University of Oklahoma engineer elected as fellow member of Optica

Optica, an international association in optics and photonics, recently announced the election of University of Oklahoma engineering professor Javier Jo, Ph.D., as a Fellow member. 

Jo, a faculty member in the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, was honored for his contributions to integrating optical imaging and artificial intelligence for biomedical applications. His research focuses on developing optical sensing and imaging technologies to understand pathophysiological mechanisms in human diseases and improve their clinical management.

“Dr. Jo’s groundbreaking research, which combines optical imaging and artificial intelligence, has significantly advanced our understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying human diseases. This well-deserved recognition from such a prestigious association reflects the significance of these contributions,” said J.R. Cruz, Ph.D., director of the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering.

At OU, Jo’s research program addresses instrumentation development and computational imaging science, aiming to meet unmet biomedical research and clinical practice needs. He has secured over $12 million in research funding as a principal or co-principal investigator from such institutions as the National Institutes of Health, American Heart Association, Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas and Qatar National Research Fund, as well as from the governments of Mexico, Brazil and Peru. 

Jo joined the Gallogly College of Engineering in 2019. He holds a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Pontificia Universidad Católica del Peru and a master’s degree in electrical engineering and a doctorate in biomedical engineering, both from the University of Southern California, Los Angeles. He was a postdoctoral fellow at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles and a project scientist at the University of California, Davis. From 2006 to 2018, he was a faculty member in biomedical engineering at Texas A&M University, where he founded the Laboratory for Optical Diagnosis and Imaging.

About Optica: Optica (formerly OSA) is dedicated to promoting the generation, application, archiving and dissemination of knowledge in optics and photonics worldwide. Founded in 1916, it is the leading organization for scientists, engineers, business professionals, students and others interested in the science of light. Fellow membership in Optica is limited to 10% of the membership and is reserved for members who have served with distinction in the advancement of optics and photonics.

About OU Engineering: The Gallogly College of Engineering at the University of Oklahoma is composed of seven schools: Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering; Sustainable Chemical, Biological and Materials Engineering; Civil Engineering and Environmental Science; Computer Science; Electrical and Computer Engineering; Industrial and System Engineering; and the Stephenson School of Biomedical Engineering. With more than 175 faculty members, THE COLLEGE is committed to providing a hands-on, real-world approach for its students.

About the University of Oklahoma: Founded in 1890, the University of Oklahoma is a public research university located in Norman, Oklahoma. As the state’s flagship university, OU serves the educational, cultural, economic and health care needs of the state, region and nation. OU was named the state’s highest-ranking university in U.S. News & World Report’s most recent Best Colleges list.