Catherine Alicia Best-Popescu

Research Interests

• Mobility and Communication Solutions for Cerebral Palsy
• QPI Investigation of Glioblastoma Treatment
• Quantitative Phase Imaging (QPI) of Mouse Models of Neurological Disease and Trauma.

Research Statement

I direct the Cellular Neuroscience Imaging Lab (CNI) in the Department of Bioengineering. Our research group uses quantitative phase microscopy techniques to investigate neurological disease and trauma.

The CNI works across the molecular to the behavioral scales and at the intersection between bioengineering, neuroscience, and medicine.

Undergraduate Research Opportunities

We are looking for undergraduate students interested in integrating bioengineering, neuroscience and medicine.

Graduate Research Opportunities

Looking for energetic students interested in projects at the interface of bioengineering, neuroscience and medicine.

Post-Doctoral Research Opportunities

Looking for energetic post-docs interested in projects at the interface of bioengineering, neuroscience and medicine.

Primary Research Area

• Molecular, Cellular and Tissue Engineering

Chapters in Books

• Optical Sensing of Red Blood Cell Dynamics by YK Park, C A. Best-Popescu, and G Popescu, in "Mechanobiology of cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions," Edited by Amy Wagoner Johnson (Springer, 2011)
• Erythrocyte Nanoscale Flickering: A Marker for Disease by C. A. Best-Popescu, in Nanobiophotonics, Edited by G. Popescu (McGraw Hill, 2010).

