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Roarke Horstmeyer

Assistant Professor of Biomedical Engineering
Biomedical Engineering
Box 90281, Durham, NC 27708-0548
Fitzpatrick Center (CIEMAS) Room 2569, 101 Science Drive, Durham, NC 27701

Research Interests


Computational optics, machine learning, and designing new algorithms for image processing. A main focus is to improve how we capture and use images of microscopic phenomena within a range of biomedical contexts. In general, I like to create new optical devices that can improve the utility of the information that we can gather about the world around us.

Selected Grants


Large area high resolution in vitro pathology

ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by Rice University · 2024 - 2029

CAREER: Multi-aperture 3D microscopy for cellular-scale measurement over macroscopic volumes

ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by National Science Foundation · 2023 - 2028

Optical interrogation of deep-brain activity via parallelized diffuse correlation spectroscopy

ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by National Science Foundation · 2024 - 2027

Automated OCT image guidance for diagnosis and treatment of diabetic retinopathy

FellowshipPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2024 - 2027

A digital polarization microscopy platform to enhance pathologist workflow

ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by North Carolina Biotechnology Center · 2024 - 2026

Large area high resolution in vitro pathology

ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by Rice University · 2024 - 2029

CAREER: Multi-aperture 3D microscopy for cellular-scale measurement over macroscopic volumes

ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by National Science Foundation · 2023 - 2028

Optical interrogation of deep-brain activity via parallelized diffuse correlation spectroscopy

ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by National Science Foundation · 2024 - 2027

Automated OCT image guidance for diagnosis and treatment of diabetic retinopathy

FellowshipPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2024 - 2027

A digital polarization microscopy platform to enhance pathologist workflow

ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by North Carolina Biotechnology Center · 2024 - 2026

Rapid measurement of prefrontal cortical activity using parallelized diffuse correlation spectroscopy

ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by Air Force Office of Scientific Research · 2021 - 2025

Point-of-care cellular and molecular pathology of breast tumors on a cell phone

ResearchInvestigator · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2020 - 2025

Hartwell Individual Biomedical Research Award

ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by Hartwell Foundation · 2021 - 2024

Fellowships, Gifts, and Supported Research


Young Researcher Award in Optical Technologies · March 2018 - March 2020 Guest Professor · School of Advanced Optical Technologies, University of Erlangen · $100,000.00 Awarded in recognition of outstanding work in the field of optics and optical technologies. http://www.aot.uni-erlangen.de/saot/events/celebrations-awards.html

External Relationships


  • Airilabs LLC
  • Kernel Inc.
  • Microscopic Image Recognition Algorithm (MIRA) Inc.
  • Ramona Optics Inc.
  • University of Erlangen School of Advanced Optical Technologies - $100k Young Researcher Award 2017

This faculty member (or a member of their immediate family) has reported outside activities with the companies, institutions, or organizations listed above. This information is available to institutional leadership and, when appropriate, management plans are in place to address potential conflicts of interest.