Tomasz S. Tkaczyk

Assistant Professor in Bioengineering
Assistant Professor in Electrical and Computer Engineering

Postdoctoral Fellow, Applied Optics, The University of Arizona, Tucson  (2002 – 2003)
Postdoctoral Fellow, Biomedical Imaging, The University of Arizona, Tucson (2001 – 2002)
Ph.D. Optical Engineering and Physical Optics, Optical Engineering Division of the Institute of Micromechanics and Photonics, Warsaw University of Technology, Warsaw, Poland (2000)
MS. Eng. Optical Engineering, Department of Mechatronics, Warsaw University of Technology, Warsaw, Poland (1994)

Bio Sketch

Tomasz Tkaczyk specializes in the development of modern optical instruments that combine advanced technologies in optics, opto-mechanics, electronics and software, and bio-chemical materials for the early detection and treatment of diseases, such as cancer.

Tkaczyk’s basic, applied, and translational research is leading to the development of new imaging technologies that are compact, robust, portable, inexpensive, and adaptable to mass production. The compact optical imaging systems are ideal for point-of-care diagnostics in various clinical settings around the world.

Tkaczyk is the principal investigator (PI) on a recently awarded NIH R01research project to build and test an advanced dual-functioning medical instrument called the Bi-FOV Endoscope. The five-year investigator-initiated project involves several institutions and three subcontractors for the development of an integrated optical needle that works with contrast agents to provide real-time cancer detection. The endoscope is part of another ongoing project in which Tkaczyk serves as a co-principal investigator in the fabrication and testing of optical and mechanical technologies, such as miniaturized optics, micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) components, and low-cost/high performance and modern-fabrication technologies. The joint efforts with collaborators at Rice University and the University of Arizona have enabled new platform technologies or methods not possible five or even ten years ago, and are currently in clinical trials.

Through the support of an NIH R21 grant, Tkaczyk is working as a PI for the development of a snapshot hyperspectral imaging system that can be combined with molecular microscopy and medical diagnostics tools. The system will be capable of capturing entire images and spectral signature in one integrated step without scanning. A provisional patent application for this technology has already been submitted. This new technology has potential of becoming breakthrough modality for spectral imaging in many applications.

To date, Tkaczyk’s investigations have resulted in 20 peer-reviewed publications, 28 conference papers, 1 submitted book chapter, and 14 invited lectures that include presentations in Japan and Europe. He is the recipient of the Rice University Institute of Biosciences and Bioengineering’s Medical Innovations Award (2008) and Global Health Technologies award (2008) to develop high-throughput microscopy platform technologies that analyze several thousand cells in real time for the detection of tuberculosis.

Research Statement

Tkaczyk’s research in the Modern Optical Instrumentation and Bio-imaging Laboratory focuses on the development and application of novel imaging instruments and systems. The compact size and high-performance capabilities of the bio-imaging tools developed in his lab have tremendous potential for point-of-care diagnostics in various clinical settings around the world.

To effectively advance his engineering research, Tkaczyk’s group combines the newest technologies in:

• Optics (grayscale lithography, laser printing, free form diamond turning, molding, etc
• Opto-mechanics (LIGA, DRIE components);
• Electronics (custom detectors);
• Software (dedicated DSPs, new algorithms); and
• Bio-chemical materials (solgel, gold nanoparticles, quantum dots). 

Micro-optics research in bioengineering is a challenging task that requires a constant awareness of emerging technologies. Through collaborations with researchers in academic and industrial settings, Tkaczyk’s efforts are leading to the design and testing of optical and mechanical technologies in:

• High-performance imaging micro-endoscopes that work with contrast agents and provide real-time cancer detection;
• Modern and inexpensive technologies that enable high performance and are adaptable to mass production; and
• High-throughput techniques like super-resolution or hyper-spectral imaging capabilities for optical screening devices that increase sensitivity and specificity for the detection of disease.