Selected Articles in Journals

• Ranoa DRE, Holland RL, Alnaji FG, Green KJ, Wang L, Fredrickson RL, Wang T, Wong GN, Uelmen J, Maslov S, Weiner ZJ, Tkachenko AV, Zhang H, Liu Z, Ibrahim A, Patel SJ, Paul JM, Vance NP, Gulick JG, Satheesan SP, Galvan IJ, Miller A, Grohens J, Nelson TJ, Stevens MP, Hennessy PM, Parker RC Jr, Santos E, Brackett C, Steinman JD, Fenner MR Jr, Dohrer K, DeLorenzo M, Wilhelm-Barr L, Brauer BR, Best-Popescu C, Durack G, Wetter N, Kranz DM, Breitbarth J, Simpson C, Pryde JA, Kaler RN, Harris C, Vance AC, Silotto JL, Johnson M, Valera EA, Anton PK, Mwilambwe L, Bryan SP, Stone DS, Young DB, Ward WE, Lantz J, Vozenilek JA, Bashir R, Moore JS, Garg M, Cooper JC, Snyder G, Lore MH, Yocum DL, Cohen NJ, Novakofski JE, Loots MJ, Ballard RL, Band M, Banks KM, Barnes JD, Bentea I, Black J, Busch J, Conte A, Conte M, Curry M, Eardley J, Edwards A, Eggett T, Fleurimont J, Foster D, Fouke BW, Gallagher N, Gastala N, Genung SA, Glueck D, Gray B, Greta A, Healy RM, Hetrick A, Holterman AA, Ismail N, Jasenof I, Kelly P, Kielbasa A, Kiesel T, Kindle LM, Lipking RL, Manabe YC, Mayes J, McGuffin R, McHenry KG, Mirza A, Moseley J, Mostafa HH, Mumford M, Munoz K, Murray AD, Nolan M, Parikh NA, Pekosz A, Pflugmacher J, Phillips JM, Pitts C, Potter MC, Quisenberry J, Rear J, Robinson ML, Rosillo E, Rye LN, Sherwood M, Simon A, Singson JM, Skadden C, Skelton TH, Smith C, Stech M, Thomas R, Tomaszewski MA, Tyburski EA, Vanwingerden S, Vlach E, Watkins RS, Watson K, White KC, Killeen TL, Jones RJ, Cangellaris AC, Martinis SA, Vaid A, Brooke CB, Walsh JT, Elbanna A, Sullivan WC, Smith RL, Goldenfeld N, Fan TM, Hergenrother PJ, Burke MD. Mitigation of SARS-CoV-2 transmission at a large public university. Nat Commun. 2022 Jun 9;13(1):3207. doi: 10.1038/s41467-022-30833-3. PMID: 35680861; PMCID: PMC9184485.
• Goswami, N., He, Y.R., Deng, Y.H.,  Oh C., Sobh N., Valera E., Rashid B., Nahed I., Kong H., Nguyen T.H., Best-Popescu C.A., and Popescu G. Label-free SARS-CoV-2 detection and classification using phase imaging with computational specificity. Light Sci Appl. 2021;10, 176.
• Ma Y, Lee Y, Best-Popescu C, Gao L. High-speed compressed-sensing fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy of live cells. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2021 Jan 19;118(3):e2004176118. doi: 10.1073/pnas.2004176118. PMID: 33431663; PMCID: PMC7826382.
• King WP, Amos J, Azer M, Baker D, Bashir R, Best C, Bethke E, Boppart SA, Bralts E, Corey RM, Dietkus R, Durack G, Elbel S, Elliott G, Fava J, Goldenfeld N, Goldstein MH, Hayes C, Herndon N, Jamison S, Johnson B, Johnson H, Johnson M, Kolaczynski J, Lee T, Maslov S, McGregor DJ, Milner D, Moller R, Mosley J, Musser A, Newberger M, Null D, O'Bryan L, Oelze M, O'Leary J, Pagano A, Philpott M, Pianfetti B, Pille A, Pizzuto L, Ricconi B, Rubessa M, Rylowicz S, Shipley C, Singer AC, Stewart B, Switzky R, Tawfick S, Wheeler M, White K, Widloski EM, Wood E, Wood C, Wooldridge AR. Emergency ventilator for COVID-19. PLoS One. 2020 Dec 30;15(12):e0244963. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0244963. PMID: 33378363; PMCID: PMC7773325.
• Goswami, N., He, Y. R., Deng, Y-H., Oh, C., Sobh, N., Valera, E., Bashir, R., Ismail, N., Kong, H. J., Nguyen, T. H., Best-Popescu, C., & Popescu, G. (2020). Rapid SARS-CoV-2 Detection and Classification Using Phase Imaging with Computational Specificity. (bioRxiv). Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press. https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.12.14.422601.
• Fanous M, Caputo MP, Lee YJ, Rund LA, Best-Popescu C, Kandel ME, Johnson RW, Das T, Kuchan MJ, Popescu G. Quantifying myelin content in brain tissue using color Spatial Light Interference Microscopy (cSLIM). PLoS One. 2020 Nov 19;15(11):e0241084. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0241084. PMID: 33211727; PMCID: PMC7676665.
• M. Kandel, C. Hu, G. Kouzehgarani, E. Min, K. Sullivan, H. Kong, J. Li, D. Robson, M. Gillette, C. Best-Popescu, and G. Popescu, Epi-illumination gradient light interference microscopy for imaging opaque structures, Nature Communications, October 16, 2019.
• R. W. Motl, G.M. Niemiro, M.D. Lisio, S. Suommer, B.J. Riskin and C.A. Best-Popescu Hu, G. Kouzehgarani, E. Min, K. Sullivan, H. Kong, J. Li, D. Robson, M. Gillette, C.A. Best-Popescu, Ultraviolet B Phototherapy Intervention in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis: A Prospective, Randomized Pilot Trial. Journal of Neurological Research and Therapy, 3 (1), (2019). DOI: 10.14302/issn.2470-5020.jnrt-19-2797.
• H. Majeed, L. Ma, Y.J. Lee, M.E. Kandel, E. Min, W. Jung, C.A. Best-Popescu and G. Popescu. Magnified Image Spatial Spectrum (MISS) microscopy for nanometer and millisecond scale label free imaging. Optics Express, 26 (5), 5423 (2018).
• R. Barakat, P.C. Lin, C.J. Park, C. Best-Popescu, H.H. Bakery, M.E. Abosalum, N.M. Abdelaleem, J.A. Flaws, and CheMyong Ko. Prenatal Exposure to DEHP Induces Neuronal Degeneration and Neurobehavioral Abnormalities in Adult Male Mice, Toxicological Sciences, 1-14 (2018). PMID:29688563 doi: 10.1093/toxsci/kfy103
• M. E. Kandel, M. Fanous, C.A. Best-Popescu and G. Popescu. Real-time halo correction in phase contrast imaging, Biomed. Opt. Express 9(2), 623-635 (2018).
• Y.J. Lee, P. Cintora, J. Arikkath, A. Olaoluwa, M. Kandel, G. Popescu, and C.A. Best-Popescu, Quantitative assessment of neural outgrowth using spatial light interference microscopy. J. Biomed. Opt. 22 (6) (2017). doi:10.1117/1. JBO.22.6.066015.
