Kyu Young Han

Kyu Young Han is an Associate Professor in Optics & Photonics at CREOL, The College of Optics and Photonics, University of Central Florida. His research focuses on developing advanced optical tools for biological and neuroscience applications, including super-resolution imaging (STED/GSD microscopy), label-free single-molecule imaging, and novel microscopy techniques. He holds a patent commercialized by Leica Microsystems and has received the 2020 NIH Maximizing Investigators’ Research Award (MIRA).

Education: BS and PhD in Chemistry from Seoul National University (2004 and 2010). Postdoctoral work at the University of Illinois (2011–2016) and Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry (Germany), specializing in optical microscopy innovation.

Research interests emphasize nanoscopy, biophotonics, and interdisciplinary applications in cell biology. His group explores nuclear structure in mammalian cells, DNA-protein interactions, and RNA imaging in live cells. Recent work includes optimizing imaging techniques like TIRF microscopy and integrating deep learning for faster, less damaging STED imaging.

Publications span cutting-edge advancements in microscopy resolution, photobleaching reduction, and single-molecule analysis. He advises multiple PhD students and collaborates across disciplines, contributing to Parkinson’s disease research through imaging-driven molecular studies.