Faculty
Michael L. Oelze
Assistant Professor
324 Coordinated Science Lab, MC-228
1308 W. Main St.
Urbana, Illinois 61801
(217) 333-9226
PhD in Physics, University of Mississippi, 2000
Research Statement:
Professor Oelze’s research deals with several aspects of ultrasound/tissue interaction including: cancer detection using quantitative ultrasound, ultrasound microscopy, bioeffects of ultrasound and ultrasound induced transfection, and coded excitation. Professor Oelze is using quantitative ultrasound techniques to analyze ultrasonic backscatter for breast cancer detection. The project examined several kinds of solid tumors (cancer) in rats and mice and examined the frequency-dependent backscatter from the tumors. Models were used to relate the backscatter to tissue microstructure and to differentiate the different kinds of tumors. Professor Oelze has examined the effects of ultrasound on hemorrhaging of lung tissue. Dr. Oelze is also studying the use of very high frequency ultrasound for experiments in ultrasound backscatter microscopy. Dr. Oelze has been studying inverse scattering techniques to create tomographic reconstructions of the sound speed, density and attenuation of materials. He plans to build a high frequency ultrasound computed tomography device to be improve functional tissue engineering by providing high-resolution spatial maps of mechanical properties of bioengineered tissues and native tissues. Dr. Oelze is researching means to estimate the concentration of ultrasound contrast agents in vivo from the backscattered signals. Dr. Oelze has developed a novel coded excitation technique combined with pulse compression to double the bandwidth of an ultrasonic imaging system. The additional bandwidth can be used to improve spatial resolution, improve contrast resolution, and/or improve the estimation of scatterer properties. Dr. Oelze is also interested in using coded excitation to improve harmonic imaging in ultrasound. Finally, Dr. Oelze is working on techniques to stage, monitor, and assess high-intensity focused ultrasound treatment of solid tumors. The technique is based on using quantitative ultrasound imaging to detect tissue changes due to temperature rise in tissues, and assessing noninvasively the effects of thermal ablation and hyperthermia on tissues.
Teaching Statement:
Professor Oelze is interested in teaching wave propagation, acoustics, ultrasonic imaging, electromagnetics, biomedical imaging and mentoring students in research activities.
Research Interests:
- Ultrasound backscatter microscopy
- Quantitative ultrasound imaging
- Cancer diagnosis using ultrasound
- Treatment monitoring using ultrasound
- Bioeffects of ultrasound
- Sonoporation
- Ultrasound Computed Tomography
- Coded Excitation and Ultrasound
Undergraduate Research Opportunities:
Several projects are available for undergraduate research including the use of coding schemes to enhance ultrasonic imaging capabilities, devising improved measurement and calibration techniques for ultrasonic imaging, and quantifying materials using ultrasound. Students involved in these research opportunities will learn to characterize and calibrate ultrasonic sources, process data, and develop important laboratory skills.
For more information:
Bioacoustics Research Laboratory Page
Honors, Recognition, and Outstanding Achievements
- 3M Nontenured faculty award
- F32 NIH Individual Postdoctoral Fellowship, 2002-2004
Honors, Recognition, and Outstanding Achievements for Teaching
- Teacher Ranked as Excellent by Students, Fall 2006
Honors, Recognition, and Outstanding Achievements for Research
- 2nd Place Student Paper Competition, 153rd meeting of ASA