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Mihaela Balu

Title(s)Associate Professor, Dermatology
SchoolSchool of Medicine
Address1001 Health Sciences Road
Irvine CA 92697-3950
Phone(949) 824-4713
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    Collapse Research 
    Collapse research activities and funding
    In vivo label free optical imaging of immune cells in human skin
    NIH R21AR082648Mar 1, 2023 - Dec 31, 2024
    Role: Principal Investigator
    Fast, large area, multiphoton exoscope (FLAME) for improving early detection of melanoma
    NIH R01CA259019Sep 1, 2022 - Aug 31, 2027
    Role: Principal Investigator
    Development of a fast scanning, extended field-of-view multiphoton microscope for clinical skin imaging
    NIH R01EB026705Jul 1, 2018 - Mar 31, 2027
    Role: Principal Investigator
    Quantitative multiphoton microscopy for non-invasive diagnosis of melanoma
    NIH R01CA195466Mar 1, 2016 - Feb 29, 2020
    Role: Co-Principal Investigator
    Collapse Clinical Trials

    Collapse Bibliographic 
    Collapse publications
    Publications listed below are automatically derived from MEDLINE/PubMed and other sources, which might result in incorrect or missing publications. Researchers can login to make corrections and additions, or contact us for help. to make corrections and additions.
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    Altmetrics Details PMC Citations indicate the number of times the publication was cited by articles in PubMed Central, and the Altmetric score represents citations in news articles and social media. (Note that publications are often cited in additional ways that are not shown here.) Fields are based on how the National Library of Medicine (NLM) classifies the publication's journal and might not represent the specific topic of the publication. Translation tags are based on the publication type and the MeSH terms NLM assigns to the publication. Some publications (especially newer ones and publications not in PubMed) might not yet be assigned Field or Translation tags.) Click a Field or Translation tag to filter the publications.
    1. Label-free human skin imaging with enhanced molecular contrast via time-resolved fluorescence and advanced phasor analysis. Commun Biol. 2025 Dec 30; 9(1):149. Ranjit S, Torrado B, Vallmitjana A, Durkin AF, Dvornikov A, Ganesan A, Kelly KM, Balu M. PMID: 41469503; PMCID: PMC12868790.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: Translation:Humans
    2. In vivo human skin imaging: Distinguishing cellular and fibrillar components with fluorescence lifetime microscopy. J Invest Dermatol. 2026 May; 146(5):1434-1438.e2. Torrado B, Vallmitjana A, Ranjit S, Far-Hadian M, Durkin AF, Dvornikov A, Ganesan AK, Kelly KM, Chang P, Balu M. PMID: 41265830; PMCID: PMC12991815.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions:    Fields:    
    3. Consensus guidelines for cellular label-free optical metabolic imaging: ensuring accuracy and reproducibility in metabolic profiling. J Biomed Opt. 2025 Feb; 30(Suppl 2):S23901. Georgakoudi I, Skala MC, Quinn KP, Stringari C, Sorrells JE, Heikal AA, Li LZ, Xu HN, You S, Walsh AJ, Datta R, Samimi K, Gillette AA, Eliceiri KW, Balu M, Boppart SA, Digman MA, Dunning KR, Evans CL, Garcia AA, Houston JP, Hwang W, Lindley MM, Li X, Liu Z, Marcu L, Murugkar S, Nichols MG, Niesner R, Parekh SH, Rajaram N, Ranjit S, Shen K, Shi L, Torrado B, Vallmitjana A, Wang-Evers M, Zemp R. PMID: 41230436; PMCID: PMC12604823.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 1     Fields:    Translation:HumansAnimalsCells
    4. Label-free multiphoton microscopy of human skin: longitudinal studies capturing cell dynamics. Biomed Opt Express. 2025 Oct 01; 16(10):3912-3922. Vallmitjana A, Durkin A, Dvornikov A, Torrado B, Kelly KM, Shiu J, Ganesan AK, Balu M. PMID: 41112782; PMCID: PMC12532326.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 2  
    5. GSLab: open-source platform for advanced phasor analysis in fluorescence microscopy. Bioinformatics. 2025 Mar 29; 41(4). Vallmitjana A, Torrado B, Durkin AF, Dvornikov A, Rajil N, Ranjit S, Balu M. PMID: 40233242; PMCID: PMC12034383.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 5     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    6. GSLab: Open-Source Platform for Advanced Phasor Analysis in Fluorescence Microscopy. bioRxiv. 2025 Feb 15. Vallmitjana A, Torrado B, Durkin AF, Dvornikov A, Rajil N, Ranjit S, Balu M. PMID: 39990344; PMCID: PMC11844366.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions:
