Mihaela Balu
Associate Professor, Dermatology
School of Medicine
School of Medicine
Associate Professor, Biomedical Engineering
The Henry Samueli School of Engineering
The Henry Samueli School of Engineering
B.S., University of Bucharest, Bucharest, Romania, 1998, Physics
M.S., University of Bucharest, Bucharest, Romania, 1999, Physics
Ph.D., College of Optics & Photonics: CREOL, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, 2006, Optics
M.S., University of Bucharest, Bucharest, Romania, 1999, Physics
Ph.D., College of Optics & Photonics: CREOL, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, 2006, Optics
University of California, Irvine
1002 Health Sciences Road E
Mail Code: 1475
Irvine, CA 92697
1002 Health Sciences Road E
Mail Code: 1475
Irvine, CA 92697
Available Technologies
Awards and Honors
- CREOL Fellowship, University of Central Florida, 2000-2005
- UCF Graduate Studies Fellowship, Summer 2006
- Certificate of Appreciation - College of Optics & Photonics: CREOL&FPCE 2006
- UCI Emerging Innovation/Early Career award, nominee 2020
- School of Medicine Annual Outstanding Mid-Career Faculty Research Award (Clinical Research) 2024
- UCF Graduate Studies Fellowship, Summer 2006
- Certificate of Appreciation - College of Optics & Photonics: CREOL&FPCE 2006
- UCI Emerging Innovation/Early Career award, nominee 2020
- School of Medicine Annual Outstanding Mid-Career Faculty Research Award (Clinical Research) 2024
Publications
PEER-REVIEWED ACADEMIC JOURNALS
1. Martelli S, Mancini A, Giorgi R, Alexandrescu R, Cojocaru S, Crunteanu A, Voicu I, Balu M, Morjan I. Production of ironoxide nanoparticles by laser-induced pyrolysis of gaseous precursors. Appl Surf Sci. 2000;154:353-9.
2. Balu M, Hales J, Hagan DJ, Van Stryland EW. White-light continuum Z-scan technique for nonlinear materials characterization. Opt Express. 2004;12(16):3820-6.
3. Hernandez FE, Belfield KD, Cohanoschi I, Balu M, Schafer KJ. Three- and four-photon absorption of a multiphoton absorbing fluorescent probe. Appl Optics. 2004;43(28):5394-8.
4. Schafer KJ, Hales JM, Balu M, Belfield KD, Van Stryland EW, Hagan DJ. Two-photon absorption cross-sections of common Schafer KJ, Hales JM, Balu M, Belfield KD, Van Stryland EW, Hagan DJ. Two-photon absorption cross-sections of common
5. Balu M, Hales J, Hagan DJ, Van Stryland EW. Dispersion of nonlinear refraction and two-photon absorption using a white-light continuum Z-scan. Opt Express. 2005;13(10):3594-9.
6. Balu M, Padilha LA, Hagan DJ, Van Stryland EW, Yao S, Belfield K, et al. Broadband Z-scan characterization using a high-spectral-irradiance, high-quality supercontinuum. J Opt Soc Am B. 2008;25(2):159-65.
7. Balu M, Baldacchini T, Carter J, Krasieva TB, Zadoyan R, Tromberg BJ. Effect of excitation wavelength on penetration depth in nonlinear optical microscopy of turbid media. J Biomed Opt. 2009;14 (1):010508.
8. Balu M, Liu GJ, Chen ZP, Tromberg BJ, Potma EO. Fiber delivered probe for efficient CARS imaging of tissues. Opt Express. 2010;18 (3):2380-8.
9. Getmanenko YA, Hales JM, Balu M, Fu J, Zojer E, Kwon O, et al. Characterization of a dipolar chromophore with third-harmonic generation applications in the near-IR. J Mater Chem. 2012; 22 (10):4371-82.
10. Balu M, Mazhar A, Hayakawa C, Mittal R, Krasieva TB, Koenig K, Venugopalan V, Tromberg BJ. In vivo multiphoton NADH fluorescence reveals depth-dependent keratinocyte metabolism in human skin. Biophysical Journal, 2012; 104(1): 258-67
11. Mittal R, Balu M, Wilder-Smith P, Potma EO. Achromatic miniature lens system for coherent Raman scattering microscopy. Biomed Opt Express, 2013; 4(10):2196-206
12. Krasieva TB, Stringari C, Liu F, Sun CH, Kong Y, Balu M, Meyskens FL, Gratton E, Tromberg BJ. Two-photon excited fluorescence lifetime imaging (FLIM) and spectroscopy of melanins in-vitro and in-vivo, Journal Biomed Opt. 2013; 18(3):031107.
13. Mittal R, Balu M, Krasieva T, Potma EO, Elkeeb L, Zachary CB, Wilder-Smith P. Evaluation of stimulated Raman scattering microscopy for identifying squamous cell carcinoma in human skin. Laser Surg Med. 2013; 45(8): 496-502.
14. Balu M, Kelly MK, Zachary CB, Harris RM, Krasieva TB, Koenig K, Durkin AJ, Tromberg, BJ. Distinguishing between benign and malignant melanocytic nevi by in vivo multiphoton microscopy. Cancer Research 2014; 74(10), 2688-97.
