- BS, 2018 - Neuroscience and Cognitive Science (NSCS), Molecular and Cellular Biology - University of Arizona
- MS, 2022 - Optical Sciences - University of Arizona
- PhD, 2024 - Optical Sciences - University of Arizona
Novel biosensing approaches are essential to the improvement and advancement of health and medicine. Many diseases have unique biomarkers that can be used to diagnose, guide treatment, and monitor treatment progress for the disease. In addition, biosensing for infectious diseases is essential for mitigating the impact of pandemics like the COVID-19 pandemic. To this end, lens-free holographic microscopy (LFHM) has emerged in recent years as a novel biosensing platform for a variety of targets and diseases. In his thesis, Colin developed a novel LFHM-based biosensor to diagnose COVID-19 in response to the pandemic. Additionally, he explored deep learning algorithms to improve the sensor’s performance in real-world and point-of-care conditions. He performed an analysis of a variety of these deep learning approaches, which were investigated and characterized, providing an in-depth resource for construction, fine-tuning, and debugging of similar deep learning algorithms. Finally, he constructed a second novel LFHM device that utilizes polarization and localized surface plasmon resonance of gold nanorods to detect single rods. This device was then used to image thousands of rods simultaneously. This work provides a strong foundation for the use of this LFHM-based biosensor in the field for clinical diagnostic procedures, and represents an advancement in the field of LFHM imaging.
Colin Potter joined the UA MSTP in 2018 to pursue his MD and PhD in Optical Sciences after recieving a BS in Neuroscience and Cognitive Science and in Molecular and Cellular Biology from UA. In undergraduate school, he completed his Honors Thesis with Dr. Anita Koshy studying the interaction of Toxoplasma gondii, and obligate intracellular partasite, with the central nervous systems of mice. Unexpectedly, these experiences sparked Colin's curiosity for engineering and optics more than for biological and biomedical research, and led to him pursue his PhD in Optical Sciences. Widely considered to be one of the best Optics programs in the world, UA was the ideal place for Colin to continue his education and has enabled him to build his experience in this new field from the ground up. His doctoral thesis research centered around the development and implementation novel biosensors for detecting biomarkers of disease. Colin's current goals are to increase the breadth and depth of his knowledge in Biology, Medicine, Physics, Engineering, Computer Science, and Optics so that he is poised to introduce meaningful and transformative inventions and technological innovations to healthcare. The pursuit of this knowledge and expertise has enabled Colin recieve both his MS and PhD in Optical Sciences. Colin is looking forward to completing the rest of his program and starting his career as a physican scientist and engineer.
- 2023-2024 ARCS Scholar
- NIH T32: Arizona Translational Research in Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias (T32AG061897). 2020-2021.
Publications:
- Potter, C. J.; Sreevatsan, S.; McLeod, E. Deep learning optimization for small object classification in lensfree holographic microscopy. Optics Express 2024. https://doi.org/10.1364/OE.527353
- Potter, C. J.; Xiong, Z.; McLeod, E. Clinical and Biomedical Applications of Lensless Holographic Microscopy. Laser and Photonics Reviews 2024. https://doi.org/10.1002/lpor.202400197
- Rocha, A. D.; Drake, W. K.; Rice, P. F.; Long, D. J.; Shir, H.; Walton, R. H.; Reed, M. N.; Galvez, D.; Potter, C. J.; Gorman, T.; Huesinkveld, J. M.; Barton, J. K. Iterative prototyping based on lessons learned from the falloposcope in vivo pilot study experience. Proc. SPIE Endoscopic Microscopy XVIII 2023, 12356 (1235602). https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2647896
- Potter, C. J.; Hu, Y.; Xiong, Z.; Wang, J.; McLeod, E. Point-of-Care SARS-CoV-2 Sensing Using Lens-Free Imaging and a Deep Learning-Assisted Quantitative Agglutination Assay. ChemRxiv 2022, [Preprint]. https://doi.org/10.26434/chemrxiv-2022-dwhvx.
- Xiong, Z.; Potter, C. J.; McLeod, E. High-Speed Lens-Free Holographic Sensing of Protein Molecules Using Quantitative Agglutination Assays. ACS Sens. 2021, 6 (3), 1208–1217. https://doi.org/10.1021/acssensors.0c02481 PMC8259606.
- Potter, C. J.; McLeod, E.; How COVID-19 Diagnostic Tests Work. Nanoscientific 2020, 19, 6-8.