    7. Meeting Highlights The 4th Marie Skłodowska-Curie Symposium on cancer research and care: Mechanisms of support for regional & international collaborations. Wiad Lek. 2025; 78(2):232-247. Kalinski P, Kokolus KM, Ahluwalia I, Balu M, Balwicki L, Baran B, Beine L, Berezin M, Berindan-Neagoe I, Beznosenko A, Borowiec B, Bozsányi S, Bramson J, Czerniecki B, Everatt R, Fendler W, Forsyth P, Gershenwald JE, Goniewicz M, Guru K, Hyland A, James S, Kirac I, Koczkodaj P, Kotula L, Luba M, Lugowska I, Luke E, Lungulescu C, Matosevic S, Nanavati K, Nemeth M, Nowak K, Noyes K, Parascandola M, Priebe W, Rutkowski P, Seshadri M, Sheffer CE, Stanciu IM, Stanson J, Stewart T, Sužiedeliene E, Sužiedelis K, Tanasiichuk I, Vlad AM, Wei WZ, Williams D, Wojtowicz M, Zdrojewski T. PMID: 40125737; PMCID: PMC12549008.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions:    Fields:    Translation:Humans
    8. Collagen remodeling in murine melanoma therapy response through second-harmonic generation imaging. Biophotonics Discov. 2024 Oct; 1(3):030501. Balu M. PMID: 42040218; PMCID: PMC13107250.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions:
    9. Intradermal Delivery of Calcium Hydroxylapatite With Fractionated Ablation. Lasers Surg Med. 2025 Jan; 57(1):46-53. Driscoll W, Golbari NM, Vallmitjana A, Durkin AF, Balu M, Zachary CB. PMID: 39160686.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 1     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    10. Noninvasive Imaging Techniques for Monitoring Cellular Response to Treatment in Stable Vitiligo. J Invest Dermatol. 2024 04; 144(4):912-915.e2. Shiu J, Lentsch G, Polleys CM, Mobasher P, Ericson M, Georgakoudi I, Ganesan AK, Balu M. PMID: 37952609; PMCID: PMC11081004.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 4     Fields:    Translation:HumansCells
    11. Non-invasive Imaging Techniques for Monitoring Cellular Response to Treatment in Stable Vitiligo. bioRxiv. 2023 Aug 17. Shiu J, Lentsch G, Polleys CM, Mobasher P, Ericson M, Georgakoudi I, Ganesan AK, Balu M. PMID: 37645823; PMCID: PMC10462045.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions:
    12. Multimodal analyses of vitiligo skin identify tissue characteristics of stable disease. JCI Insight. 2022 07 08; 7(13). Shiu J, Zhang L, Lentsch G, Flesher JL, Jin S, Polleys C, Jo SJ, Mizzoni C, Mobasher P, Kwan J, Rius-Diaz F, Tromberg BJ, Georgakoudi I, Nie Q, Balu M, Ganesan AK. PMID: 35653192; PMCID: PMC9310536.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 23     Fields:    Translation:HumansCells
    13. In vivo imaging with a fast large-area multiphoton exoscope (FLAME) captures the melanin distribution heterogeneity in human skin. Sci Rep. 2022 05 16; 12(1):8106. Vicente JR, Durkin A, Shrestha K, Balu M. PMID: 35577848; PMCID: PMC9110384.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 7     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    14. Research Techniques Made Simple: Emerging Imaging Technologies for Noninvasive Optical Biopsy of Human Skin. J Invest Dermatol. 2022 05; 142(5):1243-1252.e1. Lentsch G, Baugh EG, Lee B, Aszterbaum M, Zachary CB, Kelly KM, Balu M. PMID: 35461534; PMCID: PMC9802025.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 17     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    15. Deep Learning-Assisted Multiphoton Microscopy to Reduce Light Exposure and Expedite Imaging in Tissues With High and Low Light Sensitivity. Transl Vis Sci Technol. 2021 10 04; 10(12):30. McAleer S, Fast A, Xue Y, Seiler MJ, Tang WC, Balu M, Baldi P, Browne AW. PMID: 34668935; PMCID: PMC8543395.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 7     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    16. Rapid chemically selective 3D imaging in the mid-infrared. Optica. 2021 Jul 20; 8(7):995-1002. Potma EO, Knez D, Chen Y, Davydova Y, Durkin A, Fast A, Balu M, Norton-Baker B, Martin RW, Baldacchini T, Fishman DA. PMID: 35233439; PMCID: PMC8884451.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 4  