15. Balu M, Saytashev I, Hou J, Dantus M, Tromberg BJ. Sub-40 fs, 1060-nm Yb-fiber laser enhances penetration depth in nonlinear optical microscopy of human skin. J Biomed Opt. 2015;20(12):120501. doi: 10.1117/1.JBO.20.12.120501. PubMed PMID: 26641198; PMCID: 4671301.
16. Balu M, Tromberg, BJ. Multiphoton microscopy for non-invasive optical biopsy of human skin. RoJCED 2015;2(3):160-6.
17. Saager RB, Balu M, Crosignani V, Sharif A, Durkin AJ, Kelly KM, Tromberg BJ. In vivo measurements of cutaneous melanin across spatial scales: using multiphoton microscopy and spatial frequency domain spectroscopy. J Biomed Opt. 2015;20(6):066005. PMID: 26065839; PMCID: 4463032.
18. Balu M, Zachary CB, Harris RM, Krasieva TB, Koenig K, Tromberg BJ, Kelly MK. In Vivo Multiphoton Microscopy of Basal Cell Carcinoma. JAMA Dermatology 2015; 151(10): 1068-74.
19. Balu M, Mikami H, Hou J, Potma EO, and Tromberg BJ, "Rapid mesoscale multiphoton microscopy of human skin," Biomed. Opt. Express 2016; 7, 4375-4387 PMC5119580.
20. Pouli D, Balu M, Alonzo CA, Liu Z, Quinn KP, Rius-Diaz F, Harris RM, Kelly KM, Tromberg BJ, Georgakoudi I "Imaging mitochondrial dynamics in human skin reveals depth-dependent hypoxia and malignant potential for diagnosis", Science Translational Medicine, 8, 367ra169 (2016).
21. Balu M, Lentsch G, Korta D, Koenig K, Kelly KM, Tromberg BJ, Zachary CB "In vivo multiphoton-microscopy of picosecond-laser-induced optical breakdown in human skin", Lasers in Surgery and Medicine, 49, 555-62 (2017).
22. Amber KT, Valdebran M, Makdisi J, De Feraudy S, Balu M, Kelly KM “A case of photodistributed multicentric Amber KT, Valdebran M, Makdisi J, De Feraudy S, Balu M, Kelly KM “A case of photodistributed multicentric Gesellschaft, 16 (6), 781-783 (2018).
23. Verdel N, Lentsch G, Balu M, Tromberg BJ, and Majaron B, "Noninvasive assessment of skin structure by combined photothermal radiometry and optical spectroscopy: coregistration with multiphoton microscopy," Appl. Opt. 57 (18), D117-D122 (2018).
24. Lin J, Saknite I, Valdebran M, Balu M, Lentsch G, Williams J, Koenig K, Tromberg B, Mesinkovska NA, “Feature characterization of scarring and non-scarring types of alopecia by multiphoton microscopy”, Lasers in Surgery and Medicine, 51(1), 95-103 (2018).
25. Lentsch G, Balu M, Koenig K, Tromberg BJ, Zachary, BC, Smith J, “In vivo multiphoton microscopy of scabies”, JAAD Case Reports 4 (10), 985-987 (2018).
26. Lentsch G, Balu M, Williams J, Lee, S, Harris, R, Koenig, K, Ganesan, A, Tromberg, B, Nair N, Santhanam U, Misra M, “In vivo multiphoton microscopy of melasma”, Pigment Cell & Melanoma Research 32 (3), 403-411 (2019).
27. Lentsch G, Valdebran M, Saknite I, Smith J, Linden KG, Koenig K, Barr RJ, Harris RM, Tromberg BJ, Ganesan AK, Zachary CB, Kelly KM, Balu M. Non-invasive optical biopsy by multiphoton microscopy identifies the live morphology of common melanocytic nevi. Pigment Cell Melanoma Res. 33(6) 869-877 (2020) PMID: 32485062 https://doi.org/10.1111/pcmr.12902.
28. Fast A, Lal A, Durkin AF, Zachary CB, Ganesan AK, Balu M. Fast, large area multiphoton exoscope (FLAME) for macroscopic imaging with microscopic resolution of human skin. Scientific Reports 10(1), 18093 (2020) https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-75172-9.
29. Potma EO, Knez D, Chen Y, Davydova Y, Durkin A, Fast A, Balu M, Norton-Baker B, Martin RW, Baldacchini T, Fishman DA, “Rapid chemically selective 3D imaging in the mid-infrared,” Optica 8, 995-1002 (2021).
30. Mehrabi JN, Fast A, Lentsch G, Balu M, Kelly KM, “A clinical perspective on the automated analysis of reflectance confocal microscopy in dermatology” Lasers Surg Med. 2021 Oct;53(8):1011-1019 PMID: 33476062.
31. McAleer S, Fast A, Xue Y, Seiler MJ, Tang WC, Balu M, Baldi P, Browne AW. “Deep Learning-Assisted Multiphoton Microscopy to Reduce Light Exposure and Expedite Imaging in Tissues With High and Low Light Sensitivity” Transl Vis Sci Technol. (2021) Oct 4;10(12):30. PMID: 34668935; PMCID: PMC8543395.
32. Lentsch G, Baugh EG, Lee B, Aszterbaum M, Zachary CB, Kelly KM, Balu M. “Research Techniques Made Simple: Emerging Imaging Technologies for Noninvasive Optical Biopsy of Human Skin” Journal of Investigative Dermatology 142 (5) 1243-52 (2022) PMID: 35461534.
