Research Interests

The goal of our laboratory is to develop cost-effective optical imaging and spectroscopy tools to reduce the incidence and mortality of cancer and infectious disease through early detection at the point-of-care. In collaboration with the UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, we have developed novel cellular and molecular imaging technologies to recognize signatures of early neoplastic disease.  At the same time, we have developed optically active, targeted nanoparticles and fluorescent dyes to image directly the molecular hallmarks of cancer.  Through clinical trials at MD Anderson, Mount Sinai Medical Center, Tata Memorial Hospital in Mumbai, India, and Jilin University Hospital in China we have optimized these agents and imaging systems, demonstrating that they can detect precancerous lesions and early cancers in the oral cavity and the esophagus with high sensitivity and specificity.   More recently, we have initiated a multi-disciplinary effort to develop molecular specific contrast agents and optical micro-fluidic chips for point-of-care detection of infectious disease, through collaborations at Baylor College of Medicine and the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston.

What led you into research/teaching?

"I went into academics because I love teaching.  In many ways, teaching is about finding the best way to tell a complicated story – the story needs to have a compelling problem, and a logical beginning, middle and ending.  I really enjoy taking a complex scientific concept and finding the right way to tell the story."

Why is undergraduate research important?

"Teaching is about telling the story of science, but research is about helping to write the story of science.  I don’t think you can really understand and appreciate science and all the scientific progress which we enjoy until you have been in the lab trying to answer a question that has never been answered before.  It is critical that undergraduate be engaged in this process if they are contemplating careers in science."

Other information

"I love junk food and I shoot a mean game of pinball."

For more information about Dr. Richards-Kortum and to view other Bioengineering faculty, please visit the Bioengineering Departmental Website: http://bioe.rice.edu/