Joseph Chaiken

Joseph Chaiken is a Professor of Chemistry at Syracuse University, affiliated with the Biochemistry department. His research focuses on laser chemistry, spectroscopy, and non-invasive biomedical monitoring. Chaiken holds a Ph.D. from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (1982) and a B.S. from the University of Chicago (1977). He collaborates with institutions like the Air Force Research Laboratory and the Max Planck Institute, advancing studies on coalescence growth models and laser manipulation of materials.

Research highlights include developing the first blood volume-normalized noninvasive Raman spectrum of human blood in vivo, enabling real-time monitoring of analytes like glucose and cholesterol. His work on the PVOH device addresses physiological monitoring challenges in clinical and military contexts. Chaiken teaches courses in physical chemistry and analytical laboratory techniques, mentoring students through grants like the Syracuse University SOURCE program.

Key awards include the Frank Annunzio Award (2005). He serves as a reviewer for journals like J. Biomedical Optics and has authored over 20 technical reports on optical memory systems and spectroscopic assessment.