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Yang - Krynitsky - Tam - 2026

Mentor: Qiang Yang, Ph.D. | qiang.yang@nih.gov
Lab
Clinical and Translational Imaging Section
NEI
Mentor: Jonathan Krynitsky | jonathan.krynitsky@nih.gov
Lab
Instrumentation Development and Engineering Application Solutions
NIBIB
Mentor: Johnny Tam, Ph.D. | johnny@nih.gov
Lab
Clinical and Translational Imaging Section
NEI

Calibration of real time eye tracking scanners for adaptive optics

The Adaptive Optics Scanning Light Ophthalmoscope (AOSLO) is an important tool for the studies of the living human retina. Constant, random, involuntary eye movements cause the scanned imaging field to move continuously across the retina. These random eye movements can be a major hindrance to efficient AOSLO imaging, in some cases precluding imaging altogether. One solution is to use a fast steering mirror to track eye motion in real time and to optically stabilize the scanned field of the AOSLO. NEI has implemented this optical eye tracking strategy into an AOSLO system deployed in the NIH Clinical Center. The goal of this project is to continue to improve performance of eye tracking with specific goals:

1. Calibrate a next generation two-axis fast steering mirror for retinal tracking.

2. Calibrate two orthogonally oriented one-axis fast steering mirrors for eye pupil tracking.

3. Optimize existing algorithms of closed-loop eye tracking.

The intern will work under the guidance of their mentors to help advance the above project goals. Throughout the summer, they will have opportunities to access and utilize the advanced engineering resources at the NEI (Tam lab) and NIBIB (IDEAS lab). This will be a hands-on project best suited for students with Biomedical Engineering interests focused on hardware, especially optical hardware.

Tam lab: Research goals focused on understanding the onset and progression of retinal diseases at the cellular level, using advanced optical imaging techniques such as adaptive optics. Research spans the development, implementation, and application of advanced optical instrumentation, as well as the acquisition, processing, and analysis of rich imaging datasets. Tam lab roles in this collaboration include clinical expertise, adaptive optics instrumentation, optics and electronics, and software/computer system design and testing. More information about the Tam lab can be accessed at: https://nei.nih.gov/intramural/translational-imaging

IDEAS lab: Provides electrical, electronic, electro-optical, mechanical, computer, and software engineering expertise to NIH projects that require in-house technology development. Collaborations involve advanced signal transduction and data acquisition; real-time signal and image processing; control and monitoring systems; and rapid prototype development. Collaborations result in the design of first-of-a-kind biomedical/clinical research systems, instrumentation, and methodologies. IDEAS lab roles in this collaboration are focused on electronics and mechanical (e.g. 3D printing and CNC) design, fabrication, and support. More information about the IDEAS lab can be accessed at: https://www.nibib.nih.gov/labs-at-nibib/ideas-lab/projects/adaptive-opt…