• P. Cintora, Y.J. Lee, G. Popescu and C.A. Best-Popescu, Cell density modulates intracellular mass transport in neural networks Cytometry: Part A, 91(5): 503-509 (2017).
• E. Min, S. Ban, Y. Wang, S. Bae, G. Popescu, C.A. Best-Popescu, and W. Jung, Measurement of multispectral scattering properties in mouse brain tissue, Biomed. Opt. Express 8 (3), 1763-1770 (2017)
• T. H. Nguyen, M. Kandel, H. M. Shakir, C.A Best-Popescu, M. N. Do, and G. Popescu, Halo-free Phase Contrast Microscopy, Scientific Reports 7, article number:44034 (2017). doi: 10.1038/srep44034.
• M. Kandel, H. Shakir, C.A. Best-Popescu, and G. Popescu, Three-Dimensional Intracellular Transport in Neuron Bodies and Neurites Investigated by Label-Free Dispersion-Relation Phase Spectroscopy, Cytometry: Part A 91(5):519-526. doi: 10.1002/cyto.a.23081 (2017).
• E. Min, M.E. Kandel, J. Ko. CheMyong, G. Popescu, W. Jung. and C.A. Best-Popescu, Label-free, multi-scale imaging of ex-vivo mouse brain using spatial light interference microscopy, Scientific Reports, 6: (2016). PMCID: PMC5180101
• S. Lee, H. Park H, C.A.Best-Popescu, S.Jang, and Y. Park Y, The Effects of Ethanol on the Morphological and Biochemical Properties of Individual Human Red Blood Cells PLoS ONE 10 (12): e0145327 (2015). PMCID: PMC4699194.
• H. Wang, B.Wang, N. Kieran, K. Jackson, K. Spitler, M.F. Sharrock, C. Miller, C. Best, D. Llano and D. Rose. Brain temperature and its fundamental properties: a review for clinical neuroscientists, Frontiers in Neuroscience, 8:307 (2014) doi:10.3389/fnins.2014.00307
• H.V. Pham, B. Bhaduri, K. Tangella, C.A. Best-Popescu and G. Popescu, Real time blood testing using quantitative phase imaging, PloS ONE, 8(2):e55676 (2013). PMCID: PMC3565969
• Y.K. Park, C.A. Best-Popescu, T.Kuriabova, M.L. Henle, M.S. Feld, A.J. Levine and G. Popescu, Measurement of nonlinear microrheology of red blood cells, Phys. Rev. E, 83 (2011). PMCID: PMC3350818
• Y. K. Park, C. A. Best-Popescu, R. R. Dasari, and G. Popescu, Light scattering of human red blood cells during metabolic remodeling of the membrane, Biomed Opt 16 (2011). PMCID: PMC3041812
• Y. K. Park, C. A. Best-Popescu, K. Badizadegan, R. R. Dasari, M. S. Feld, T. Kuriabova, M. L. Henle, A. J. Levine and G. Popescu, Measurement of red blood cell mechanics during morphological changes, Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci., (2010). PMCID: PMC2872375
• Y. K. Park, C. A. Best-Popescu, T. Auth, N. Gov, S. A. Safran, G. Popescu, S. Suresh and M. S. Feld, Metabolic remodeling of the human red blood cell membrane, Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci., 107, 1289 (2010). PMCID: PMC2802590
• G. Popescu, Y. Park, N. Lue, C.A Best-Popescu, L. Deflores, R. R. Dasari, M. S. Feld and K. Badizadegan, Optical imaging of cell mass and growth dynamics, Am J Physiol Cell Physiol, 295, C538-44 (2008). PMCID: PMC2518415
• M. Abkarian, M. Faivre, R. Horton, K. Smistrup, CA Best-Popescu, and H.A. Stone, Cellular-scale hydrodynamics, Biomed Mater., 3, 034011 (2008).
• D. Mischoulon, C. A. Best-Popescu, M Laposata, W. Merens, J.L. Murakami, S.L. Wu, G.I. Papakostas, C.M. Dording, S.B. Sonawalla, A.A. Nierenberg, J.E. Alpert, and M. Fava. A double-blind dose-finding pilot study of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) for major depressive disorder, Eur Neuropsychopharmacol., 9, 639-45 (2008).
• J. Wozniak, J. Biederman, E. Mick, J. Waxmonsky, L. Hantsoo, C.A Best, J.E. Cluette-Brown, and M. Laposata. Omega-3 fatty acid monotherapy for pediatric bipolar disorder: A prospective open label trial. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol., 17 (6-7): 440-7 (2007).
• C.A. Best, T. Sarkola, C.J.P. Eriksson, J.E. Cluette-Brown and M. Laposata. Increased plasma fatty acid ethyl ester levels following inhibition of oxidative metabolism of ethanol by 4-methylpyrazole treatment in human subjects. Alcoholism-Clinical and Experimental Research, 30(7):1126-1131 (2006).
• G. Popescu, T. Ikeda, K. Goda, C. A. Best-Popescu, M. Laposata, S. Manley, R. R. Dasari, K. Badizadegan and M. S. Feld, Optical measurement of cell membrane tension, Phys. Rev. Lett., 97, 218101 (2006).
• D.M. Yoerger, C.A. Best, B.M. McQuillan, G.E. Supple, J.L. Guererro, J.E. Cluette-Brown, A. Hasaba, M.H. Picard, J.R. Stone and M. Laposata. Rapid fatty acid ethyl ester synthesis by porcine myocardium upon ethanol infusion into the left anterior descending coronary artery. American Journal of Pathology, 168(5):1435-1442 (2006).
• C.A. Best, M. Laposata, V.G. Proios and Z.M. Szczepiorkowski. Method to assess fatty acid ethyl ester binding to albumin. Alcohol and Alcoholism, 41(3):240-246 (2006).
• G. Popescu, T. Ikeda, C. A. Best, K. Badizadegan, R. R. Dasari and M. S. Feld, Erythrocyte structure and dynamics quantified by Hilbert phase microscopy, J. Biomed. Opt. Lett., 10, 060503 (2005).
• C.A. Best, J.E. Cluette-Brown. M. Teruya, A. Teruya and M. Laposata. Red blood cell fatty acid ethyl esters: a significant component of fatty acid ethyl esters in the blood. J Lipid Res, 44(3):612-20 (2003)
• C.A. Best and M. Laposata. Fatty acid ethyl esters: toxic non-oxidative metabolites of ethanol and markers of ethanol intake. Front Biosci, 8:e202-17 (2003).
• B.L. Soderberg, R.O. Salem, C.A. Best, J.E. Cluette-Brown, and M. Laposata. Fatty acid ethyl esters: Ethanol metabolites that reflect ethanol intake, Am J Clin Pathol, 119 Suppl: s94-9 (2003).
• M. Laposata, A. Hasaba, C.A. Best, D.M. Yoerger, B.M. Mcquillan, R.O. Salem, M.A. Refaai and B.L. Soderberg, Fatty acid ethyl esters: recent observations, Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids, 67: 193-6 (2002).

