Photonics Group

Established in 2011 by Dr. Alexandre Douplik, Professor in the Department of Physics and Affiliated Scientist at St. Michael's Hospital, the Toronto Metropolitan University's Photonics Group serves as an interdisciplinary hub for advanced research in optical sciences. Operating within the Faculty of Science, our laboratory specializes in the development of cutting-edge biophotonics, industrial optics, and immersive virtual or mixed reality technologies. By bridging the gap between fundamental light physics and applied clinical engineering, our investigators design non-invasive solutions to meet complex global healthcare and industrial challenges.

Our research enterprise is strategically distributed across two facilities to maximize experimental capability and clinical translation. The Dry Lab (located in Kerr Hall East) provides the infrastructural foundation for rapid optoelectronic, mechanical, and software prototyping. Complementing this, our Wet Lab at the iBEST facility within the Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute drives high-end optophotonic instrumentation testing and biological tissue analysis in direct proximity to active medical practitioners.

A definitive milestone showcasing our group's international scientific contribution is the recent publication of the comprehensive handbook, The Optics of Blood: A Handbook (IOP Series) (external link, opens in new window) , authored by Prof. Douplik alongside a multi-institutional cohort of global leaders to revolutionize diagnostic blood monitoring and bridge foundational light-matter physics and bedside clinical diagnostics.

Central to the Photonics Group is an educational model that transforms academic knowledge into high-impact experiential learning. Graduate and undergraduate students are integrated directly into peer-reviewed research programs that target commercially potential technologies, preparing them for leadership roles in both academia and Canada's technology sector. We invite prospective graduate scholars, academic collaborators, and industry partners to explore our active research initiatives, consult our publication record, and join us in driving the next generation of optical innovation.