Shivam Shukla is a postdoctoral researcher at Florida International University. He develops portable, near-infrared tools for monitoring oxygen levels in tissue, with the goal of improving early detection and treatment of diabetic foot ulcers. In this Postdoc Portrait, he shares how an early interest in lasers grew into a passion for creating positive impacts in healthcare accessibility.
Q | How did you first get interested in science?
My fascination with science began in 10th grade, sparked by the fundamental laws of physics and their real-world applications. During my undergraduate studies at Delhi University, I was particularly inspired by atomic transitions while studying lasers and their diverse applications in research. I was pretty sure that if I were to pursue research in the future, it would involve working with lasers.
Later, during my master’s of technology program at the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, I discovered biophotonics, a field that combines physics and biology to tackle real-world medical problems. The idea that light could be used to study and improve human health completely transformed how I viewed science. This excitement inspired my PhD research and continues to drive my work today, as I develop technologies aimed at making healthcare more accessible and effective.
Q | Tell us about your favorite research project you’re working on.
In the Optical Imaging Laboratory (OIL) at Florida International University, I am working on multiple projects involving near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS), thermal imaging, and autofluorescence imaging. My favorite project focuses on studying how changes in temperature, used as a stimulus, affect tissue oxygenation using NIRS. By analyzing these vascular responses, we aim to develop a non-invasive method to assess the wound healing or non-healing status of diabetic foot ulcers, which could ultimately help clinicians make earlier and more informed decisions for patient care.
Q | What has been the most exciting part of your scientific journey so far?
The most exciting part has been discovering the hidden potential of smartphones, a device most people consider non-scientific. It took me several months to adapt a smartphone into a spectrometer for a cervical cancer screening project, and that success completely changed how I viewed everyday technology. In my current lab, we use a smartphone oxygenation tool (SPOT) to measure how oxygen levels change in tissue, helping us assess health in a non-invasive way. Being able to turn a common device into a powerful tool for healthcare has been one of the most thrilling and inspiring experiences of my career.
Q | If you could be a laboratory instrument, which one would you be and why?
I would be a spectrometer—small, unassuming, but capable of revealing hidden details that no one can see with the naked eye. During my PhD, I turned a smartphone into a spectrometer and was thrilled by how it could capture the spectral response of tissue, showing subtle changes in light across different wavelengths. I love that it takes seemingly ordinary light and turns it into meaningful information—just like a good team turns individual efforts into groundbreaking discoveries.
Responses have been edited for length and clarity.
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