Abstracts (in print or accepted)

• Quantitative Phase Imaging Cartography: A New Lens into Traumatic Brain Injury. Jorge Maldonado DeJesus, Yuliia Kohut, David Liang, Sarah Alashqar, Isidra Baker, Casey Fornal, Siva Reddy Challa, Krishna Kumar Veeravalli, Billy Wang, and Catherine Best-Popescu. Neurotrauma, Philidelphia, PA, 2025
• Characterization of regional matrix metalloproteinase-12 expression in traumatic brain injury through immunofluorescence and spatial light interference microscopy. David Liang, Jorge Maldonado DeJesus, Sarah Alashqar, Catherine Best-Popescu, Isidra Baker, Casey Fornal, Siva Reddy Challa, Krishna Kumar Veeravalli, and Billy Wang. Neurotrauma, Philidelphia, PA, 2025
• Histopathology of Cellular Profiles and Tissue Barriers in a Model of TBI Using Spatial Light Interference Microscopy. Yuliia Kohut,Jorge Maldonado, Catherine Best-Popescu. Undergraduate Research Symposium PO 91. University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, IL, USA. 2025
• Systematized Review of Shunt Technologies Used in the Treatment of Hydrocephalus. Yasmine Khan,  Anh Nguyen, Yuliia Kohut, Noreen Adoni, Cindy Chen, Safa Thameem, Jorge Maldonado, Catherine Best-Popescu. Undergraduate Research Symposium PO 76. University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, IL, USA. 2025
• Label-Free Biophysical Profiling of White Matter Myeloarchitecture in a Traumatic Brain Injury and Alzheimer’s Model Using Spatial Light Interference Microscopy Cindy Chen,  Anh Nguyen, Jorge Maldonado, Catherine Best-Popescu. Undergraduate Research Symposium PO 93. University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, IL, USA. 2025
• Leveraging Deep Learning for Label-Free Cellular and Vascular Segmentation in Brain Tissue Using Spatial Light Interference Microscopy. Prasheetha Bairwa, TJ Pavaritpong, Yuliia Kohut, Cindy Chen, Shubham Thakar, Jorge Maldonado, and Dr. Catherine Best-Popescu. PO Undergraduate Research Symposium, University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, IL, USA. 2025
• Leveraging Deep Learning for Label-Free Cellular Segmentation in Brain Tissue Using Spatial Light Interference Microscopy. Prasheetha Bairwa, Jorge Maldonado, Catherine Best-Popescu.  PO 21. Undergraduate Research Symposium, University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, IL, USA. 2025
• Label-free Biophysical Profiling of White Matter Myeloarchitecturein a Traumatic Brain Injury and Alzheimer’s Model Using Spatial Light Interference Microscopy. Anh Nguyen, Cindy Chen, Jorge Maldonado, Billy Wang, Catherine Best-Popescu. Undergraduate Research in Scientific Advancement Poster Symposium, University of Illinois 2024
• Engineered systems for tumor modeling facilitate the assessment of therapeutic interventions. Joseph Mueller, Ryan Yao, Kim Selting, Catherine Best-Popescu, Brendan Harley, Sara Pedron-Haba. ]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Brain Cancer; 2023 Oct 19-22; Minneapolis, Minnesota. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(5 Suppl_1):Abstract nr A045.
• Pras Bairwa Jorge Maldonado, Billy Wang, Catherine best-Popescu Undergraduate Research in Scientific Advancement Poster Symposium, University of Illinois 2024 (Best Poster Presentation Award)
• Real-Time, Dose-Fractionated Irradiation of Cell Cultures Synchronously Imaged Using Quantitative, Label-Free Microscopy: A Glimpse into Time-Resolved Radiobiology. MAS Lamba, JAMDeJesus, C Best-Popescu, L Myers, D Ionascu. American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM) 66th Annual Meeting & Exhibition. Los Angeles, CA, 2024
• Designing Flow Rate Sensors for Management of Hydrocephalus. Meghan Blomberg, Catherine Alicia Best-Popescu. Illinois Scholars Undergraduate Research Expo (ISUR). University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, IL, USA. 2024
• Hypothermic Effects on In Vitro Traumatic Brain Injury Models. James Keener Edmunds, Raghav Tirumale,Jorge Maldonado. Catherine Best. PO12. Undergraduate Research Symposium, University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, IL, USA. 2024
• Evaluating fetal neocortical development in germ-free mice in response to maternal IL-17A administration. Izan Chalen, Selena S. Wang, Ashley M. Otero, Rafael Gonzalez-Ricon, Catherine A Best-Popescu, Adrienne M. Antonson Nanosymposium 15.08. Society for Neuroscience, Chicago, IL, USA 2024.
• The Antioxidant Effect to Counter Radiation in Aging/ Neurotoxicity Genes. Faisal Ahmad and Catherine Best-Popescu. PO 110. Undergraduate Research Symposium, University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, IL, USA. 2024
• AI-Mediated Segmentation and Identification of Glioblastoma Cellular Microenvironment. Yasmine Khan, Chadrick Gyabin, Jorge Maldonado and Catherine Best-Popescu. Undergraduate Research Symposium PO 2. University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, IL, USA. 2024
• Quantitative histopathology of breast and bladder cancer using color spatial light interference microscopy (CSLIM) with computational specificity (PICS). Jingfang Zhang and Catherine A. Best-Popescu. SPIE Photonics Europe. Strasbourg, France. 2024
• Advances in label-free optical quantification of Alzheimer’s disease associated cellular and tissue level pathology. Jorge Maldonado and Catherine A. Best-Popescu. SPIE Photonics-Europe. Strasberg France. 2024
• Using Spatial Light Interference Microscopy (SLIM) and Standard Histological Techniques for Multi-Scale Quantitative Brain Analysis. Dmitry Yurchanka, Ammaar Malik, Jorge Alexis Maldonado DeJesus, and Catherine Alicia Best-Popescu. PO20. Undergraduate Research Symposium, University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, IL, USA. 2023
• Quantitative Label-free Cell Cycle Microscopy. Sanjana Satish, Jorge Alexis Maldonado DeJesus, and Catherine Alicia Best-Popescu. PO110. Undergraduate Research Symposium, University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, IL, USA. 2023
