Meet Our Current Lab Members
Farzad Fereidouni, PhD
Dr. Farzad Fereidouni is an Associate Professor at Emory University in the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine. With a strong background in optical imaging and photonics, Dr. Fereidouni has dedicated his career to advancing the integration of innovative imaging technologies into clinical practice.
He earned his PhD in Biophysics from Utrecht University, focusing on multispectral lifetime imaging methods and applications. His postdoctoral training at the Delft University of Technology and UC Davis further expanded his expertise in super-resolution microscopy and rapid, slide-free histology techniques.
Dr. Fereidouni has been the major contributor in developing imaging methods such as Fluorescence Imitating Brightfield Imaging (FIBI) and Microscopy with Ultraviolet Surface Excitation (MUSE). These technologies aim to streamline diagnostic workflows and improve real-time surgical guidance, offering histology-grade imaging without traditional slide preparation.
At Emory, his research continues to bridge engineering and clinical needs, focusing on the integration of artificial intelligence and advanced imaging in pathology to improve diagnostic accuracy and patient outcomes.
Cassandra Cook
Cassandra Cook graduated with honors from the University of South Carolina in 2018 with a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering. Starting in June 2018, she began working in Mountain View, CA as a Hardware Test Engineer and subsequently a Mechanical Design Engineer with Omnicell Inc. During this time she focused mostly on electromechanical design, prototyping, test protocol development, and international vendor qualification.
In 2021 Cassandra moved to Atlanta, GA to take a position as a Senior and then Principal Software Implementation Specialist. In this role she assisted in the development, design, testing, and implementation of software supply chain solutions for various billion-dollar clients, utilizing skills in Python, JSON, API integration, and HTML design.
Cassandra joined Dr. Fereidouni’s lab in October 2024 as a Research Biomedical Engineer. She looks forward to lending her mechanical design and testing expertise to the team’s research efforts.
Georgia Denzik
Georgia Denzik earned her Bachelor of Science in Cellular and Molecular Biology from Auburn University in 2024. As an undergraduate, she worked as a research assistant in the infectious disease laboratory at Auburn University’s School of Veterinary Medicine, where she focused on Pythium insidiosum and Aeromonas hydrophila.
In December 2024, Georgia began an ORISE Fellowship at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), working first in the Division of STD Prevention’s Mycoplasma genitalium unit and later in the Tuberculosis Elimination Branch. During her time at the CDC, she contributed to the implementation of advanced molecular detection techniques for genomic epidemiological surveillance and research on M. genitalium. She also supported the development of sequencing applications aimed at investigating drug resistance mechanisms in Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
Georgia joined Dr. Fereidouni’s lab in August 2025 as a laboratory assistant. She brings with her a strong foundation in infectious disease research and is excited to contribute to the lab’s ongoing projects. In her free time, Georgia enjoys cooking, playing video games, gardening, and watching movies.
Eugenie Dulout
Eugenie is a Software Engineer in the Fereidouni Lab at Emory University dedicated to advancing artificial intelligence in medical imaging, leveraging deep learning to enhance cancer diagnostic accuracy. She graduated in 2024 with a Master’s in Biomedical Engineering from Columbia University, following a Master’s and Bachelor’s in Computer Science from Telecom Paris in France. With a passion for merging technology and healthcare, Eugenie strives to develop innovative AI solutions that transform patient care. Outside of her work, she enjoys art and traveling.
Ruben Gnanaruban
Ruben Gnanaruban is a seasoned R&D Engineer with a strong background in biomedical, computational, and robotics engineering. Holding a BS in Mechanical Engineering and two MS degrees (Biomedical Engineering from UT San Antonio and Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering from UC Davis), Ruben is a versatile professional with expertise in computer vision, algorithm design, robotics, embedded systems, imaging, and optical systems.
Collaborating with Dr. Fereidouni, Ruben has contributed significantly to projects such as 3D scanning (laser and focus-based methods), machine learning-driven color conversion, and automated tissue slicing. Driven by a desire to create innovative solutions with a positive impact on the biomedical field, Ruben is dedicated to advancing technology and improving healthcare.
