Mini Das, Moores Professor in the University of Houston College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics and a leading innovator in advanced x-ray and optical imaging, has been elected a 2026 Optica Fellow, one of the most prestigious recognitions in the optics and photonics community.
Optica, formerly the Optical Society of America, selects Fellows for distinguished contributions to the field, including advances in research, engineering, education and service. The honor is limited to no more than 10 percent of the society’s total membership, and the 2026 class was chosen from 239 nominations reviewed by the Optica Fellow Members Committee. New Fellows will be recognized at Optica conferences and events throughout the year.
Das, who holds appointments in physics, biomedical engineering, and electrical and computer engineering, is known for pioneering work that merges optical physics, engineering concepts. image science, advanced detector technology and computational imaging to address longstanding challenges in medical and biological imaging.
Breakthroughs in Imaging Physics and Perception
Das’s research group develops new imaging methods that reveal “hidden contrast” in tissues and materials—details that current clinical x-ray systems struggle to detect without increasing radiation dose.
“For decades, the field has grappled with how to improve x-ray and CT contrast without adding dose,” Das said. “Our group has introduced concepts and instrumentation that open the door to practical, translatable solutions.”
Her lab also leads major efforts in image perception and human decision-making in medical imaging. By examining how radiologists interpret complex images and identifying the visual features that drive detection, her team works to strengthen the link between image formation and diagnostic performance.
“Image formation is one challenge but understanding how humans perceive and interpret these images is equally critical,” she said. “Our work connects optics and physics with vision science to improve detection and decision-making in real-world settings.”
In addition to X-ray optics and imaging, Das group is also exploring topics in near-infrared optical imaging methods to develop multi-modality solutions for discriminating deep seated cancers with both structural and functional imaging.
Expanding Impact Across Disciplines
Although her innovations are rooted in biomedical imaging—such as breast cancer screening, pediatric imaging and lung imaging—their applications extend far beyond health care. Researchers in materials science, geophysics, petroleum engineering and defense have contacted her group to explore how her imaging techniques might address their own challenges.
“My hope is that this recognition brings broader awareness of how these developments can benefit many fields,” Das said. “We are increasingly seeing interest from communities we had not initially anticipated.”
Das also collaborates with scientists at CERN to evaluate and advance next-generation photon-counting and quantum detectors. These technologies support spectral and phase-sensitive imaging methods that were long considered impractical for clinical use.
Transforming Imaging for the Next Decade
Das envisions that advances from her lab will help reshape the physics of x-ray imaging—an area that has seen limited fundamental change since the discovery of x-rays more than a century ago.
“Millions of women receive breast cancer screenings using imaging physics developed over a century ago,” she said. “We aim to translate new methods that make screening safer, more informative and more accessible. This requires combining advanced physics models, system designs, instrumentation and computational approaches.”
Her work also has potential to reduce radiation exposure, improve soft-tissue visibility in small-animal imaging, and enable longitudinal studies that are currently limited by dose constraints.
“In the next five to 10 years, I anticipate significant impact in lung imaging, breast imaging, pediatric imaging and small-animal research,” she said. “Our goal is to bring practical, robust innovations to the clinic and beyond.”
Funding Support and Recognitions
Das’s interdisciplinary research is funded through multiple agencies, including the National Science Foundation, Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs and National Institutes of Health. She mentors students from physics, biomedical engineering and electrical engineering. Das is also a Fellow of the International society of Optics and Photonics (SPIE) since 2022.
Das credits the University of Houston support for fostering an interdisciplinary environment where physics, engineering and computational science intersect.
“The University of Houston, the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, and Cullen College of Engineering have been incredibly supportive from the beginning,” she said. “Our group brings together students from physics and multiple engineering departments, and that diversity of expertise is essential for our work. UH has provided an outstanding environment to pursue these ideas.”
About Optica
Optica, Advancing Optics and Photonics Worldwide, is the leading society dedicated to promoting the generation, application and dissemination of knowledge in optics and photonics. Founded in 1916, Optica supports a global community of scientists, engineers, business professionals, and students. Its publications, conferences, online resources, and programs accelerate scientific discovery and technological innovation. Learn more at Optica.org.