• A Step Towards Automated Bioreactor Cell Viability Microscopy. Sharon Ignatius Newton, Jorge Alexis Maldonado DeJesus,and Catherine Alicia Best-Popescu. PO85. Undergraduate Research Symposium, University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, IL, USA. 2023
• Quantifying the Anti-inflammatory Effects of Fluoxetine, Propanolol, and Anticorticosteroid Treatment Using Quantitative Phase Microscopy in a Chronic Social Stress Model. Tanishka Trivedi, Jorge Alexis Maldonado DeJesus, and Catherine Alicia Best-Popescu. PO 14. Undergraduate Research Symposium, University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, IL, USA. 2023
• Three-Dimensional Anatomical Reconstruction of Mice Brain. Dziyana Balakir, Jorge Maldonado and Catherine Best-Popescu. PO 37. Undergraduate Research Symposium, University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, IL, USA. 2023
• Biomimetic Fluid Flow Sensing in Hydrocephalus. Meghan Blomberg, Megan Amber Lim, Jaya Ganapathi, Daniella Champan, Hailey Waltenburg, Catherine Alicia Best-Popescu. Illinois Scholars Undergraduate Research Expo (ISUR) Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR). University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, IL, USA. 2023
• Spatial Light Interference Microscopy for Quantification of Brain and Gut Changes in a Repeated Social Defeat Model. Jorge Maldonado, Jacob Allen, Patricia Brewster and Catherine Best-Popescu. Gastronauts Global Symposia, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador 2023
• Measuring fetal neuroarchitecture in germ-free mice in response to maternal IL-17A administration. Chalen I., Wang S., Best-Popescu C., Antonson A.M. Gastronauts Global Symposia, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador 2023
• Quantifying Neuroinflammation Across Multiple Scales: A Novel Approach Employing Quantitative Phase Imaging in Models of Neuroinflammation and Neurodegeneration. Jorge Maldonado DeJesus and Catherine Best. PS1-1.  PsychoNeuroImmunology Research Society (PNIRS) Annual Meeting, Boulder, CO. 2023
• Measuring fetal cortical architecture in response to maternal immune activation by live influenza virus.  Chalen I., Wang S., Florianowicz V., Matan A., Otero A.M., Gonzalez-Ricon R., Karim B., Best-Popescu C., Antonson A.M. PS1-46. PsychoNeuroImmunology Research Society (PNIRS) Annual Meeting, Boulder, CO. 2023
• Evaluating fetal corticogenesis in germ-free mice in response to maternal IL-17a administration. Chalen-Paredes I., Wang S.S., Otero A.M., Gonzalez-Ricon R., Best-Popescu C., Antonson A.M. Microbial Multiverse Symposium, Illinois Microbial Systems Initiative, University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, IL. 2023
• Identifying Optical Biomarkers of Neuroinflammation and Neurodegeneration Across Multiple Scales: A Novel Approach Using Quantitative Phase Imaging. Jorge Maldonado, Yasmine Khan, Karna Trepstra, Lawrence Best, Liviu Mirica, Catherine Best-Popescu. CLIMB University of Illinois. 2023
• Spatial Light Interference Microscopy (SLIM) for Label-Free Quantification of Neuroinflammation in Alzheimer's Disease. Suhaani Nigam, Yasmine Khan,Jorge Maldonado, Karna Terpstra, Liviu Mirica, Catherine Best-Popescu. PS2-54. PsychoNeuroImmunology Research Society (PNIRS) Annual Meeting, Boulder, CO. 2023
• Quantification of Biophysical Markers of Inflammation using Spatial Light Interference Microscopy (SLIM) in a Repeated Social Stress Disorder Murine Model. Tanishka Trivedi,  Jorge Maldonado, Patti Brewster, Isabelle Guerra, Jacob Allen, and Catherine Best-Popescu. PS3-50. PsychoNeuroImmunology Research Society (PNIRS) Annual Meeting, Boulder, CO. 2023
• Quantifying neuroanatomical variations across multiple mouse models of multiple sclerosis. Maldonado, J., Best, L., Chalen, I., & Best-Popescu, C.  PsychoNeuroImmunology. Research Society (PNIRS) Annual Meeting, ETH, Zurich, Switzerland. 2022
• Measuring fetal neuroarchitecture in germ-free mice in response to maternal IL-17a administration. Chalen I., Wang S.S., Jung J., Maldonado J., Linyuan L., Best-Popescu C., Antonson A.M. PsychoNeuroImmunology Research Society (PNIRS) Annual Meeting, ETH, Zurich, Switzerland, 2022
• Scarred Stars: Investigating the Role of Astrocytes in Alzheimer's Disease. Michelle Nelson, Jorge Maldonado and Catherine Best-Popescu. Basic Science UIC Health Sciences Campus-Rockford Research Day. 2021
• Spatial Light interference Microscopy as a quantitative histopathology tool in the study of dys-myelinating disorders. Jorge Maldonado DeJesus, Lawrence Best, Catherine Best-Popescu, NSF-Miniature Brain Machines Retreat. Beckman Institute, University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, IL, USA. 2020
• Across the scales investigation of Traumatic Brain Injury and Multiple Sclerosis. Jorge Maldonado DeJesus and Catherine Best-Popescu. NSF Industry/University Cooperative Research Center for Computational Biotechnology and Genomic Medicine Meeting, University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, IL, USA. 2019
• Multiple scale quantitative analysis of white matter connectivity on a MYRF knock-out mouse model using spatial light interference microscopy (SLIM) J. A. Maldonado, Lawrence Best, C. Best. PO 703.16. Optical Methods: Applications. Society for Neuroscience, Chicago, IL, USA. 2019 
• Quantifying myelination of single neurons using Spatial Light Interference Microscopy(SLIM). Young-Jae Lee, Michael Fanous, Megan P. Caputo, Laurie A. Rund, Rodney W. Johnson, Tapas Das, Matthew J. Kuchan, Catherine Best-Popescu, Gabriel Popescu. PO 206.14 Molecular and Cellular Mechanisms of Demyelinating Disorders. Society for Neuroscience, Chicago, IL, USA  2019
• Spatial Light Interference Microscopy Revealed Myelin Differences Quantified in De and Dys/myelination Mouse Models. Jorge Maldonado, Lawrence Best, Kiran Murphy, Gabriel Popescu, and Catherine Best-Popescu. NSF-Miniature Brain Machinery Retreat, Beckman Institute, University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, USA. 2019.
