Christine P. Hendon

Christine P. Hendon is an Associate Professor of Electrical Engineering at Columbia University's School of Engineering and Applied Science, where she also serves as Vice Dean for Engagement and Provost's Senior Faculty Teaching Scholar. She directs the Structure-Function Imaging Laboratory, which develops biomedical optics technologies for clinical applications.

Her research focuses on developing optical coherence tomography (OCT) and near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) systems for structure-function analysis of biological tissues, with particular emphasis on cardiac electrophysiology applications. The laboratory creates integrative optics and therapeutic probes to improve treatment of cardiac arrhythmias, developing platform optical imaging systems to enable structure-function analysis of biological organ systems.

Professor Hendon's recent publications show expansion into women's health applications, with work on uterine tissue mechanics. Her research consistently bridges engineering innovation with clinical practice through collaborations with medical professionals.

• Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE) 2017
• NSF CAREER Award
• NIH New Innovator Award
• Forbes' 30 under 30 in Science and Healthcare
• MIT Technology Review's 35 under 35 Innovators
• Fellow of Optica, SPIE, and AIMBE
• Elected to Optica Board of Directors (2025-2027)

Professor Hendon maintains an active research program with multiple ongoing grants, as evidenced by her prestigious awards and recent patent issuances. She mentors a diverse group of students across electrical engineering, biomedical engineering, computer science, applied physics, and mechanical engineering disciplines. Her Structure-Function Imaging Laboratory provides students with opportunities to work on clinically relevant technologies from concept through to potential commercialization, with several patents recently issued from laboratory work. The laboratory maintains strong clinical partnerships that provide students with exposure to real-world medical challenges.

Professor Hendon's laboratory develops optical imaging platforms that correlate tissue microstructure to electrical conduction and mechanical contraction, with the main clinical driver addressing unmet needs in cardiac electrophysiology. The lab has produced innovative therapeutic catheters and algorithms for improved guidance and monitoring of arrhythmia therapy.