Kevin Keomanee-Dizon

Owner & Founder, Coastal Applied Physics & Engineering (CAPE)
Founding Technical Lead, Microscope Development, Triplet Imaging

Dicke Fellow in Experimental Physics, Princeton University
Fellow, Center for the Physics of Biological Function
Ph.D., University of Southern California

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Research

I'm interested in pushing the boundaries of optics to advance both basic science and translational research. Recent projects focus on inventing and refining microscope technologies to explore the universe within complex living systems, from the dynamics of single molecules to computation in the brain. Some favorite papers are highlighted.

Select Publications

	Emergence of numerical representation by individual neurons in days-old zebrafish P Luu, A Nadtochiy, M Zanon, N Moreno, A Messina, ME Miletto Petrazzini, JV Torres-Perez, K Keomanee-Dizon, M Jones, CH Brennan, G Vallortigara, TV Truong, SE Fraser, TV Truong bioRxiv:2024.08.30.610552 (2024) By applying two-photon light-sheet microscopy with visual stimuli to larval zebrafish, we map whole-brain activity at cellular resolution and trace the early emergence of "number neurons," revealing that the dynamics of neural networks can encode computation and abstract cognition in the brain.
	Extended depth-of-field light-sheet microscopy at high numerical aperture K Keomanee-Dizon, M Jones, P Luu, SE Fraser, TV Truong Applied Physics Letters 121, 163701 (2022) arXiv:2206.00141 (2022) We present a light-sheet approach that maximizes photon collection, and document that this improves the signal-to-noise ratio and volumetric coverage. Our method uses a pupil phase mask to extend the detection depth of field to match the thickness of the illumination light sheet, thereby collecting as useful signal the fluorescence photons that would otherwise be lost or appear as SNR-destroying background.
	A single-shot hyperspectral phasor camera for fast, multicolor fluorescence microscopy P Wang, M Kitano, K Keomanee-Dizon, TV Truong, SE Fraser, F Cutrale Cell Reports Methods 3, 100441 (2023) Nature Methods Research Highlight \| USC News \| Phys.org \| Research Square (2022) A Fourier transform-based method for snapshot hyperspectral imaging enables photon-efficient and fast fluorescence multiplexing, even in low signal-to-noise conditions.
	Single-objective selective-volume illumination microscopy S Madaan, K Keomanee-Dizon, M Jones, C Zhong, A Nadtochiy, P Luu, SE Fraser, TV Truong Optics Letters 46, 2860-2863 (2021) NASA's JPL 2020 Technology Highlights \| 12th Light Sheet Fluorescence Microscopy Conference 2020 \| arXiv:2010.0644 (2020) We adapt selective-volume illumination microscopy (SVIM) to a single-objective geometry, using an oblique one-photon illumination path or two-photon excitation to enable high-contrast light-field imaging. This technology is liscensed to ZEISS.
	A versatile, multi-laser twin-microscope system for light-sheet imaging K Keomanee-Dizon, SE Fraser, TV Truong Review of Scientific Instruments 91, 053703 (2020) bioRxiv:801688 (2019) We present the design and construction of an instrument with two independently controlled light-sheet microscope-twins sharing the same multi-laser source, dramatically cutting the cost of the system. We image a variety of specimens, demonstrating instrument versatility and application-specific customization. This technology is serving researchers at the USC Translational Imaging Center, and has also been adopted by research groups throughout the U.S.
	Light-field-based selective-volume illumination microscopy TV Truong¹, DB Holland¹, S Madaan¹, A Andreev, K Keomanee-Dizon, JV Troll, DES Koo, M McFall-Ngai, SE Fraser Communications Biology 3, 1-8 (2020) Nature Methods In Brief \| bioRxiv:403303 (2018) We introduce SVIM, combining the high-contrast associated with light-sheet microscopy and the high-synchronous volumetric acquisition rates of light-field microscopy (limited only by the detector and available signal). This technology is liscensed to ZEISS.
	High-throughput imaging and analysis of circulating tumor cells K Keomanee-Dizon, S Shishido, P Kuhn Tumor Liquid Biopsies, F Schaffner, JL Merlin, NV Bubnoff, editors, 89-104 (Springer, 2019) We discuss progress in methods to measure circulating tumor cells, the hematogenous phase of cancer, and we highlight some initial applications, as well as its performance in early-stage diagnosis and treatment monitoring.
	Four-dimensional heterogeneity of fluid phase biopsies in cancer A Calrsson, P Kuhn, M Luttgen, K Keomanee-Dizon, P Troncoso, P Corn, A Kolatkar, JB Hicks, CJ Logothetis, AJ Zurita Clinical Cancer Research 23, 1722-1732 (2017) Nature Reviews Urology Research Highlight We chracterize tumor cells in the fluid phase of blood and bone metastases, revealing new insights into their biophysical properties and clinical potential.
	Super-resolution imaging in live animals H Zhan, R Stanciauskas, C Stigloher, K Keomanee-Dizon, M Jospin, JL Bessereau, F Pinaud Nature Communications 5, 4974 (2014) Nature Methods Methods in Brief \| BioPhotonics Research Highlight We use split-fluoresent proteins and their activation by complementary synthetic peptides to localize indivdual molecules and track their diffusion with a precision of 30 nm, directly in live animals.