- Mendez, O.A.*; Potter, C.J.*; Valdez, M.; Bello, T; Trouard, T.P.; Koshy, A.A. Semi-automated quantification and neuroanatomical mapping of heterogeneous cell populations. J Neurosci Methods 2018; 305, 98-104. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jneumeth.2018.05.008 PMC6357967. *These authors contributed equally
Conference Papers:
- Potter, C. J. and McLeod, E. Imaging colloidal gold nanorod and microparticle agglutination with lens-free holographic microscopy for biomolecule sensing. SPIE Photonics West BIOS, Conf: Optical Diagnostics and Sensing XXIV: Toward Point-of-Care Diagnostics, 2024. San Francisco, CA.
- McLeod, E.; Potter, C. J.; Hu, Y.; Xiong, Z.; Wang, J. A COVID-19 sensor that combines lens-free microscopy, an agglutination assay, and machine learning. SPIE Defense and Commercial Sensing, 2023. Orlando, FL.
- Potter, C. J.; Hu, Y.; Xiong, Z.; Wang, J.; McLeod, E. Deep learning and lens-free holographic microscopy as a point-of-care assay for SARS-CoV-2. University of Arizona Research Day, 2023. Tucson, AZ.
- Potter, C. J.; Hu, Y.; Xiong, Z.; Wang, J.; McLeod, E. Point-of-care sensing of SARS-CoV-2 using lens free holographic microscopy and deep learning. SPIE Photonics West BIOS, Conf: Optical Diagnostics and Sensing XXIII: Toward Point-of-Care Diagnostics, 2023. San Francisco, CA.
- Rocha, A. D.; Drake, W. K.; Rice, P. F.; Long, D. J.; Shir, H.; Walton, R. H.; Reed, M. N.; Galvez, D.; Potter, C. J.; Gorman, T.; Huesinkveld, J. M.; Barton, J. K. Iterative prototyping based on lessons learned from the falloposcope in vivo pilot study experience. SPIE Photonics West BIOS, Conf: Endoscopic Microscopy XVIII, 2023. San Francisco, CA.
- Potter, C. J.; Xiong, Z.; McLeod, E. Application of Lens-Free Quantitative Agglutination Assay to SARS-CoV-2 Biosensing. University of Arizona Research Day, 2022. Tucson, AZ.
- Potter, C. J.; Xiong, Z.; McLeod, E. Application of Lens-Free Quantitative Large-Area Agglutination Assay to Inflammatory disease and SARS-CoV-2. SPIE Photonics West, 2022. San Francisco, CA.
- Potter, C. J.; Xiong, Z.; McLeod, E. Quantitative Large-Area Agglutination Assay Sensing of Protein Molecules in Solution. Session: Quantitative Phase Imaging and Mechanics. OSA Biophotonics Congress: Optics in the Life Sciences, 2021. Virtual.
Posters:
- Potter, C.J.; Mendez, O.; Koshy, A.A. Defining regional and neural subtype specificity in Toxoplasma gondii infection. Society for Neuroscience Annual Conference; 2017 Nov 15; Washington, DC.
- Potter, C.J.; Mendez, O.; Bello, T.; Valdez, M.; Fernandez, E.; Trouard, T.; Koshy, A.A. Semi-automated quantification of Toxoplasma – CNS host cell interactions. Undergraduate Biology Research Program Annual Conference; 2017 Jan 21; Tucson, AZ.
- Potter, C.J.; Mendez, O.; Bello, T.; Valdez, M.; Fernandez, E.; Trouard, T.; Koshy, A.A. Semi-automated quantification of Toxoplasma – CNS host cell interactions. Society for Neuroscience Annual Conference; 2016 Nov 14; San Diego, CA.
- Potter, C.J.; Mendez, O.; Bello, T.; Valdez, M.; Fernandez, E.; Trouard, T.; Koshy, A.A. Toxoplasma gondii – Neuron Interaction in the Central Nervous System. UA Student Showcase; 2016 Feb 24; Tucson, AZ.
- Potter, C.J.; Mendez, O.; Bello, T.; Valdez, M.; Fernandez, E.; Trouard, T.; Koshy, A.A. Toxoplasma gondii – Neuron Interaction in the Central Nervous System. Undergraduate Biology Research Program Annual Conference; 2016 Jan 23; Tucson, AZ.
- Potter, C.J.; Mendez, O.; Valdez, M.; Fernandez, E.; Trouard, T.; Koshy, A.A. Characterizing the Localization of Toxoplasma gondii Infection in the Central Nervous System. NSCS Summer Research Program Poster Session; 2015 Aug 20; Tucson, AZ.