33. Vicente JR, Durkin A, Shrestha K, Balu M. “In vivo imaging with a fast large-area multiphoton exoscope (FLAME) captures the melanin distribution heterogeneity in human skin,” Scientific Reports 12, 8106 (2022).
34. Shiu J, Zhang L, Lentsch G, Flesher J, Jin S, Polleys C, Jin Jo S, Mizzoni C, Mobasher P, Kwan J, Ruis-Diaz F, Tromberg B, Georgakoudi I, Nie Q, Balu M, Ganesan AK. “Multimodal analyses of vitiligo skin identifies tissue characteristics of stable disease” Journal of Clinical Investigation 7(13):e154585 (2022) PMID: 35653192 PMCID: PMC9310536.
35. Shiu J, Lentsch G, Polleys CM, Mobasher P, Ericson M, Georgakoudi I, Ganesan AK, Balu M. Non-invasive Imaging Techniques for Monitoring Cellular Response to Treatment in Stable Vitiligo. J Invest Dermatol. (2024) Apr;144(4):912-915.e2. doi: 10.1016/j.jid.2023.10.006. PMID: 37645823; PMCID: PMC10462045.
36. Balu M "Collagen remodeling in murine melanoma therapy response through second-harmonic generation imaging," Biophotonics Discovery 1(3), 030501 (2024).
37. Driscoll W, Golbari NM, Vallmitjana A, Durkin AF, Balu M, Zachary CB. Intradermal Delivery of Calcium Hydroxylapatite With Fractionated Ablation. Lasers Surg Med. (2025) Jan;57(1):46-53. doi: 10.1002/lsm.23830. Epub 2024 Aug 19. PMID: 39160686.
38. Vallmitjana A, Torrado B, Durkin AF, Dvornikov A, Rajil N, Ranjit S, Balu M. GSLab: Open-Source Platform for Advanced Phasor Analysis in Fluorescence Microscopy, Bioinformatics 41(4), Apr 2025. PMID: 40233242.
39. Vallmitjana A, Durkin AF, Dvornikov A, Torrado B, Kelly KM, Shiu J, Ganesan AK, Balu M. Label-Free Imaging of In Vivo Skin: Longitudinal Studies Capturing Cell Dynamics, Biomed. Opt. Express, 16(10), Sep 2025.
40. Georgakoudi I, Skala MC, Quinn KP, Stringari C, Sorrells JE, Heikal AA, Li LZ, Xu HN, You S, Walsh AJ, Datta R, Samimi K, Gillette AA, Eliceiri KW, Balu M, Boppart SA, Digman MA, Dunning KR, Evans CL, Garcia AA, Houston JP, Hwang W, Lindley MM, Li X, Liu Z, Marcu L, Murugkar S, Nichols MG, Niesner R, Parekh SH, Rajaram N, Ranjit S, Shen K, Shi L, Torrado B, Vallmitjana A, Wang-Evers M, Zemp R. Consensus guidelines for cellular label-free optical metabolic imaging: ensuring accuracy and reproducibility in metabolic profiling. J Biomed Opt. 2025 Feb;30(Suppl 2):S23901. doi: 10.1117/1.JBO.30.S2.S23901. Epub 2025 Nov 11. PMID: 41230436; PMCID: PMC12604823.
41. Torrado B, Vallmitjana A, Ranjit S, Far-Hadian M, Durkin AF, Dvornikov A, Ganesan AK, Kelly KM, Chang P, Balu M. In Vivo Human Skin Imaging: Distinguishing Cellular and Fibrillar Components with Fluorescence Lifetime Microscopy, Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2025 Nov 19:S0022-202X(25)03549-3. doi: 10.1016/j.jid.2025.10.612. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 41265830.
42. Ranjit S, Torrado B, Vallmitjana A, Durkin AF, Dvornikov A, Ganesan A, Kelly KM, Balu M. Label-free human skin imaging with enhanced molecular contrast via time-resolved fluorescence and advanced phasor analysis. Commun Biol 9, 149 (2026) PMID: 41469503.
BOOK CHAPTERS
1. Liu G, Balu M, Chen Z, and Potma EO, "Miniature Coherent Raman Probes for in vivo Biomedical Imaging", in Coherent Raman Scattering Microscopy, J. X. Cheng and X. S. Xie (Eds.), CRC Press (2013).
2. Balu M, Kelly KM, Harris RM, Koenig K, Zachary CB, Tromberg BJ., “Multiphoton Microscopy and Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging”, Chapter 15; p.75-87 in In vivo multiphoton microscopy of human skin, Koenig K, Editor. Berlin: DeGruyter (2018).
3. Curiel-Lewandrowski C, Stemwedel C, Balu M, Chen SC, Ferris LK, Gerami P, Green AC, Johnson MM, Loescher LJ, Malvehy J, Marghoob AA, Martires K, Pellacani G, Petrie T, Puig S, Saknite I, Swetter SM, Svedenhag P, Tkaczyk ER, Wisco OJ, Leachman SA. Methods of Melanoma Detection. In: Riker AI, editor. Melanoma: A Modern Multidisciplinary Approach. Cham: Springer International Publishing; p. 39-85 (2018).