• Label-free Identification and Analysis of Demyelination in Murine Models Using Spatial Light Interference Microscopy (SLIM). Colón, Marisabel, Maldonado, Jorge, Best, Catherine. Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES) P-SAT-282. Undergraduate Research, Design & Leadership. Biomedical Imaging and Optics. BMES2019-004042.pdf. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. 2019
• Traumatic Brain Injury Quantified by S.L.I.M. Microscopy with Omega 3 Fatty Acid Treatments. Darnella Cole and Catherine Best-Popescu Abstract ID 3929. Undergraduate Research and Design. Biomedical Imaging and Instrumentation. Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES) Annual Meeting, Atlanta, GA, USA. 2018
• Spatial Light Interference Microscopy Revealed Myelin Differences Quantified in De and Dys/myelination Mouse Models. Jorge Maldonado, Lawrence Best, Kiran Murphy, Gabriel Popescu, and Catherine Best-Popescu.Society for Neuroscience, San Diego, CA, USA. 2018.
• Multiplexing imaging development using phase light interference and fluorescence microscopy to bridge the scales from single molecule to whole organ J. A. Maldonado, C. Best, T, A. Smith, G. Popescu. PO612.12 - Physiological Methods: Optical Methodology: Development II. Society for Neuroscience, San Diego, CA, USA. 2018.
• Synaptic plasticity revealed by spatial light interference microscopy(slim) coupled with fluorescence imaging. Y. J. Lee, M. Kandel, C. Best PO 202.04 Structural Plasticity II. Society for Neuroscience,  San Diego, CA, USA. 2018.
• Gradient Light Interference Microscopy for Label-Free Quantitative Assessment of Brain Slices. M. E. Kandel, Sangyun Joung, Ghazal N. Kouzehgarani, Martha U. Gillette, Catherine Best-Popescu, Gabriel Popescu.  PO 338.25. Physiological Methods: Optical Methodology: Development I. Society for Neuroscience, San Diego, CA, USA. 2018.
• Non-contact measurement of electrical activity in neurons using magnified image spatial spectrum (MISS) microscopy. H. Majeed, Young JL, Best-Popescu CA, Popescu G, Jang SS, Chung HJ. Proc. SPIE 10074, Quantitative Phase Imaging III, 100740Y. San Francisco, CA, USA. 
• Murine cell and layer-specific distribution abnormalities in the hippocampus following trauma. Y J. Lee, M. E. Kandel, S. Joung, I. Uzcanga, J. De Jesus Astacio, C. Best.  PO 675.02. Traumatic Brain Injury: Therapeutic Interventions III.  Society for Neuroscience, Washington, DC, USA. 2017.
• 3D Murine Brain Cartography: Reconstruction using Spatial Light Interference Microscopy (SLIM). J. de Jesus, P. Cintora, M.E. Kandel and Catherine Best-Popescu. Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES) P-SAT-215. Undergraduate Research, Design & Leadership. Biomedical Imaging and Optics. BMES2017-003397.pdf.  Phoenix Arizona, USA. 2017.
• Using spatial light interference microscopy (SLIM) to quantify the neuroprotective effects of temperature and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) on primary neurons following trauma. Michael Szewczyk, I. Miches, P. Cintora, Y. J. Lee, M. E. Kandel, D. Kline, C. A. Best-Popescu. PO 675.04 Traumatic Brain Injury: Therapeutic Interventions III.  Society for Neuroscience, Washington, DC, USA. 2017.
• Summative Assessment of a High School Human Cadaveric and Neuroanatomy Dissection Laboratory. I. Miches, and C. A. Best-Popescu. PO 027.08SU/WW39 Topic: J.03.Neuroscience Outreach Activities II, Society for Neuroscience, Washington, DC, USA. 2017.
• Neural structure and dynamics using halo-free phase-sensitive microscopy. G. Popescu, M. Kandel, S. Joung, C. A. Popescu. PO 675.03. Traumatic Brain Injury: Therapeutic Interventions III. Society for Neuroscience, Washington, DC, USA. 2017
• Helmholtz phase tomography for label-free imaging of neuronal intracellular transport. ME Kendal, H. Shakir, C. A. Best, G. Popescu. PO 94.06 Light Microscopy: Advances in Technologies, Software, and Analysis. Society for Neuroscience. San Diego, CA, USA. 2016
• Dynamics of cortical neuronal growth, transport and motility associated with cell trauma assessed by quantitative phase imaging (QPI). YJ Lee,  P Cintora, ME. Kandell, and CA Best-Popescu. PO 676.12. Society for Neuroscience, San Diego, CA, USA. 2016
• Omega Three Fatty Acids and Cooling Mitigate Altered Structural Properties of Cortical Neurons Following Mechanical Injury. Patty Cintora, YJ Lee, ME. Kandell, and CA Best-Popescu. PO 316. Neuroprotective Mechanisms: Brain or Spinal Cord Injury. Society for Neuroscience, San Diego, CA, USA. 2016
• Temperature modulates stress response of neurons to repetitive low-force mechanical impacts.  D. C. Kline, C. Best-Popescu, and P. Sengupta. PO 768.05. Cellular Mechanisms of Degeneration and Inflammation in Models of Neurodegenerative Disease. Society for Neuroscience, Washington, DC, USA. 2015
• 3D Murine brain connectome reconstruction using spatial light interference microscopy (SLIM). S. Kim, E. Min, L. Ma, W. Jung, G. Popescu, C. Best-Popescu. PO734  Whole Brain Imaging and Atlasing II, Society for Neuroscience, Chicago, Il, USA.  2015
• Infrared diffraction phase microscopy for nanoscale imaging of live brain slices. E. Min, S. Kim, L. Ma, W. Jung, Y. Wang, G. Popescu, and C. Best-Popescu.   PO60 at the Cell Symposia SFN: Engineering the Brain- Technologies for Neurobiological Applications. Society for Neuroscience,  Chicago, Il, USA. 2015
• Implementation of Team-Based Learning at a Multi-Site Medical School. Amy Y. Lin, Catherine Best-Popescu, Stephanie Ceman, Mark Gelula, Abbas Hyderi, Janet M. Riddle, and Carien Williams Central Group on Educational Affairs (CGEA) Meeting. Washington University in St. Luis School of Medicine, USA 2012
• Reduction in M1 Lecture Hours Impacts Student Test Performance. C. Williams, S. Kies, and Catherine Best-Popescu. Central Group on Educational Affairs (CGEA) Meeting. Washington University in St. Luis School of Medicine, USA 2012

