ALMS Lab Team
Please note that all e-mail inquiries concerning facility use and training should be directed to: alms@cnsi.ucla.edu
Laurent A. Bentolila, Ph.D.
Scientific Director
(310) 983-1076
Dr. Bentolila is Director of the Advanced Light Microscopy/Spectroscopy Laboratory, the Macro-Scale Imaging Laboratory, the Leica Microsystems Center of Excellence, and a Senior Research Scientist at the California NanoSystems Institute, CNSI, at UCLA. Dr. Bentolila’s long-standing research interest focuses on the application of nanotechnology and advanced light microscopy techniques to biology and medicine. Towards this goal, Dr. Bentolila has developed novel fluorescent probes and assembled a unique collection of custom-built and commercial optical microscopes used for the study of macromolecules, cellular dynamics, and nanoscale characterization of biomaterials. Since joining UCLA in 2002, he has received continuous federal and institutional funding to develop multi-disciplinary research programs and support a state-of-the-art optical microscopy Technology Center that fosters innovation across disciplines and facilitate university collaborations with industry. Dr. Bentolila is the recipient of several awards including the European Molecular Biology Organization and the Burroughs Welcome Fund.
Haley L. Marks, Ph.D.
Project Scientist
Dr. Haley L. Marks, Ph.D. is a biomedical engineer with interests in nano-biosensor research, translational medicine, and optics education. She has expertise in developing novel reporter dyes, nanoparticles, and has extensive experience working with spectroscopy/microscopy instrumentation, 3D printing, and developing microfluidic and lateral flow assay platforms. Since joining CNSI in 2022, Haley has served as a technical expert, providing advanced light microscopy training and services to ALMS users. She works developing and optimizing ALMS’s existing super-resolution and high-speed optical methods, developing strategies and imaging tools for in vivo imaging, and optimizing and disseminating computational imaging techniques. Haley was a recipient of the Whitaker International Fellowship and of the SPIE Franz Hillenkamp Fellowship.
JinYoung “Brian” Jeong
Research & Development Engineer
(310) 206-1755
JinYoung “Brian” Jeong has joined the California NanoSystems Institute as a Research & Development Engineer at Advanced Light Microscopy/Spectroscopy (ALMS). He studied biophysics at UCLA and worked as an engineer at its mechanical and aerospace department. His research combines an interdisciplinary background, engineering experience, and computer proficiency to develop tools and models for understanding or improving human health. At ALMS, he is prototyping microscope modalities that push spatial and temporal limits, and creating solutions for collaboration experiments. He will also be training and assisting users on the core facility microscopes and equipment.