    17. A Clinical Perspective on the Automated Analysis of Reflectance Confocal Microscopy in Dermatology. Lasers Surg Med. 2021 10; 53(8):1011-1019. Mehrabi JN, Baugh EG, Fast A, Lentsch G, Balu M, Lee BA, Kelly KM. PMID: 33476062; PMCID: PMC12551406.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 6     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    18. Fast, large area multiphoton exoscope (FLAME) for macroscopic imaging with microscopic resolution of human skin. Sci Rep. 2020 10 22; 10(1):18093. Fast A, Lal A, Durkin AF, Lentsch G, Harris RM, Zachary CB, Ganesan AK, Balu M. PMID: 33093610; PMCID: PMC7582965.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 22     Fields:    Translation:HumansCells
    19. Non-invasive optical biopsy by multiphoton microscopy identifies the live morphology of common melanocytic nevi. Pigment Cell Melanoma Res. 2020 11; 33(6):869-877. Lentsch G, Valdebran M, Saknite I, Smith J, Linden KG, König K, Barr RJ, Harris RM, Tromberg BJ, Ganesan AK, Zachary CB, Kelly KM, Balu M. PMID: 32485062; PMCID: PMC7687135.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 10     Fields:    Translation:HumansCells
    20. In vivo multiphoton microscopy of melasma. Pigment Cell Melanoma Res. 2019 05; 32(3):403-411. Lentsch G, Balu M, Williams J, Lee S, Harris RM, König K, Ganesan A, Tromberg BJ, Nair N, Santhanam U, Misra M. PMID: 30506627; PMCID: PMC6483848.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 17     Fields:    Translation:HumansCells
    21. In vivo multiphoton microscopy of scabies. JAAD Case Rep. 2018 Nov; 4(10):985-987. Lentsch G, Balu M, Koenig K, Tromberg BJ, Zachary CB, Smith J. PMID: 30417058; PMCID: PMC6218693.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 1  
    22. Feature characterization of scarring and non-scarring types of alopecia by multiphoton microscopy. Lasers Surg Med. 2019 01; 51(1):95-103. Lin J, Saknite I, Valdebran M, Balu M, Lentsch G, Williams JN, Koenig K, Tromberg BJ, Atanaskova Mesinkovska N. PMID: 30248187; PMCID: PMC6428213.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 18     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    23. Noninvasive assessment of skin structure by combined photothermal radiometry and optical spectroscopy: coregistration with multiphoton microscopy. Appl Opt. 2018 Jun 20; 57(18):D117-D122. Verdel N, Lentsch G, Balu M, Tromberg BJ, Majaron B. PMID: 30117930; PMCID: PMC6110098.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 6     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    24. Multizentrische Retikulohistiozytose in lichtexponierten Arealen: Korrelation mit Multiphotonenmikroskopie-Bildgebung. J Dtsch Dermatol Ges. 2018 Jun; 16(6):781-783. Amber KT, Valdebran M, Makdisi J, De Feraudy S, Balu M, Kelly KM. PMID: 29873900.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions:    Fields:    
    25. A case of photodistributed multicentric reticulohistiocytosis: correlation with multiphoton microscopy imaging. J Dtsch Dermatol Ges. 2018 Jun; 16(6):781-783. Amber KT, Valdebran M, Makdisi J, De Feraudy S, Balu M, Kelly KM. PMID: 29697904; PMCID: PMC6140325.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions:    Fields:    Translation:Humans
    26. In vivo multiphoton-microscopy of picosecond-laser-induced optical breakdown in human skin. Lasers Surg Med. 2017 08; 49(6):555-562. Balu M, Lentsch G, Korta DZ, König K, Kelly KM, Tromberg BJ, Zachary CB. PMID: 28333369; PMCID: PMC5513776.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 28     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    27. Imaging mitochondrial dynamics in human skin reveals depth-dependent hypoxia and malignant potential for diagnosis. Sci Transl Med. 2016 11 30; 8(367):367ra169. Pouli D, Balu M, Alonzo CA, Liu Z, Quinn KP, Rius-Diaz F, Harris RM, Kelly KM, Tromberg BJ, Georgakoudi I. PMID: 27903865; PMCID: PMC5176339.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 58     Fields:    Translation:HumansCells
    28. Rapid mesoscale multiphoton microscopy of human skin. Biomed Opt Express. 2016 Nov 01; 7(11):4375-4387. Balu M, Mikami H, Hou J, Potma EO, Tromberg BJ. PMID: 27895980; PMCID: PMC5119580.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 18  