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
1. System and Method for Efficient Coherence Anti-Stokes Raman Scattering Endoscopic and Intravascular Imaging and Multimodal Imaging. Zhongping Chen, Gangjun Liu, Mihaela Balu, Bruce J. Tromberg, Eric O. Potma. US8582096B2. Awarded: 11/12/2013.
2. Imaging platform based on nonlinear optical microscopy for rapid scanning large areas of tissue. Mihaela Balu, Hideharu Mikami, Eric Potma, Bruce J. Tromberg. US10595770B2. Awarded: 03/24/2020.
3. Methods for non-invasive, label-free imaging of cellular immune response in human skin using a nonlinear optical microscopy imaging system. Mihaela Balu, Anand Ganesan. US12458276B2. Awarded: 11/05/2025.
PROCEEDINGS
1. Balu M, Hagan DJ, Van Stryland EW. “High Spectral Irradiance White-Light Continuum Z-scan” Ultrafast Phenomena XV: Proceedings of the 15th International Conference, Pacific Grove, CA, 2007 Springer.
2. Balu M, Liu G, Chen Z, Tromberg BJ, Potma EO. Scheme for efficient fiber-based CARS probe. Proc. SPIE 7569, Multiphoton Microscopy in the Biomedical Sciences X, 75693A 2010.
3. Krasieva TB, Stringari C, Liu F, Sun CH, Kong Y, Balu M, Meyskens FL, Gratton E, Tromberg BJ. Two-photon excited fluorescence spectroscopy and imaging of melanin in-vitro and in-vivo Proc. SPIE 8226, Multiphoton Microscopy in the Biomedical Sciences XII, 82262S-82262S-7 2010.
4. Balu M, Kelly KM, Zachary CB, Harris RM, Krasieva TB, König K, Tromberg BJ. Clinical studies of pigmented lesions in human skin by using a multiphoton tomograph Proc. SPIE 8588, Multiphoton Microscopy in the Biomedical Sciences XIII, 858812 2013.
5. Balu M, Mikami H, Hou J, Potma EO, Tromberg BJ, Large field of view multiphoton microscopy of human skin Proc. SPIE 9712, Multiphoton Microscopy in the Biomedical Sciences XVI, 97121F 2016.
6. Balu M, Lentsch G, Williams JN, Saknite I, Koenig K, Ganesan A, Tromberg BJ, "In vivo multiphoton microscopy imaging of pigmentary skin disorders," in Optics in the Life Sciences Congress, OSA Technical Digest (online) (Optical Society of America, 2017), paper OmM3D.3.
7. Kalinski, P.; Kokolus, K.; Ahluwalia, I.; Balu, M.; Balwicki, L.; Baran, B., et al. Meeting Highlights The 4th Marie Sklodowska-Curie Symposium on cancer research and care: Mechanisms of support for regional & international collaborations. Wiadomosci Lekarskie, 78(2), 232-247. PMID: 40125737 (2025).
MAGAZINES
1. Mihaela Balu, Joel Hales, David J. Hagan, Eric W. Van Stryland, “Nonlinear spectrometer using a white-light continuum Z-scan” , Optics and Photonics News (Magazine of Optical Society of America), 16, Issue 12, 28 (December 2005).
2. Mihaela Balu , BIOPHOTONICS: Multiphoton Exoscope Broadens Noninvasive Imaging of Skin, Jan/Feb 2022 https://www.photonics.com/Articles/Multiphoton_Exoscope_Broadens_Noninvasive_Imaging/p1/vo210/i1348/a67585.
3. Mihaela Balu, UC Irvine News (March, 2026) https://news.uci.edu/2026/02/19/a-laser-focus-on-melanoma/?utm_source=ucihomepage&utm_medium=banner.
1. Martelli S, Mancini A, Giorgi R, Alexandrescu R, Cojocaru S, Crunteanu A, Voicu I, Balu M, Morjan I. Production of ironoxide nanoparticles by laser-induced pyrolysis of gaseous precursors. Appl Surf Sci. 2000;154:353-9.
2. Balu M, Hales J, Hagan DJ, Van Stryland EW. White-light continuum Z-scan technique for nonlinear materials characterization. Opt Express. 2004;12(16):3820-6.
3. Hernandez FE, Belfield KD, Cohanoschi I, Balu M, Schafer KJ. Three- and four-photon absorption of a multiphoton absorbing fluorescent probe. Appl Optics. 2004;43(28):5394-8.
4. Schafer KJ, Hales JM, Balu M, Belfield KD, Van Stryland EW, Hagan DJ. Two-photon absorption cross-sections of common Schafer KJ, Hales JM, Balu M, Belfield KD, Van Stryland EW, Hagan DJ. Two-photon absorption cross-sections of common
5. Balu M, Hales J, Hagan DJ, Van Stryland EW. Dispersion of nonlinear refraction and two-photon absorption using a white-light continuum Z-scan. Opt Express. 2005;13(10):3594-9.
6. Balu M, Padilha LA, Hagan DJ, Van Stryland EW, Yao S, Belfield K, et al. Broadband Z-scan characterization using a high-spectral-irradiance, high-quality supercontinuum. J Opt Soc Am B. 2008;25(2):159-65.
7. Balu M, Baldacchini T, Carter J, Krasieva TB, Zadoyan R, Tromberg BJ. Effect of excitation wavelength on penetration depth in nonlinear optical microscopy of turbid media. J Biomed Opt. 2009;14 (1):010508.