Outside of work, Ruben enjoys outdoor activities like hiking, camping, and swimming, as well as indulging in his passion for baking.
Diya Jain
Diya Jain is a current biomedical engineering masters student at Georgia Tech doing research at the Fereidouni lab as a Graduate Research Assistant. Throughout her undergraduate studies she had internships at Stryker, Medline and MVE Biological Solutions where she developed her hands on prototyping skills as well as research skills. She is looking forward to contributing her skills to the lab and working on improving her skills while researching and enhancing diagnostic tools. In her free time, she enjoys spending time at the lake and traveling.
Willy Ju
Willy studied Molecular and Cell Biology with an emphasis in Immunology for his undergraduate degree at UC Berkeley. He has experience in clinical research coordination and histopathology from his time working at UC Davis Health. With interest in precision medicine, he is currently studying novel imaging and computational approaches that aim to advance personalized diagnostics and care. As the Senior Research Specialist on the team, Willy works on FIBI and DUET microscopy approaches to develop valuable tools for clinicians and researchers. He enjoys swimming, playing basketball, and cooking in his free time.
Ruben Renteria
Ruben earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science, where he developed a strong foundation in software engineering. As a Lab Software Engineer, he focuses on creating and updating software tools used by pathologists to enhance cancer diagnosis tasks. His work encompasses computer vision, machine learning, algorithmic design, user interface design, and application design. Outside the lab, Ruben enjoys running, exploring new places, and spending quality time with friends.
Sarah Rezapour
Sarah Rezapour earned her MD degree from Tehran University of Medical Sciences (Tehran, Iran) in 2015. Following the completion of her degree, she embarked on practice in the field of medicine, gaining invaluable experience in patient care and medical practice. With a passion for delving deeper into the unmet needs in clinical settings, she transitioned into the research arena, joining the Tehran Research Institute of Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases. Her project was directed toward unraveling the complex pathways involved in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) progression and developing novel approaches for diagnosis and treatment.
In May 2023, Dr. Rezapour joined the Serpooshan Lab at Emory University as a postdoctoral research fellow. Her work has primarily focused on developing a 3D biomanufactured model to study liver fibrosis in Fontan-associated liver disease (FALD). Utilizing advanced 3D biofabrication and in vitro culture techniques, she has constructed a vascularized 3D models of the human hepatic sinusoid to compare healthy vs diseased tissue environments under altered hemodynamic conditions.
Pursuing her long-term goal of becoming a physician-scientist in pathology, Sarah joined the Fereidouni Lab in May 2025. Her research bridges bench science with clinical application, focusing on next-generation imaging technologies developed by Dr. Fereidouni. These include AI-assisted interpretation of human tissue samples and advanced slide-free imaging platforms designed to enhance diagnostic precision and support real-time clinical decision-making.
Asher Seibel
Asher Seibel is a 3rd Year undergraduate student pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience and Behavioral Biology with a minor in Religion at Emory University. He previously worked at the Allen Institute for Neural Dynamics, where he annotated neuroanatomical structures to support large-scale brain imaging projects, and at the University of Washington’s Virtual Reality Research Center, where he contributed to research on immersive VR as a non-opioid analgesic. Asher joined Dr. Fereidouni’s lab in 2025. With a passion to understand how technology is affecting patient outcomes, he works on the development of new slide-free staining methods to improve histological visualization of bone and other tissues.
In addition to research, Asher works as an Advanced EMT with Emory EMS and as an AHA CPR Instructor. In his free time, he enjoys tennis, running, and spending time outdoors.
Jialu Xu
Jialu Xu earned her Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Rochester in 2025. She is now a PhD student in the joint Biomedical Engineering program at Georgia Tech and Emory University, where she is a member of the Dr. Fereidouni Lab. For her doctoral research, she aims to develop novel, accurate, and efficient imaging tools by integrating different modalities to serve the needs of both clinical and research environments. Building on her undergraduate experience in lens design, PCB design, and soldering, she is expanding her engineering skill set to create practical and impactful imaging systems. Outside of the lab, Jialu enjoys studio art, dancing, and tennis.