Biophysics
	Prof. Dolores Bozovic Physics of Auditory Neuroscience
	Current research in our laboratory is aimed to understand the biophysical mechanisms behind auditory neuroscience. The first step in our processing of sound is mediated by hair cells, specialized cells of the inner ear that detect mechanical stimuli and transduce them into electrical signals that are passed on to the rest of the brain. These cells can detect displacements smaller than 1 nm, and thus present us with a system in which nature has solved the problem of nanoscale detection. One of the projects in the laboratory is to study the effect of coupling between hair cells on the overall performance of the sensory organ. The student will be involved in the project to fabricate artificial polymer membranes, and interface them with live and functional cells, to look for synchronization in hair cell motility.
	Prof. Mayank Mehta & Prof. Katsuhi Arisaka Neurophysics by Virtual Reality
	How does our brain recognize space? There must be certain neural circuits which are responsible for space recognition. To address this challenge, we are developing a Virtual Reality system for rats, equipped with the world-fastest optical microscope. an REU student is expected to contribute to development of the VR system and microscope, and to take actual data and analyze them.
	Prof. Jianwei (John) Miao Interplay of Physics, Nanoscience and Biology
	My group is interested in the interplay of physics, nanoscience and biology. We are particularly interested in developing new physical methods for quantitative imaging of nanoscale materials and biological specimens in three dimensions. Presently, there are three research directions in my group: Coherent X-ray Diffraction Imaging of Biological Systems, Radiation Dose Reduction in Medical Imaging and the High-Speed Bio-imaging Project. We are looking for motivated students who are interested in conducting cutting-edge research in an interdisciplinary area.