8. Balu M, Liu GJ, Chen ZP, Tromberg BJ, Potma EO. Fiber delivered probe for efficient CARS imaging of tissues. Opt Express. 2010;18 (3):2380-8.
9. Getmanenko YA, Hales JM, Balu M, Fu J, Zojer E, Kwon O, et al. Characterization of a dipolar chromophore with third-harmonic generation applications in the near-IR. J Mater Chem. 2012; 22 (10):4371-82.
10. Balu M, Mazhar A, Hayakawa C, Mittal R, Krasieva TB, Koenig K, Venugopalan V, Tromberg BJ. In vivo multiphoton NADH fluorescence reveals depth-dependent keratinocyte metabolism in human skin. Biophysical Journal, 2012; 104(1): 258-67
11. Mittal R, Balu M, Wilder-Smith P, Potma EO. Achromatic miniature lens system for coherent Raman scattering microscopy. Biomed Opt Express, 2013; 4(10):2196-206
12. Krasieva TB, Stringari C, Liu F, Sun CH, Kong Y, Balu M, Meyskens FL, Gratton E, Tromberg BJ. Two-photon excited fluorescence lifetime imaging (FLIM) and spectroscopy of melanins in-vitro and in-vivo, Journal Biomed Opt. 2013; 18(3):031107.
13. Mittal R, Balu M, Krasieva T, Potma EO, Elkeeb L, Zachary CB, Wilder-Smith P. Evaluation of stimulated Raman scattering microscopy for identifying squamous cell carcinoma in human skin. Laser Surg Med. 2013; 45(8): 496-502.
14. Balu M, Kelly MK, Zachary CB, Harris RM, Krasieva TB, Koenig K, Durkin AJ, Tromberg, BJ. Distinguishing between benign and malignant melanocytic nevi by in vivo multiphoton microscopy. Cancer Research 2014; 74(10), 2688-97.
15. Balu M, Saytashev I, Hou J, Dantus M, Tromberg BJ. Sub-40 fs, 1060-nm Yb-fiber laser enhances penetration depth in nonlinear optical microscopy of human skin. J Biomed Opt. 2015;20(12):120501. doi: 10.1117/1.JBO.20.12.120501. PubMed PMID: 26641198; PMCID: 4671301.
16. Balu M, Tromberg, BJ. Multiphoton microscopy for non-invasive optical biopsy of human skin. RoJCED 2015;2(3):160-6.
17. Saager RB, Balu M, Crosignani V, Sharif A, Durkin AJ, Kelly KM, Tromberg BJ. In vivo measurements of cutaneous melanin across spatial scales: using multiphoton microscopy and spatial frequency domain spectroscopy. J Biomed Opt. 2015;20(6):066005. PMID: 26065839; PMCID: 4463032.
18. Balu M, Zachary CB, Harris RM, Krasieva TB, Koenig K, Tromberg BJ, Kelly MK. In Vivo Multiphoton Microscopy of Basal Cell Carcinoma. JAMA Dermatology 2015; 151(10): 1068-74.
19. Balu M, Mikami H, Hou J, Potma EO, and Tromberg BJ, "Rapid mesoscale multiphoton microscopy of human skin," Biomed. Opt. Express 2016; 7, 4375-4387 PMC5119580.
20. Pouli D, Balu M, Alonzo CA, Liu Z, Quinn KP, Rius-Diaz F, Harris RM, Kelly KM, Tromberg BJ, Georgakoudi I "Imaging mitochondrial dynamics in human skin reveals depth-dependent hypoxia and malignant potential for diagnosis", Science Translational Medicine, 8, 367ra169 (2016).
21. Balu M, Lentsch G, Korta D, Koenig K, Kelly KM, Tromberg BJ, Zachary CB "In vivo multiphoton-microscopy of picosecond-laser-induced optical breakdown in human skin", Lasers in Surgery and Medicine, 49, 555-62 (2017).
22. Amber KT, Valdebran M, Makdisi J, De Feraudy S, Balu M, Kelly KM “A case of photodistributed multicentric Amber KT, Valdebran M, Makdisi J, De Feraudy S, Balu M, Kelly KM “A case of photodistributed multicentric Gesellschaft, 16 (6), 781-783 (2018).
23. Verdel N, Lentsch G, Balu M, Tromberg BJ, and Majaron B, "Noninvasive assessment of skin structure by combined photothermal radiometry and optical spectroscopy: coregistration with multiphoton microscopy," Appl. Opt. 57 (18), D117-D122 (2018).
24. Lin J, Saknite I, Valdebran M, Balu M, Lentsch G, Williams J, Koenig K, Tromberg B, Mesinkovska NA, “Feature characterization of scarring and non-scarring types of alopecia by multiphoton microscopy”, Lasers in Surgery and Medicine, 51(1), 95-103 (2018).
25. Lentsch G, Balu M, Koenig K, Tromberg BJ, Zachary, BC, Smith J, “In vivo multiphoton microscopy of scabies”, JAAD Case Reports 4 (10), 985-987 (2018).
26. Lentsch G, Balu M, Williams J, Lee, S, Harris, R, Koenig, K, Ganesan, A, Tromberg, B, Nair N, Santhanam U, Misra M, “In vivo multiphoton microscopy of melasma”, Pigment Cell & Melanoma Research 32 (3), 403-411 (2019).