Refereed Conference Papers and Presentations

• Quantitative Phase Imaging Cartography: A New Lens into Traumatic Brain Injury. Jorge Maldonado DeJesus, Yuliia Kohut, David Liang, Sarah Alashqar, Isidra Baker, Casey Fornal, Siva Reddy Challa, Krishna Kumar Veeravalli, Billy Wang, and Catherine Best-Popescu. Neurotrauma, Philidelphia, PA, 2025
• Characterization of regional matrix metalloproteinase-12 expression in traumatic brain injury through immunofluorescence and spatial light interference microscopy. David Liang, Jorge Maldonado DeJesus, Sarah Alashqar, Catherine Best-Popescu, Isidra Baker, Casey Fornal, Siva Reddy Challa, Krishna Kumar Veeravalli, and Billy Wang. Philidelphia, PA, Neurotrauma 2025
• Quantitative Phase Imaging Spatial Histocytometric Morpholomics in Mouse Models of Neurological Trauma and Disease. Catherine Best-Popescu. NIH/NIBIB Center for Label-free Imaging and Multiscale Biophotonics (CLIMB) Annual Symposium, University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign 2025
• Spatial Light Interference Microscopy Morpholomics in Mouse Models of Traumatic Brain Injury. Catherine Best-Popescu Biophotonics Summer School 2025
• Advances in multiscale biomedical imaging with Spatial Light Interference Microscopy. Catherine Best-Popescu Biophotonics Summer School 2024
• Real-Time, Dose-Fractionated Irradiation of Cell Cultures Synchronously Imaged Using Quantitative, Label-Free Microscopy: A Glimpse into Time-Resolved Radiobiology. MAS Lamba, JAMDeJesus, C Best-Popescu, L Myers, D Ionascu. American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM) 66th Annual Meeting & Exhibition. Los Angeles, CA, 2024
• Advances in label-free optical quantification of Alzheimer’s disease-associated cellular and tissue level pathology. Jorge Maldonado and Catherine A. Best-Popescu. SPIE Photonics-Europe. Strasberg France. 2024
• Quantitative histopathology of breast and bladder cancer using color spatial light interference microscopy (CSLIM) with computational specificity (PICS). Jingfang Zhang and Catherine A. Best-Popescu. SPIE Photonics Europe. Strasbourg, France. 2024
• Advances in multiscale biomedical imaging with quantitative phase imaging. Catherine Best-Popescu. SPIE Photonics Europe, Strasbourg France 2024
• Engineered systems for tumor modeling facilitate the assessment of therapeutic interventions. Joseph Mueller, Ryan Yao, Kim Selting, Catherine Best-Popescu, Brendan Harley, Sara Pedron-Haba. ]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Brain Cancer; 2023 Oct 19-22; Minneapolis, Minnesota. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(5 Suppl_1):Abstract nr A045.