    29. In Vivo Multiphoton Microscopy of Basal Cell Carcinoma. JAMA Dermatol. 2015 Oct; 151(10):1068-74. Balu M, Zachary CB, Harris RM, Krasieva TB, König K, Tromberg BJ, Kelly KM. PMID: 25909650; PMCID: PMC4607557.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 59     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    30. In vivo measurements of cutaneous melanin across spatial scales: using multiphoton microscopy and spatial frequency domain spectroscopy. J Biomed Opt. 2015 Jun; 20(6):066005. Saager RB, Balu M, Crosignani V, Sharif A, Durkin AJ, Kelly KM, Tromberg BJ. PMID: 26065839; PMCID: PMC4463032.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 38     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    31. Sub-40 fs, 1060-nm Yb-fiber laser enhances penetration depth in nonlinear optical microscopy of human skin. J Biomed Opt. 2015; 20(12):120501. Balu M, Saytashev I, Hou J, Dantus M, Tromberg BJ. PMID: 26641198; PMCID: PMC4671301.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 11     Fields:    Translation:HumansCells
    32. Distinguishing between benign and malignant melanocytic nevi by in vivo multiphoton microscopy. Cancer Res. 2014 May 15; 74(10):2688-97. Balu M, Kelly KM, Zachary CB, Harris RM, Krasieva TB, König K, Durkin AJ, Tromberg BJ. PMID: 24686168; PMCID: PMC4024350.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 62     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    33. Achromatic miniature lens system for coherent Raman scattering microscopy. Biomed Opt Express. 2013; 4(10):2196-206. Mittal R, Balu M, Wilder-Smith P, Potma EO. PMID: 24156075; PMCID: PMC3799677.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 3  
    34. Evaluation of stimulated Raman scattering microscopy for identifying squamous cell carcinoma in human skin. Lasers Surg Med. 2013 Oct; 45(8):496-502. Mittal R, Balu M, Krasieva T, Potma EO, Elkeeb L, Zachary CB, Wilder-Smith P. PMID: 23996592; PMCID: PMC3963481.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 13     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    35. Two-photon excited fluorescence lifetime imaging and spectroscopy of melanins in vitro and in vivo. J Biomed Opt. 2013 Mar; 18(3):31107. Krasieva TB, Stringari C, Liu F, Sun CH, Kong Y, Balu M, Meyskens FL, Gratton E, Tromberg BJ. PMID: 23235925; PMCID: PMC3595716.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 27     Fields:    Translation:HumansCells
    36. In vivo multiphoton NADH fluorescence reveals depth-dependent keratinocyte metabolism in human skin. Biophys J. 2013 Jan 08; 104(1):258-67. Balu M, Mazhar A, Hayakawa CK, Mittal R, Krasieva TB, König K, Venugopalan V, Tromberg BJ. PMID: 23332078; PMCID: PMC3540245.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 52     Fields:    Translation:HumansCellsCTClinical Trials
    37. Fiber delivered probe for efficient CARS imaging of tissues. Opt Express. 2010 Feb 01; 18(3):2380-8. Balu M, Liu G, Chen Z, Tromberg BJ, Potma EO. PMID: 20174068; PMCID: PMC3014314.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 33     Fields:    Translation:Animals
    38. Effect of excitation wavelength on penetration depth in nonlinear optical microscopy of turbid media. J Biomed Opt. 2009 Jan-Feb; 14(1):010508. Balu M, Baldacchini T, Carter J, Krasieva TB, Zadoyan R, Tromberg BJ. PMID: 19256688; PMCID: PMC2868513.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 35     Fields:    
    39. Dispersion of nonlinear refraction and two-photon absorption using a white-light continuum Z-scan. Opt Express. 2005 May 16; 13(10):3594-9. Balu M, Hales J, Hagan D, Van Stryland E. PMID: 19495265.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 1     Fields:    
    40. Three- and four-photon absorption of a multiphoton absorbing fluorescent probe. Appl Opt. 2004 Oct 01; 43(28):5394-8. Hernández FE, Belfield KD, Cohanoschi I, Balu M, Schafer KJ. PMID: 15495431.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 7     Fields:    Translation:Cells
    41. White-light continuum Z-scan technique for nonlinear materials characterization. Opt Express. 2004 Aug 09; 12(16):3820-6. Balu M, Hales J, Hagan D, Van Stryland E. PMID: 19483914.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 3     Fields:    
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