Meet Our Current Lab Members

Farzad Fereidouni, PhD
Dr. Farzad Fereidouni is an Associate Professor at Emory University in the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine. With a strong background in optical imaging and photonics, Dr. Fereidouni has dedicated his career to advancing the integration of innovative imaging technologies into clinical practice.
He earned his PhD in Biophysics from Utrecht University, focusing on multispectral lifetime imaging methods and applications. His postdoctoral training at the Delft University of Technology and UC Davis further expanded his expertise in super-resolution microscopy and rapid, slide-free histology techniques.
Dr. Fereidouni has been the major contributor in developing imaging methods such as Fluorescence Imitating Brightfield Imaging (FIBI) and Microscopy with Ultraviolet Surface Excitation (MUSE). These technologies aim to streamline diagnostic workflows and improve real-time surgical guidance, offering histology-grade imaging without traditional slide preparation.
At Emory, his research continues to bridge engineering and clinical needs, focusing on the integration of artificial intelligence and advanced imaging in pathology to improve diagnostic accuracy and patient outcomes.

Cassandra Cook
Cassandra Cook graduated with honors from the University of South Carolina in 2018 with a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering. Starting in June 2018, she began working in Mountain View, CA as a Hardware Test Engineer and subsequently a Mechanical Design Engineer with Omnicell Inc. During this time she focused mostly on electromechanical design, prototyping, test protocol development, and international vendor qualification.
In 2021 Cassandra moved to Atlanta, GA to take a position as a Senior and then Principal Software Implementation Specialist. In this role she assisted in the development, design, testing, and implementation of software supply chain solutions for various billion-dollar clients, utilizing skills in Python, JSON, API integration, and HTML design.
Cassandra joined Dr. Fereidouni’s lab in October 2024 as a Research Biomedical Engineer. She looks forward to lending her mechanical design and testing expertise to the team’s research efforts.

Eugenie Dulout
Eugenie is a Software Engineer in the Fereidouni Lab at Emory University dedicated to advancing artificial intelligence in medical imaging, leveraging deep learning to enhance cancer diagnostic accuracy. She graduated in 2024 with a Master’s in Biomedical Engineering from Columbia University, following a Master’s and Bachelor’s in Computer Science from Telecom Paris in France. With a passion for merging technology and healthcare, Eugenie strives to develop innovative AI solutions that transform patient care. Outside of her work, she enjoys art and traveling.

Jocelyn Jensen
Jocelyn Jensen is a Research Biomedical Engineer in the Fereidouni Lab at Emory University, where she works on advancing imaging technologies to improve pathology workflows and enhance cancer diagnostics. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Bioengineering with a minor in Art History from the University of Washington. While at UW, she conducted research in the Human Photonics Laboratory, contributing to the development of rapid point-of-care breast cancer diagnostics using MUSE (Microscopy with UV Surface Excitation) technology and core needle biopsies. Jocelyn is passionate about reducing patient burden through innovation in medical diagnostics and aspires to pursue a PhD/JD, focusing on the intersection of bioethics, law, and biotechnology. Outside of her research, she enjoys hiking, crocheting, and exploring new coffee shops.

Ruben Gnanaruban
Ruben Gnanaruban is a seasoned R&D Engineer with a strong background in biomedical, computational, and robotics engineering. Holding a BS in Mechanical Engineering and two MS degrees (Biomedical Engineering from UT San Antonio and Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering from UC Davis), Ruben is a versatile professional with expertise in computer vision, algorithm design, robotics, embedded systems, imaging, and optical systems.
Collaborating with Dr. Fereidouni, Ruben has contributed significantly to projects such as 3D scanning (laser and focus-based methods), machine learning-driven color conversion, and automated tissue slicing. Driven by a desire to create innovative solutions with a positive impact on the biomedical field, Ruben is dedicated to advancing technology and improving healthcare.
Outside of work, Ruben enjoys outdoor activities like hiking, camping, and swimming, as well as indulging in his passion for baking.

Willy Ju
Willy studied Molecular and Cell Biology with an emphasis in Immunology for his undergraduate degree at UC Berkeley. He has experience in clinical research coordination and histopathology from his time working at UC Davis Health. With interest in precision medicine, he is currently studying novel imaging and computational approaches that aim to advance personalized diagnostics and care. As the Senior Research Specialist on the team, Willy works on FIBI and DUET microscopy approaches to develop valuable tools for clinicians and researchers. He enjoys swimming, playing basketball, and cooking in his free time.

Ruben Renteria
Ruben earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science, where he developed a strong foundation in software engineering. As a Lab Software Engineer, he focuses on creating and updating software tools used by pathologists to enhance cancer diagnosis tasks. His work encompasses computer vision, machine learning, algorithmic design, user interface design, and application design. Outside the lab, Ruben enjoys running, exploring new places, and spending quality time with friends.

Dena Sayrafi
Dena Sayrafi received her bachelor’s degree in Biomedical Engineering from the University of California, Davis in 2023. Following her graduation, she began working as a Junior Specialist in the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at UC Davis Health under the supervision of Dr. Farzad Fereidouni. She followed Dr. Fereidouni to Emory University where she is now a Research Biomedical Engineer.
Dena has actively contributed to research projects focused on developing imaging instrumentation and intraoperative guidance approaches, directly applicable to pathology and patient care. She is particularly interested in biophotonics and the clinical application of label-free fluorescence lifetime imaging and plans to pursue a PhD to further her research. She is motivated by the desire to impact patient care by developing innovations for disease prevention, diagnosis, and treatment, and aims to ensure that these technologies and strategies are adopted in geographically and economically diverse healthcare settings worldwide.

Shelly Seth
Shelly graduated in 2023 from Carleton College, a small liberal arts school in Northfield, Minnesota. She majored in Biology and minored in Biochemistry and Neuroscience. During college, she did genetics research on C. elegans using confocal microscopy and clinical neuroscience research on spinal cord injuries and the stroke team response. She currently is a Laboratory Assistant and helps with DUET microscopy in kidney fibrosis, colorectal cancer, and other tissues. In her free time, she likes to knit, paint, and play with her dog, Ellie. She will be starting medical school next fall at Mercer University School of Medicine.