Pending Articles

• Dynamic topological characterization of SLIM imaging in normal and in TBI derived neuronal culture network. Chenzhong Y, Best-Popescu CA., Maldonado,J., and P Bogdan.
• Quantitative phase microscopy of cell cultures in real-time and under dose-fractionated radiation fields:  A glimpse into time-resolved radiobiology. Jorge Maldonado, Catherine Best- Popescu and Dan Ionescu. Journal of Radiation Research and Applied Sciences
• Label-Free and Multiscale Biophysical Analysis of Myelinated Brain Structures Using Spatial Light Interference Microscopy Combined with Open-Source Tools Jorge Maldonado, Pras Bairwa, Will Hans, Shubham Thakar, Catherine Best-Popescu
• Multimodal, Multiscale Spatial Quantitative Phase Brain Moropholomics in a Murine Model of Traumatic Brain Injury. Jorge Maldonado and Catherine Best-Popescu Scientific Reports
• Biomimetic model for the identification of distinctive microenvironmental factors in glioblastoma radiosensitivity. Ryan Yao Isabella Rivera, Kimberly A Selting, Jorge Maldonado, Catherine A Best-Popescu, Hui Xu, Jann N Sarkaria, Yi Lu, Brendan AC Harley, Sara Pedron-Haba
• AI-enabled live-dead cell viability classification and motion forecasting. Anzhe Cheng, Chenzhong Yin, Michael A.S. Lamba, Mathieu Sertorio, Jorge Maldonado, Alexandre R. Sathler, Yu Chang, Catalin Chiritescu, Catherine A. Best, Dan Ionascu, Nicholas Kotov5, Shahin Nazarian, and Paul Bogdan
• Neuronal Dry Mass Dynamics Drives the Evolution of Neurons, Neurites and their Topology in Healthy and Traumatized Neuronal Networks Chenzhong Yin, Mingxi Cheng, Xinghe Chen, Anzhe Cheng, Young Jae Lee, Ruochen Yang, Jorge Maldonado De-Jesus, Gabriel Popescu, Catherine Best, Nicholas A. Kotov  and Paul Bogdan.
• Quantitative Phase Imaging Cartography: A New Lens into Traumatic Brain Injury Jorge Maldonado DeJesus, Yuliia Kohut, David Liang, Sarah Alashqar, Isidra Baker, Siva Reddy Challa, Krishna Kumar Veeravalli, Billy Chen Wang and Catherine Best-Popescu. Journal of Neurotrauma
• Characterization of regional MMP12 expression after traumatic brain injury through multimodal imaging with immunofluorescence and spatial light interference microscopy. David Liang, Jorge Maldonado DeJesus, Catherine Best-Popescu, Sarah Alashqar, Isidra Baker, Siva Reddy Challa, Krishna Kumar Veeravalli, Billy Chen Wang Journal of Neurotrauma

Invited Lectures

• Spatial Light Interference Microscopy Historical Perspectives, Today and in the Future 
• Power of BioE: COVID-19 a Case Study
• Quantitative Phase Imaging Spatial Histocytometric Morpholomics in Mouse Models of Neurological Trauma and Disease
• Advances in multiscale biomedical imaging with quantitative phase imaging
• Biomedical Imaging with Quantitative Phase Imaging
• Remembering Gabi
• Mechanisms and Markers of Traumatic Brain Injury
• Investigating TBI: Light Emitting Diode Phototherapy in a Human Pilot Study, 2016
• Studying cells at the nanoscale using light
• Changes in Neurite Growth in a Cell Trauma Model Quantified by Phase Microscopy.
• Cellular Neuroscience Imaging Lab Research
• Measurement of Red Blood Cell Deformability during Morphological Changes
• The Visual System Seen Through Illusions and Lesions

Other Publications

• Introducing the Special Issue on Label-Free Quantitative Phase Imaging Honoring Prof. Gabriel Popescu, a Pioneer in Biomedical Optics
• Concerns about brain cancer cases in Piatt County grow, but Illinois public health agency yet to investigate. Dr. Catherine Best-Popescu weighs in on the potential cluster of glioblastoma cases in Monticello and the Champaign Urbana, Illinois area.
• CCIL Planning Grant Powers Up Pioneering Glioblastoma Research. The team, Sara Pedron-Haba (lead) and Co-PIs Kim Selting and Catherine Best-Popescu, secured a $173,665 grant from the Elsa U. Pardee Foundation for their innovative use of preclinical models for the implementation of more precise radiotherapeutic approaches in Glioblastoma
• Julia Stillman (Psych), an undergraduate researcher from Catherine Best's Lab, shares her experience about her six-month-long co-op with the global pharmaceutical company, Merck.
• Introducing Illinois 2025 Mayo Clinic Summer Undergraduate Research Fellows. Cindy Chen from Catherine Best-Popescu's lab
• Meet the nine Illinois students selected as 2024 Mayo Clinic Summer Undergraduate Research Fellows 2024, Yasmin Khan from Professor Catherine Best-Popescu's Lab
• Feature Illinois Public Radio: Tech it or Leave it: Rising to the Challenge. Episode 4. Host Gwen Macsai Nov2 2020.

Magazine Articles

• Feature cover story. Illinois Medicine Summer 2014 Illinois Medicine. Golden Apple Faculty Shine Across COM's Four Sites.

Teaching Honors

• Alpha Omega Alpha Robert Glaser Distinguished Teacher Nominee, College of Medicine at Urbana Champaign, University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign (2015)
• UIC Urban Health program COM Team Member Servant Leadership Award, College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (2014)
• Teacher ranked as excellent by the students, Medical Neuroscience, College of Medicine at Urbana Champaign, University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign (2012, 2013, and 2014)
• Raymond B. Allen Award - Golden Apple award winner, COM UIUC M1 (first-year medical school students), College of Medicine at Urbana Champaign, University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign (2014)
• Raymond B. Allen Award - Golden Apple award winner, COM UIUC M2 (second-year medical school students), College of Medicine at Urbana Champaign, University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign (2012)

Research Honors

• Individual Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award recipient, 2005, 2006

Public Service Honors

• COVID-19 Wall of Recognition in Engineering, Granger College of Engineering University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (April 1 2020)