Advances in Optics for Biotechnology, Medicine and Surgery XVIII

May 18-22, 2025
Cork, Ireland

About This Conference

The primary goal of this conference is to bring together scientists, engineers and clinicians involved in the application of optics to biotechnology, medicine, and surgery. Clinical translation and technology commercialization are major areas of emphasis. By focusing on some of the most topical directions, this conference provides a forum for researchers of our field to access our most important progress and to chart course for future research through formal and informal discussions. Through providing ample time for informal networking, the conference facilitates positive interactions among trainees, junior investigators, and established experts. This interaction is vital to cultivate the next generation of scientists and engineers in biomedical optics. The proposed conference will be a continuation of meetings on this topic sponsored by Engineering Conferences International for more than 24 years.

Technical sessions are being planned on the following topics:

• Women’s Health 
• Surgical Guidance and Endoscopy
• Neurophotonics
• Photo/Opto-acoustics
• Wavefront Shaping
• Light Sheet Microscopy
• Early disease Detection
• Proteomics
• Machine Learning in Optics
• Nonlinear Microscopy 

Conference Organization

Conference Co-Chairs

Confirmed Speakers

Kevin Dean, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, USA

Puxiang Lai, Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Irina Larina, Baylor College of Medicine, USA

Kristin Myers, Columbia University, USA

YoungKeun (Paul) Park, Korea Advanced Institute of Science & Technology

Lingyan Shi, University of California, San Diego, USA

Leonid (Leo) Shmuylovich, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, USA

Danail Stoyanov, University College London, UK

Sixian You, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA

Confirmed Session Chairs

Nicholas Durr,  Johns Hopkins University, USA

Kevin Eliceiri, University of Wisconsin, USA

Mark Niedre, Northeastern University, USA

Jessica Ramella-Roman, Florida International University, USA

Kevin Tsia, University of Hong Kong

Abstract Submissions

One-page abstracts should be submitted as soon as possible and no later than the deadlines noted below. The abstract should include both the significance of the research as well as results that will be discussed in order to allow a scientific assessment of the work by the organizers.

Please indicate the most relevant session topic for which you are submitting your abstract and whether the abstract should be considered for an oral or poster presentation.

Only a limited number of oral presentation slots are available. Thus, all submissions for oral sessions will be considered for both oral and poster presentation.

Deadlines

Deadline for abstracts for oral presentations:  November 15, 2024
Poster abstract due date: December 15, 2024

Please prepare your abstract according to this template: docx or doc.

All abstracts should be submitted electronically.

Sponsor Packages

Bronze $1,000 

• Name of Company on Sponsor List in Program 
• Company Logo displayed on screen between sessions 

Silver $2,000 

• Name of Company on Sponsor List in Program 
• Company Logo displayed on screen between sessions 
• Half-page ad in digital program 
• Company logo and link on conference website 

Gold $3,000 

• Name of Company on Sponsor List in Program 
• Company Logo displayed on screen between sessions 
• Full page ad in digital program 
• Company logo and link on conference website 

Platinum $5,000

• Name of Company on Sponsor List in Program 
• Company Logo displayed on screen between sessions 
• Full page ad in digital program 
• Company logo and link on conference website 
• Sponsor a scientific session with oral introduction 
• Company information packet available in attendees’ registration materials 

ECI Associate Director Kevin Korpics (kevin@engconfintl.org) may be contacted for invoicing and other  questions.  

Please note that none of the sponsor packages include any free or discounted registrations  for attendees from sponsor companies.

Conference Venue

Maryborough Hotel and Spa

The conference will be held at the Maryborough Hotel and Spa in Cork, Ireland. Just a 10-minute taxi ride from both Cork City Center and the Cork International Airport, the hotel is surrounded 18 acres of 300-year-old listed gardens and woodland and provides a serene setting for conferences. The hotel has a restaurant, bar, pool, full-service spa and fitness center.  The hotel’s 93 rooms have all been recently renovated,  and many have verandas and balconies overlooking the gardens. Bedrooms feature flat screen televisions, tea and coffee facilities, and safes. There is also a Spa and Health Club. 

The conference sessions will be held in the Sherrard Ballroom, which will provide ample space for both technical and poster sessions. Complimentary high-speed wifi is available throughout the property, including the meeting rooms. The Douglas Golf Club is just a six-minute walk from the hotel and the town of Douglas, with many shops, pubs and restaurants, is a 10-minute walk away.

Cork, Ireland

Known as the food capital of Ireland, Cork is rich in history and features a number of art galleries, theaters and museums. In 2005, Cork was designated the European Capital of Culture and it was recognized as one of Lonely Planet’s top 10 cities in the world to visit in 2010. Located in the Southeast of Ireland, Cork City serves as the shopping and commercial capital of the south.