27. Lentsch G, Valdebran M, Saknite I, Smith J, Linden KG, Koenig K, Barr RJ, Harris RM, Tromberg BJ, Ganesan AK, Zachary CB, Kelly KM, Balu M. Non-invasive optical biopsy by multiphoton microscopy identifies the live morphology of common melanocytic nevi. Pigment Cell Melanoma Res. 33(6) 869-877 (2020) PMID: 32485062 https://doi.org/10.1111/pcmr.12902.
28. Fast A, Lal A, Durkin AF, Zachary CB, Ganesan AK, Balu M. Fast, large area multiphoton exoscope (FLAME) for macroscopic imaging with microscopic resolution of human skin. Scientific Reports 10(1), 18093 (2020) https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-75172-9.
29. Potma EO, Knez D, Chen Y, Davydova Y, Durkin A, Fast A, Balu M, Norton-Baker B, Martin RW, Baldacchini T, Fishman DA, “Rapid chemically selective 3D imaging in the mid-infrared,” Optica 8, 995-1002 (2021).
30. Mehrabi JN, Fast A, Lentsch G, Balu M, Kelly KM, “A clinical perspective on the automated analysis of reflectance confocal microscopy in dermatology” Lasers Surg Med. 2021 Oct;53(8):1011-1019 PMID: 33476062.
31. McAleer S, Fast A, Xue Y, Seiler MJ, Tang WC, Balu M, Baldi P, Browne AW. “Deep Learning-Assisted Multiphoton Microscopy to Reduce Light Exposure and Expedite Imaging in Tissues With High and Low Light Sensitivity” Transl Vis Sci Technol. (2021) Oct 4;10(12):30. PMID: 34668935; PMCID: PMC8543395.
32. Lentsch G, Baugh EG, Lee B, Aszterbaum M, Zachary CB, Kelly KM, Balu M. “Research Techniques Made Simple: Emerging Imaging Technologies for Noninvasive Optical Biopsy of Human Skin” Journal of Investigative Dermatology 142 (5) 1243-52 (2022) PMID: 35461534.
33. Vicente JR, Durkin A, Shrestha K, Balu M. “In vivo imaging with a fast large-area multiphoton exoscope (FLAME) captures the melanin distribution heterogeneity in human skin,” Scientific Reports 12, 8106 (2022).
34. Shiu J, Zhang L, Lentsch G, Flesher J, Jin S, Polleys C, Jin Jo S, Mizzoni C, Mobasher P, Kwan J, Ruis-Diaz F, Tromberg B, Georgakoudi I, Nie Q, Balu M, Ganesan AK. “Multimodal analyses of vitiligo skin identifies tissue characteristics of stable disease” Journal of Clinical Investigation 7(13):e154585 (2022) PMID: 35653192 PMCID: PMC9310536.
35. Shiu J, Lentsch G, Polleys CM, Mobasher P, Ericson M, Georgakoudi I, Ganesan AK, Balu M. Non-invasive Imaging Techniques for Monitoring Cellular Response to Treatment in Stable Vitiligo. J Invest Dermatol. (2024) Apr;144(4):912-915.e2. doi: 10.1016/j.jid.2023.10.006. PMID: 37645823; PMCID: PMC10462045.
36. Balu M "Collagen remodeling in murine melanoma therapy response through second-harmonic generation imaging," Biophotonics Discovery 1(3), 030501 (2024).
37. Driscoll W, Golbari NM, Vallmitjana A, Durkin AF, Balu M, Zachary CB. Intradermal Delivery of Calcium Hydroxylapatite With Fractionated Ablation. Lasers Surg Med. (2025) Jan;57(1):46-53. doi: 10.1002/lsm.23830. Epub 2024 Aug 19. PMID: 39160686.
38. Vallmitjana A, Torrado B, Durkin AF, Dvornikov A, Rajil N, Ranjit S, Balu M. GSLab: Open-Source Platform for Advanced Phasor Analysis in Fluorescence Microscopy, Bioinformatics 41(4), Apr 2025. PMID: 40233242.
39. Vallmitjana A, Durkin AF, Dvornikov A, Torrado B, Kelly KM, Shiu J, Ganesan AK, Balu M. Label-Free Imaging of In Vivo Skin: Longitudinal Studies Capturing Cell Dynamics, Biomed. Opt. Express, 16(10), Sep 2025.
40. Georgakoudi I, Skala MC, Quinn KP, Stringari C, Sorrells JE, Heikal AA, Li LZ, Xu HN, You S, Walsh AJ, Datta R, Samimi K, Gillette AA, Eliceiri KW, Balu M, Boppart SA, Digman MA, Dunning KR, Evans CL, Garcia AA, Houston JP, Hwang W, Lindley MM, Li X, Liu Z, Marcu L, Murugkar S, Nichols MG, Niesner R, Parekh SH, Rajaram N, Ranjit S, Shen K, Shi L, Torrado B, Vallmitjana A, Wang-Evers M, Zemp R. Consensus guidelines for cellular label-free optical metabolic imaging: ensuring accuracy and reproducibility in metabolic profiling. J Biomed Opt. 2025 Feb;30(Suppl 2):S23901. doi: 10.1117/1.JBO.30.S2.S23901. Epub 2025 Nov 11. PMID: 41230436; PMCID: PMC12604823.
