Optocoulombics Lab

People

The researchers behind the Optocoulombics Lab — bridging optics, electrochemistry, and life sciences.

Principal Investigator
Sidahmed Abayzeed

Sidahmed Abayzeed

—  Principal Investigator · Optocoulombics Lab

Assistant Professor of Bioengineering at the University of Nottingham. Established the UK’s first laboratory dedicated to imaging charge dynamics using label-free optical approaches in 2019, developing innovative methodologies that bridge engineering, optics, and life sciences.

View full profile →
PhD Researchers
Karen Regules-Medel

Karen Regules-Medel

PhD Researcher

BSc and MSc in Applied Physics from Universidad Autónoma de Puebla, Mexico. Her CONACYT-funded PhD focuses on developing optical and electrochemical approaches to understand charge dynamics in electrical double-layer capacitors applied to enhanced sensing of bioelectric signalling.

Electrochemistry Plasmonics Electrophysiology Computational voltage sensing
Finlay Nelson

Finlay Nelson

PhD Researcher

MEng in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Glasgow (2020). His PhD, funded by the Faculty of Engineering UoN, develops novel impedance micro-spectroscopy techniques for label-free imaging and characterisation of electrical properties of living cells.

Impedance Spectroscopy Plasmonics Precision optical systems Nano fabrication
Oscar Barajas González

Oscar Barajas González

PhD Researcher

BSc in Mechatronics from Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, MSc in Bioengineering from Nottingham. His CONACYT-funded PhD explores voltage microscopy for imaging neuronal signaling.

Experimental voltage sensing Ultra-low noise measurements
George Wadsworth

George Wadsworth

PhD Researcher

MSci in Neuroscience with First Class Honours from Nottingham, including a placement year at the University of Adelaide. His PhD (main supervisor: Dr Kevin Webb) focuses on advanced cell imaging and tissue characterisation using impedance micro-spectroscopy.

Neuroscience Impedance Spectroscopy Live cell imaging
Tom Brophy

Tom Brophy

PhD Researcher

MSc in Biomedical Research from Bristol (2023), BSc in Physics with Space Science from Leicester. His doctoral research (main supervisor: Prof Melissa Mather) focuses on quantum sensors using Nitrogen-Vacancy centres in diamond integrated with plasmonic technologies for real-time detection of bioelectrical activity.

Quantum Sensing Diamond NV Centres Plasmonics Advanced Microscopy
Past Members

Andrea Faúndez Quezada

2023–2024
Research Assistant

MSc Bioengineering, University of Nottingham. Funded by EPSRC New Horizons, Andrea developed deep learning for signal processing in plasmonic bioelectric sensing. Best MSc student award (Bioengineering MSc 2023).

Will Hardiman

2023–2025
Postdoctoral Fellow

PhD Biomedical Imaging, Oxford/Nottingham CDT. Funded by EPSRC New Horizons, Will has developed optical trapping and electrostatic charge and force sensing.