Bifano LabBoston University

People

The lab

18 Ph.D. graduates and 26 master’s graduates since 1991, in mechanical, electrical, manufacturing, and materials engineering and physics.

Thomas Bifano

Thomas Bifano

Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Director of the Boston University Photonics Center. He co-founded Boston Micromachines Corporation in 1999 and served as its Chief Technology Officer until 2025. He served as Boston University’s Vice President and Associate Provost for Research ad interim in 2024–2025.

Curriculum vitae (PDF) · tgb@bu.edu

Current members

Nate HartNate HartPh.D. candidate, Mechanical Engineeringnatehart@bu.edu
Francisco SanchezFrancisco SanchezPh.D. candidate, Mechanical Engineeringsanchezf@bu.edu
Paul AduPaul AduM.S. candidate, Electrical & Computer Engineeringpadu@bu.edu
Erik CamperErik CamperREU studentefc5515@bu.edu
Dr. Jose ColmenaresDr. Jose ColmenaresRET participant, Berkshire Community Collegejcolmenares@berkshirecc.edu

Recent graduates

Dr. Ruifeng HuDr. Ruifeng HuPh.D. 2026, Mechanical Engineeringruh24@bu.edu
Dr. Kevin ManDr. Kevin ManPh.D. 2024 · Postdoc, Chan Zuckerberg Biohub Chicago
Dr. Marshall MaDr. Marshall MaPh.D. 2023 · Professor, Marymount University

Doctoral alumni

Name links to LinkedIn · title links to dissertation
YearNameFieldDissertation
2026Ruifeng HuMEElectrical and mechanical stimulation of engineered cardiac tissue
2024Wenkuan (Kevin) ManMSEStress-resilient electromagnetically actuated deformable mirror
2023Marshall MaMEHigh-throughput screening system for 3D engineered cardiac tissue
2020Devin BeaulieuEEReverberation multiphoton microscopy for volumetric imaging in scattering media
2018Will ShainPhysicsSolutions to linear problems in aberrated optical systems
2015Hari PaudelEECoherent beam control through inhomogeneous media in multi-photon microscopy
2014Yang LuMEAdaptive optics wavefront compensation for solid immersion microscopy in backside imaging
2009Alioune DioufMEFabrication processes for MEMS deformable mirrors in the next-generation telescope instruments
2008Yaopeng ZhouMfgEAdaptive optics two-photon scanning laser fluorescence microscopy for retinal imaging
2008Jason StewartEEDevelopment and control of a new class of segmented deformable mirrors for advanced astronomical imaging applications
2008Duk Joong KimEEIntegrated CMOS electronic drivers for large-scale metal MEMS mirror arrays using linearization techniques
2007Jin Hong KimMfgEManufacture of a reflective spatial light modulator integrated directly onto CMOS electronics
2005Julie PerreaultEEDevelopment and control of kilopixel MEMS deformable mirrors and spatial light modulators
1999Nelsimar VandelliMEDevelopment of MEMS microvalve arrays for fluid flow control
1998Raji Krishnamoorthy MaliMEMEMS deformable mirrors for adaptive optics
1997Helen FawcettMEPrecision manufacturing of optical disc stampers
1995Thomas DruedingMEPrecision ion figuring system for optical components
1993Yuan (Allen) YiMEUltraprecision grinding of ceramic mirrors

Master’s alumni

  • 2016D. Beaulieu, EE
  • 2010A. Legendre, ME
  • 2008M. Gingras, MfgE
  • 2008J. Castillo, EE
  • 2007G. Thompson, MfgE
  • 2007M. Lewis, ME
  • 2005S. Kratz, MfgE
  • 2005D. Sumorok, EE
  • 2005Y. Zhou, ME
  • 2004G. Reimann, MfgE
  • 2003M. Albanese, EE
  • 2002T. Evans, ME
  • 2002J. Collier, ME
  • 2002S. Cornelissen, ME
  • 2001C. Reherman, MfgE
  • 2000C. Hodge, ME
  • 2000M. Bancu, ME
  • 2000D. Malkani, ME
  • 1999P. Shanbhag, ME
  • 1999M. Feinberg, ME
  • 1994P. A. Bierden, ME
  • 1994R. Krishnamoorthy, ME
  • 1993E. Welch, ME
  • 1992P. A. Scagnetti, ME
  • 1992J. B. Hosler, ME
  • 1991D. K. Depiero, ME

Postdoctoral researchers

  • 2001–2002Hocheol Lee
  • 1998–1999Nicholas Rosen