Dr Akhil Kallepalli

Strathclyde Chancellor's Fellow

Biomedical Engineering

Personal statement

Dr Akhil Kallepalli leads the Kallepalli Lab with a focus on clinical translation of classical and quantum optics. He and his group are currently working on high-impact projects to assist oral and maxillofacial surgeons in the theatre, enhancing diffuse optical tomography techniques for brain imaging, using advanced microscopy for malarial parasite imaging and using quantum light for deep tissue imaging.

Expertise

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Area of Expertise

Dr Kallepalli's background and experience span image processing, data analysis, biophotonics, tissue engineering and optical imaging methods.

Prize And Awards

Leverhulme Early Career Fellowship (2023-25): Recipient; 2022
Chancellor's Fellowship: Recipient; 1/4/2024
Honouree List, Photonics 100: Recipient; 9/2023
Senior Member (SMIEEE): Recipient; 29/4/2022
Member, Institute of Physics (MInstP): Recipient; 1/4/2020

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Publications

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Publications

Low-cost and modular broadband light sources for fluorescence microscopy: Duff Rachel, Roszczyk Igor, Rahman Mahin, Zhang Yidan, Mogorosi Aone, Foust Amanda, Kallepalli Akhil; 2025 IEEE Photonics Conference (IPC) IEEE Photonics Conference 2025 2025 IEEE Photonics Conference (IPC) (2025); https://doi.org/10.1109/IPC65510.2025.11282315
Fourier ptychography microscopy for digital pathology: Eadie Fraser, Copeland Laura, Di Caprio Giuseppe, McConnell Gail, Kallepalli Akhil; Journal of Microscopy Vol 300, pp. 260-285 (2025); https://doi.org/10.1111/jmi.70001
Resolving tissue structure in vitro using entangled photons: McGurk Naomi, Kallepalli Akhil; EPSRC Quantum Technologies Fellows Event (2025)
Towards assessing patient eligibility for optical neural interfaces : a simulation approach: Sajida Hanifia, Kallepalli Akhil; BioMedEng25 (2025)
Prototype development for hyperspectral imaging of glioblastoma samples using the OpenFlexure 3D-printed microscope: Mollins Alan, Kallepalli Akhil; BioMedEng25 (2025)
Polarised Fourier ptychography for volumetric imaging of anisotropic specimens through deep learning enhancements: Eadie Fraser, Di Caprio Giuseppe, Kallepalli Akhil; Microscience Microscopy Congress 2025 incorporating EMAG 2025 (2025)

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Research

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Research Interests

Deep tissue imaging, (classical and quantum) optical diagnostics, fNIRS/DOT-based brain imaging, microscopy hardware and design, additive manufacturing, clinical translation

Professional Activities

Applications of Structured Light in Biophotonics (Tentative): Invited speaker; 15/6/2026
Physics Department, Stanford University, Stanford CA, USA: Visiting researcher; 31/1/2026
Translation for clinical needs: Invited speaker; 27/1/2026
2026 Grant Writing Challenge: Participant; 1/2026
QT Hubs School 2025: Invited speaker; 17/12/2025
Optics and diagnostics for the clinic: Invited speaker; 25/11/2025

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Projects

BBSRC NorthWest Biosciences DTP 2025 | Renata Cia Sanches Loberto: Kallepalli, Akhil (Principal Investigator) Di Caprio, Giuseppe (Co-investigator) Cia Sanches Loberto, Renata (Research Co-investigator); Understanding glioblastoma with one pixel: Imaging into the brain using single-pixel techniques for multi-dimensional investigations; 01-Jan-2025 - 28-Jan-2029
UDLA 2527 University of Strathclyde | Mukhopadhyay, Sankhonil: Kallepalli, Akhil (Principal Investigator) Kerr, Andy (Co-investigator) Mukhopadhyay, Sankhonil (Research Co-investigator); 01-Jan-2025 - 01-Jan-2028
Prototype development for hyperspectral imaging on a 3D-printed microscope platform: Mollins, Alan (Researcher) Kallepalli, Akhil (Principal Investigator); This Rank Prize-funded Summer Internship (Mr Alan Mollins) will focus on integrating a small form-factor hyperspectral imaging system into a 3D-printed microscope to enhance the capabilities of a standard brightfield microscope and study glioblastoma samples during the project term. Leveraging the research group’s expertise, knowledge, collaborations, and the student’s skill set, we will build a utilitarian and easy-to-use imaging system for a wide range of microscopic applications; 30-Jan-2025 - 29-Jan-2025
Diffuse Optical Tomography and Quantum light for multi-resolution brain imaging: Kallepalli, Akhil (Principal Investigator); Imaging deeper into the human brain has engaged many in the scientific and medical communities. Attempting to overcome challenges of speed, resolution and usability has resulted in a multitude of techniques and devices capable of monitoring the brain. Yet, a truly democratised approach that is globally accessible is yet to materialise. In this proof-of-principle project (with aspects of building an international collaboration), we will tackle the challenge of imaging deeper into the brain by using structured light and single-pixel imaging techniques that provide advantages of deeper tissue penetration at longer wavelengths, faster measurements and relatively lower costs.; 01-Jan-2025 - 28-Jan-2026
Diamond Jubilee Studentship | AI-Integrated Imaging Flow Cytometry for Real-Time Classification and Biomechanical Assessment of Blood Cell Analysis: Di Caprio, Giuseppe (Principal Investigator) Jacob, Shan (Post Grad Student) Kallepalli, Akhil (Co-investigator); 01-Jan-2025 - 29-Jan-2028
Diffuse Optical Tomography and SINGle pixel imaging: Kallepalli, Akhil (Principal Investigator); 01-Jan-2025 - 30-Jan-2026