The city dates back to the sixth century, when St. Finbar founded a monastic settlement there. Around 915, Viking settlers established a trading community. By the 12th century the settlement had become the chief city of the Kingdom of South Munster, having survived raids and sporadic settlement by Norsemen. Irish rule was short-lived, and by 1185 Cork was under English rule. Thereafter it changed hands regularly during the relentless struggle between Irish and Crown forces. Tourist information is available here. 

The city centre is built on an island in the River Lee, just upstream of Cork Harbour. The two channels of the River Lee which embrace the city centre are spanned by many bridges, and this gives the city a distinctive continental air. 

The city is easily walkable, and popular attractions include ringing the Shandon Bells in the 300-year-old tower of St. Anne’s Church, and visiting the French Gothic spires of St. Finbarre’s Cathedral. There are many unique shopping and dining options, including the famous English Market, with its stalls selling foods from all over the world.

At every corner you’ll come across another panoramic view, another interesting architectural feature and some of the best art galleries, theatres and museums in Ireland. Visit here for more details.

The city is home to University College Cork, established in 1845 as one of three Queen’s Colleges – at Cork, Galway and Belfast. These new colleges were established in the reign of Queen Victoria, and named after her. 

The famous Blarney Castle, home to the Blarney Stone, is just twenty minutes drive from the city center.  West Cork, nicknamed “A Place Apart”, offers a break from the speed of the city.  Nature sets the pace in this beautiful south west corner of Ireland – stretching from Kinsale  on the south coast to three rugged westerly peninsulas reaching into the wild Atlantic: Mizen Head, Sheep’s Head and Beara.

More information can be found on the Cork Tourism web site and the Discover Ireland Cork Guide.

Transportation

Directions to Maryborough Hotel from Cork Airport:

The hotel is located approximately 10 minutes away from Cork airport by car or taxi.

• Travel down Airport Hill
• At Airport Road roundabout, take first exit onto Farmers Cross N27
• Follow N27 to Kinsale roundabout
• Take 4th exit onto South Ring road  – N25 East
• Once on N25, take 2nd exit for Douglas, ignoring 1st exit marked for Douglas West
• At the traffic lights, turn right
• At the roundabout, take 2nd exit traveling straight ahead
• At the traffic lights, drive straight on, until you reach a second roundabout
• Take 3rd exit off roundabout (Douglas Golf Club on directional fingerpost)
• This is Maryborough Hill; the hotel is situated up the hill on the left hand side

Directions from other Airports

From Shannon Airport, Ireland to The Maryborough Hotel & Spa
Time: 1 hour 45 mins Distance: 128 km
Click here for directions

From Kerry Airport to The Maryborough Hotel & Spa
Time: 1 hour 30 mins Distance: 104 km
Click here for directions

From Dublin Airport to The Maryborough Hotel & Spa
Time: 2 hours 30 mins Distance: 263 km
Click here for directions

Train Service 

Train service is widely available between cities in Ireland. For complete details, schedules and fares, visit Irish Rail. Direct trains run from Dublin Heuston Station to Cork (Kent). The trip from Dublin to Cork takes about 2 ½ hours. Dublin Heuston Station can be reached from Dublin Airport via a bus connection outside the terminal or by taxi (15-25 minutes depending on traffic).

Bus ServiceBus service is also widely available. Buses run directly from Dublin Airport and Shannon Airport to Cork City. The journey takes about three hours. Bus service is recommended for transfers between Shannon and Cork City as there are no direct trains. The trip takes about 2 ½ hours. For fares and schedules visit http://www.buseireann.ie/

General Information About ECI

Engineering Conferences International (ECI) is a not-for-profit, global engineering conferences program, originally established in 1962 that provides opportunities for the exploration of problems and issues of concern to engineers and scientists from many disciplines.

The format of the conference provides morning and late afternoon or evening sessions in which major presentations are made. Poster sessions will be scheduled for evening discussion as well. Available time is included during the afternoons for ad hoc meetings, informal discussions, and/or recreation. This format is designed to enhance rapport among participants and promote dialogue on the development of the meeting. We believe the conferences have been instrumental in generating ideas and disseminating information to a greater extent than is possible through more conventional forums.

All participants are expected both to attend the entire conference and to contribute actively to the discussions. The recording/photographing of lectures and presentations is forbidden. As ECI conferences take place in an informal atmosphere, casual clothing is the usual attire.

Smoking is prohibited at ECI conferences and conference functions.