41. Torrado B, Vallmitjana A, Ranjit S, Far-Hadian M, Durkin AF, Dvornikov A, Ganesan AK, Kelly KM, Chang P, Balu M. In Vivo Human Skin Imaging: Distinguishing Cellular and Fibrillar Components with Fluorescence Lifetime Microscopy, Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2025 Nov 19:S0022-202X(25)03549-3. doi: 10.1016/j.jid.2025.10.612. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 41265830.
42. Ranjit S, Torrado B, Vallmitjana A, Durkin AF, Dvornikov A, Ganesan A, Kelly KM, Balu M. Label-free human skin imaging with enhanced molecular contrast via time-resolved fluorescence and advanced phasor analysis. Commun Biol 9, 149 (2026) PMID: 41469503.
BOOK CHAPTERS
1. Liu G, Balu M, Chen Z, and Potma EO, "Miniature Coherent Raman Probes for in vivo Biomedical Imaging", in Coherent Raman Scattering Microscopy, J. X. Cheng and X. S. Xie (Eds.), CRC Press (2013).
2. Balu M, Kelly KM, Harris RM, Koenig K, Zachary CB, Tromberg BJ., “Multiphoton Microscopy and Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging”, Chapter 15; p.75-87 in In vivo multiphoton microscopy of human skin, Koenig K, Editor. Berlin: DeGruyter (2018).
3. Curiel-Lewandrowski C, Stemwedel C, Balu M, Chen SC, Ferris LK, Gerami P, Green AC, Johnson MM, Loescher LJ, Malvehy J, Marghoob AA, Martires K, Pellacani G, Petrie T, Puig S, Saknite I, Swetter SM, Svedenhag P, Tkaczyk ER, Wisco OJ, Leachman SA. Methods of Melanoma Detection. In: Riker AI, editor. Melanoma: A Modern Multidisciplinary Approach. Cham: Springer International Publishing; p. 39-85 (2018).
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
1. System and Method for Efficient Coherence Anti-Stokes Raman Scattering Endoscopic and Intravascular Imaging and Multimodal Imaging. Zhongping Chen, Gangjun Liu, Mihaela Balu, Bruce J. Tromberg, Eric O. Potma. US8582096B2. Awarded: 11/12/2013.
2. Imaging platform based on nonlinear optical microscopy for rapid scanning large areas of tissue. Mihaela Balu, Hideharu Mikami, Eric Potma, Bruce J. Tromberg. US10595770B2. Awarded: 03/24/2020.
3. Methods for non-invasive, label-free imaging of cellular immune response in human skin using a nonlinear optical microscopy imaging system. Mihaela Balu, Anand Ganesan. US12458276B2. Awarded: 11/05/2025.
PROCEEDINGS
1. Balu M, Hagan DJ, Van Stryland EW. “High Spectral Irradiance White-Light Continuum Z-scan” Ultrafast Phenomena XV: Proceedings of the 15th International Conference, Pacific Grove, CA, 2007 Springer.
2. Balu M, Liu G, Chen Z, Tromberg BJ, Potma EO. Scheme for efficient fiber-based CARS probe. Proc. SPIE 7569, Multiphoton Microscopy in the Biomedical Sciences X, 75693A 2010.
3. Krasieva TB, Stringari C, Liu F, Sun CH, Kong Y, Balu M, Meyskens FL, Gratton E, Tromberg BJ. Two-photon excited fluorescence spectroscopy and imaging of melanin in-vitro and in-vivo Proc. SPIE 8226, Multiphoton Microscopy in the Biomedical Sciences XII, 82262S-82262S-7 2010.
4. Balu M, Kelly KM, Zachary CB, Harris RM, Krasieva TB, König K, Tromberg BJ. Clinical studies of pigmented lesions in human skin by using a multiphoton tomograph Proc. SPIE 8588, Multiphoton Microscopy in the Biomedical Sciences XIII, 858812 2013.
5. Balu M, Mikami H, Hou J, Potma EO, Tromberg BJ, Large field of view multiphoton microscopy of human skin Proc. SPIE 9712, Multiphoton Microscopy in the Biomedical Sciences XVI, 97121F 2016.
6. Balu M, Lentsch G, Williams JN, Saknite I, Koenig K, Ganesan A, Tromberg BJ, "In vivo multiphoton microscopy imaging of pigmentary skin disorders," in Optics in the Life Sciences Congress, OSA Technical Digest (online) (Optical Society of America, 2017), paper OmM3D.3.
7. Kalinski, P.; Kokolus, K.; Ahluwalia, I.; Balu, M.; Balwicki, L.; Baran, B., et al. Meeting Highlights The 4th Marie Sklodowska-Curie Symposium on cancer research and care: Mechanisms of support for regional & international collaborations. Wiadomosci Lekarskie, 78(2), 232-247. PMID: 40125737 (2025).
MAGAZINES
1. Mihaela Balu, Joel Hales, David J. Hagan, Eric W. Van Stryland, “Nonlinear spectrometer using a white-light continuum Z-scan” , Optics and Photonics News (Magazine of Optical Society of America), 16, Issue 12, 28 (December 2005).
2. Mihaela Balu , BIOPHOTONICS: Multiphoton Exoscope Broadens Noninvasive Imaging of Skin, Jan/Feb 2022 https://www.photonics.com/Articles/Multiphoton_Exoscope_Broadens_Noninvasive_Imaging/p1/vo210/i1348/a67585.
