Honors

• Alpha Omega Alpha Robert Glaser Distinguished Teacher Nominee, COM UIUC (2015)
• UIC Urban Health program COM Team Member Servant Leadership Award, COM UIUC (2014)
• Teacher ranked as excellent, Med Neuro, COM UIUC 2012, 2013, 2014 (2012, 2013, and 2014)
• Raymond B. Allen Award - Golden Apple, M1 COM UIUC (2014)
• Raymond B. Allen Award - Golden Apple, M2 COM UIUC (2012)

Research Honors

• Individual Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award recipient, 2005, 2006

Public Service Honors

• COVID-19 Wall of Recognition in Engineering, Granger College of Engineering, UIUC (April 1 2020)

Improvement Activities

• 2021 CITL Illinois Summer Teaching Institute (Designing Your Course, Best Practices in Assessment for All Modalities, Developing Assessments with Quality Feedback, Alternative Summative Assessments, Assessments Using Zoom and Other Tools)

Recent Courses Taught

• BIOE 120 - Introduction to Bioengineering
• BIOE 570 - Seminar Series
• BIOE 571 - Biological Measurement I
• BIOE 572 - Biological Measurement II
• BIOE 575 - Capstone Project
• NE 100 - Intro to Neural Engineering
• NE 330 - Neuroscience for Engineers

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