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Yang - Tam - 2026

Mentor: Qiang Yang, Ph.D. | qiang.yang@nih.gov
Lab
Clinical and Translational Imaging Section
NEI
Mentor: Johnny Tam, Ph.D. | johnny@nih.gov
Lab
Clinical and Translational Imaging Section
NEI

Optimization of adaptive optics image processing software and datasets

A custom-built multi-Megahertz swept source Adaptive Optics Optical Coherence Tomography (AOOCT) deployed in the National Eye Institute Eye Clinic generates 4D data from patients' eyes at a rate of ~6 Gigabytes per second. A typical imaging session outputs 15-20 Terabytes of data. To process these data efficiently and bring the results to clinical applications in timely manner, it is critically important to streamline the pipeline for post-acquisition data processing. A major goal of this project is to optimize the initial data processing steps to condition raw AOOCT data, with the following specific goals:

1. Develop an understanding of the basic fundamentals of AOOCT imaging

2. Gain hands on experience with processing raw AOOCT data using custom software in C/C++

3. Create and condition new datasets to help streamline the AOOCT data processing pipeline

The intern will work under the guidance of their mentors to help advance the above project goals. They should be comfortable with C/C++ programming (ideally Microsoft Visual C++) and ideally is familiar with the concepts of cross correlation, Fast Fourier Transfer, and numerical analysis. The project will include the development of both graphics user interface and imaging algorithms in a 64-bit Windows OS environment. Throughout the summer, they will have opportunities to access and utilize the advanced engineering resources at the NEI (Tam lab). This will be a hands-on project best suited for students with interests focused on biomedical image processing.

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