3. Mihaela Balu, UC Irvine News (March, 2026) https://news.uci.edu/2026/02/19/a-laser-focus-on-melanoma/?utm_source=ucihomepage&utm_medium=banner.
Grants
NIH/NCI 1R01 CA259019 | "Fast, large area, multiphoton exoscope (FLAME) for improving early detection of melanoma" | Role: PI; Overseeing the design, development and validation of a clinical imaging platform optimized for early detection of melanoma in partnership with industry and academic collaborators | 09/01/2022 - 08/31/2027
NIH/NIBIB 2R01 EB026705 | "Development of a fast scanning, extended field-of-view multiphoton microscope for clinical skin imaging" | Role: PI | 04/01/2023 - 03/31/2027
NIH/NIAMS 2P30 AR075047 | "Skin Biology Resource-Based Center at UCI" | Role: Co-Investigator; Responsible for providing access to and supervising the hands-on training for the clinical multiphoton microscopy platform to P30 members. Offer introductory lectures on clinical skin imaging technology to P30 members at least once a year | 04/01/2024 - 03/31/2029
Department of Defense | "Enhancing Postdoctoral Training in DoD Photonics Research for Under-Represented Minorities" | Role: Co-Investigator | 01/01/2023 - 06/30/2027
Department of Defense | "Intravital Imaging of Melanoma Tumors for Mechanism Discovery and Patient Surveillance After Checkpoint Blockade Immunotherapy" | Role: Co-Investigator | 11/01/2023 - 09/30/2026
Abbvie | "Observational Study on Identifying Cytologic and Molecular Biomarkers of Vitiligo Therapeutic Response" | Role: Co-Investigator | 09/01/2023 - 08/30/2026
UCI Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, Office of Community Outreach and Engagement | "Why Do Melanomas in Latin X Patients Evade Early Detection?" | Role: PI; Overseeing the scientific direction related to imaging, data analysis, and results interpretation | 01/01/2021 - 12/31/2021
UCI Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center | "Pilot study for evaluating the multiphoton microscopy potential for non-invasive, early diagnosis of melanoma" | Role: PI; Overseeing the scientific direction related to imaging, data analysis and results interpretation | 03/01/2020 - 02/28/2021
NIH/NIAMS 1R21 AR082648 | "In vivo label-free optical imaging of immune cells in human skin" | Role: PI | 04/01/2023 - 12/31/2025
NIH/NIBIB 5R01 EB026705 | "Development of a fast scanning, extended field-of-view multiphoton microscope for clinical skin imaging" | Role: PI | 04/01/2019 - 03/31/2023
NIH/NIBIB SBIR R43 EB30931 | "Development of a Fast Large Area Multiphoton Exoscope (FLAME)" | Role: Co-PI of the sub-award | 09/20/2020 - 03/19/2021
1940-103-008 Allergan, Inc. | " A Phase 1, single-center, open-label, placebo-controlled evaluation of dermal extracellular matrix following intradermal injection of BoNT/A (Botulinum Toxin Type A:Onabotulinumtoxin A) in adult participants" | Role: PI; Overseeing the scientific direction related to imaging, data analysis and results interpretation | 11/27/2019 - 11/30/2020
NIH/NCI R01 CA195466 | "Quantitative multiphoton microscopy for non-invasive diagnosis of melanoma" | Role: PI; Supervising the data acquisition, responsible for data analysis and results interpretation | 03/01/2016 - 02/28/2020
Unilever UNI202090 | "In vivo multiphoton microscopy imaging of epidermal and dermal melasma" | Role: PI; Supervising the data acquisition, responsible for data analysis and results interpretation | 10/01/2016 - 09/30/2017
Unilever UNI202080 | "Evaluation of the effects of cosmetic treatments on skin collagen and elastin remodeling" | Role: PI; Supervising the data acquisition, responsible for data analysis and results interpretation | 12/15/2014 - 12/14/2016
Professional Societies
SPIE
OSA
Other Experience
Associate Researcher and Principal Investigator
Beckman Laser Institute and Medical Clinic, UC Irvine 2019—2024
Beckman Laser Institute and Medical Clinic, UC Irvine 2019—2024
Assistant Project Scientist
Beckman Laser Institute and Medical Clinic, UC Irvine 2016—2018
Beckman Laser Institute and Medical Clinic, UC Irvine 2016—2018
Associate Specialist
Tromberg Lab, Beckman Laser Institute and Medical Clinic, UC Irvine 2013—2016
Tromberg Lab, Beckman Laser Institute and Medical Clinic, UC Irvine 2013—2016
Assistant Specialist
Tromberg Lab, Beckman Laser Institute and Medical Clinic, UC Irvine 2011—2013
Tromberg Lab, Beckman Laser Institute and Medical Clinic, UC Irvine 2011—2013
Postdoctoral Researcher
Tromberg Lab, Beckman Laser Institute and Medical Center, UC Irvine 2007—2011
Tromberg Lab, Beckman Laser Institute and Medical Center, UC Irvine 2007—2011
Link to this profile
https://faculty.uci.edu/profile/?facultyId=7287
https://faculty.uci.edu/profile/?facultyId=7287
Last updated
06/15/2026
06/15/2026