Teaching

Advanced Microscopy and Image Processing for Living Systems (ECE 552)
Princeton University, Electrical & Computer Engineering Department
Guest Lecturer, Fall 2022-23

Physics of Life Summer School
Princeton University, Center for the Physics of Biological Function
Lecturer and Laboratory Instructor, Summers 2022-23

Biophysics (PHY 562)
Princeton University, Physics Department
Assistant Instructor, Spring 2023

Physical Biology: From Molecules to Cells (PHYS 444)
University of Southern California, Physics & Astronomy Department
Guest Lecturer, Fall 2019

19th Annual International Summer School on Adaptive Optics
University of California at Santa Cruz, Center for Adaptive Optics
Laboratory Instructor, Summer 2019

Good artists copy.

	Emergence of numerical representation by individual neurons in days-old zebrafish P Luu, A Nadtochiy, M Zanon, N Moreno, A Messina, ME Miletto Petrazzini, JV Torres-Perez, K Keomanee-Dizon, M Jones, CH Brennan, G Vallortigara, TV Truong, SE Fraser, TV Truong bioRxiv:2024.08.30.610552 (2024) By applying two-photon light-sheet microscopy with visual stimuli to larval zebrafish, we map whole-brain activity at cellular resolution and trace the early emergence of "number neurons," revealing that the dynamics of neural networks can encode computation and abstract cognition in the brain.
	Extended depth-of-field light-sheet microscopy at high numerical aperture K Keomanee-Dizon, M Jones, P Luu, SE Fraser, TV Truong Applied Physics Letters 121, 163701 (2022) arXiv:2206.00141 (2022) We present a light-sheet approach that maximizes photon collection, and document that this improves the signal-to-noise ratio and volumetric coverage. Our method uses a pupil phase mask to extend the detection depth of field to match the thickness of the illumination light sheet, thereby collecting as useful signal the fluorescence photons that would otherwise be lost or appear as SNR-destroying background.
	A single-shot hyperspectral phasor camera for fast, multicolor fluorescence microscopy P Wang, M Kitano, K Keomanee-Dizon, TV Truong, SE Fraser, F Cutrale Cell Reports Methods 3, 100441 (2023) Nature Methods Research Highlight \| USC News \| Phys.org \| Research Square (2022) A Fourier transform-based method for snapshot hyperspectral imaging enables photon-efficient and fast fluorescence multiplexing, even in low signal-to-noise conditions.
	Single-objective selective-volume illumination microscopy S Madaan, K Keomanee-Dizon, M Jones, C Zhong, A Nadtochiy, P Luu, SE Fraser, TV Truong Optics Letters 46, 2860-2863 (2021) NASA's JPL 2020 Technology Highlights \| 12th Light Sheet Fluorescence Microscopy Conference 2020 \| arXiv:2010.0644 (2020) We adapt selective-volume illumination microscopy (SVIM) to a single-objective geometry, using an oblique one-photon illumination path or two-photon excitation to enable high-contrast light-field imaging. This technology is liscensed to ZEISS.
	A versatile, multi-laser twin-microscope system for light-sheet imaging K Keomanee-Dizon, SE Fraser, TV Truong Review of Scientific Instruments 91, 053703 (2020) bioRxiv:801688 (2019) We present the design and construction of an instrument with two independently controlled light-sheet microscope-twins sharing the same multi-laser source, dramatically cutting the cost of the system. We image a variety of specimens, demonstrating instrument versatility and application-specific customization. This technology is serving researchers at the USC Translational Imaging Center, and has also been adopted by research groups throughout the U.S.
	Light-field-based selective-volume illumination microscopy TV Truong¹, DB Holland¹, S Madaan¹, A Andreev, K Keomanee-Dizon, JV Troll, DES Koo, M McFall-Ngai, SE Fraser Communications Biology 3, 1-8 (2020) Nature Methods In Brief \| bioRxiv:403303 (2018) We introduce SVIM, combining the high-contrast associated with light-sheet microscopy and the high-synchronous volumetric acquisition rates of light-field microscopy (limited only by the detector and available signal). This technology is liscensed to ZEISS.
	High-throughput imaging and analysis of circulating tumor cells K Keomanee-Dizon, S Shishido, P Kuhn Tumor Liquid Biopsies, F Schaffner, JL Merlin, NV Bubnoff, editors, 89-104 (Springer, 2019) We discuss progress in methods to measure circulating tumor cells, the hematogenous phase of cancer, and we highlight some initial applications, as well as its performance in early-stage diagnosis and treatment monitoring.
	Four-dimensional heterogeneity of fluid phase biopsies in cancer A Calrsson, P Kuhn, M Luttgen, K Keomanee-Dizon, P Troncoso, P Corn, A Kolatkar, JB Hicks, CJ Logothetis, AJ Zurita Clinical Cancer Research 23, 1722-1732 (2017) Nature Reviews Urology Research Highlight We chracterize tumor cells in the fluid phase of blood and bone metastases, revealing new insights into their biophysical properties and clinical potential.
	Super-resolution imaging in live animals H Zhan, R Stanciauskas, C Stigloher, K Keomanee-Dizon, M Jospin, JL Bessereau, F Pinaud Nature Communications 5, 4974 (2014) Nature Methods Methods in Brief \| BioPhotonics Research Highlight We use split-fluoresent proteins and their activation by complementary synthetic peptides to localize indivdual molecules and track their diffusion with a precision of 30 nm, directly in live animals.