Shaohua Pi

I lead the Pitt OCT lab that pursues the development of optical coherence tomography (OCT) techniques and their applications in ophthalmology.

  • PhD, Fudan University
  • BS, Fudan University

  • Kong, J., Wang, L., & Pi, S. (2026). Tartrazine-enhanced visible-light OCT for deep-tissue imaging. Biomedical Optics Express, 17(3), 1255.Optica Publishing Group. doi: 10.1364/boe.585266.
  • Dion, W., Tao, Y., Chambers, M., Zhao, S., Arbuckle, R.K., Sun, M., Kubra, S., Schaich, M.A., Nie, Y., Ye, M., Jamal, I., Larsen, M.B., Camarco, D., Ickes, E., Wang, H.H., DuPont, C., Wang, B., Liu, S., Pi, S., Van Houten, B., Chen, B.B., Chen, Y., Chen, X., & Zhu, B. (2025). SON-dependent nuclear speckle rehabilitation alleviates proteinopathies. Nat Commun, 16(1), 7065.Springer Nature. doi: 10.1038/s41467-025-62242-7.
  • Ganjee, R., Wang, B., Wang, L., Zhao, C., Sahel, J.A., & Pi, S. (2024). BreakNet: discontinuity-resilient multi-scale transformer segmentation of retinal layers. Biomed Opt Express, 15(12), 6725-6738.Optica Publishing Group. doi: 10.1364/BOE.538904.
  • Pi, S., Ganjee, R., Wang, L., Arbuckle, R.K., Zhao, C., Sahel, J.A., Wang, B., & Chen, Y. (2024). Fully Automated OCT-based Tissue Screening System. ArXiv, 49(16), 4481-4484.Optica Publishing Group. doi: 10.1364/OL.530281.
  • Wang, B., Arbuckle, R.K., Davoli, K.A., Clinger, O.D., Brown, R., Sahel, J.A., Chen, Y., & Pi, S. (2024). Compensation of inner retina to early-stage photoreceptor degeneration in a RhoP23H/+ mouse model of retinitis pigmentosa. Exp Eye Res, 240, 109826.Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.exer.2024.109826.
  • Wang, B., Ganjee, R., Khandaker, I., Flohr, K., He, Y., Li, G., Wesalo, J., Sahel, J.A., da Silva, S., & Pi, S. (2024). Deep learning based characterization of human organoids using optical coherence tomography. Biomed Opt Express, 15(5), 3112-3127.Optica Publishing Group. doi: 10.1364/BOE.515781.
  • Wang, L., Sahel, J.A., & Pi, S. (2024). Sub2Full: split spectrum to boost optical coherence tomography despeckling without clean data. Opt Lett, 49(11), 3062-3065.Optica Publishing Group. doi: 10.1364/OL.518906.
  • Wang, B., Brown, R., Chhablani, J., & Pi, S. (2023). Volumetrically tracking retinal and choroidal structural changes in central serous chorioretinopathy. bioRxiv, 2023.09.18.557791.Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory. doi: 10.1101/2023.09.18.557791.
  • Wang, B., Brown, R., Chhablani, J., & Pi, S. (2023). Volumetrically tracking retinal and choroidal structural changes in central serous chorioretinopathy. Biomed Opt Express, 14(10), 5528-5538.Optica Publishing Group. doi: 10.1364/BOE.506422.
  • Yam, G.H.F., Pi, S., Du, Y., & Mehta, J.S. (2023). Posterior corneoscleral limbus: Architecture, stem cells, and clinical implications. Prog Retin Eye Res, 96, 101192.Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.preteyeres.2023.101192.
  • Pi, S., Hormel, T.T., Wang, B., Bailey, S.T., Hwang, T.S., Huang, D., Morrison, J.C., & Jia, Y. (2022). Volume-based, layer-independent, disease-agnostic detection of abnormal retinal reflectivity, nonperfusion, and neovascularization using structural and angiographic OCT. Biomed Opt Express, 13(9), 4889-4906.Optica Publishing Group. doi: 10.1364/BOE.469308.
  • Wei, X., Hormel, T.T., Pi, S., Wang, B., Morrison, J.C., & Jia, Y. (2022). Wide-field sensorless adaptive optics swept-source optical coherence tomographic angiography in rodents. Opt Lett, 47(19), 5060-5063.Optica Publishing Group. doi: 10.1364/OL.472387.
  • Pi, S., Hormel, T.T., Wei, X., Cepurna, W., Morrison, J.C., & Jia, Y. (2020). Imaging retinal structures at cellular-level resolution by visible-light optical coherence tomography. Opt Lett, 45(7), 2107-2110.Optica Publishing Group. doi: 10.1364/OL.386454.
  • Pi, S., Hormel, T.T., Wei, X., Cepurna, W., Wang, B., Morrison, J.C., & Jia, Y. (2020). Retinal capillary oximetry with visible light optical coherence tomography. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 117(21), 11658-11666.Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1918546117.
  • You, Q.S., Wang, J., Guo, Y., Pi, S., Flaxel, C.J., Bailey, S.T., Huang, D., Jia, Y., & Hwang, T.S. (2020). Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography Avascular Area Association With 1-Year Treatment Requirement and Disease Progression in Diabetic Retinopathy. Am J Ophthalmol, 217, 268-277.Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.ajo.2020.04.024.
  • Pi, S., Camino, A., Wei, X., Hormel, T.T., Cepurna, W., Morrison, J.C., & Jia, Y. (2019). Automated phase unwrapping in Doppler optical coherence tomography. J Biomed Opt, 24(1), 1-4.SPIE, the international society for optics and photonics. doi: 10.1117/1.JBO.24.1.010502.
  • Pi, S., Hormel, T.T., Wei, X., Cepurna, W., Camino, A., Guo, Y., Huang, D., Morrison, J., & Jia, Y. (2019). Monitoring retinal responses to acute intraocular pressure elevation in rats with visible light optical coherence tomography. Neurophotonics, 6(4), 041104.SPIE, the international society for optics and photonics. doi: 10.1117/1.NPh.6.4.041104.
  • Wang, B., Camino, A., Pi, S., Guo, Y., Wang, J., Huang, D., Hwang, T.S., & Jia, Y. (2019). Three-dimensional structural and angiographic evaluation of foveal ischemia in diabetic retinopathy: method and validation. Biomed Opt Express, 10(7), 3522-3532.Optica Publishing Group. doi: 10.1364/BOE.10.003522.
  • Wei, X., Camino, A., Pi, S., Hormel, T.T., Cepurna, W., Huang, D., Morrison, J.C., & Jia, Y. (2019). Real-time cross-sectional and en face OCT angiography guiding high-quality scan acquisition. Opt Lett, 44(6), 1431-1434.Optica Publishing Group. doi: 10.1364/OL.44.001431.
  • Wei, X., Hormel, T.T., Pi, S., Guo, Y., Jian, Y., & Jia, Y. (2019). High dynamic range optical coherence tomography angiography (HDR-OCTA). Biomed Opt Express, 10(7), 3560-3571.Optica Publishing Group. doi: 10.1364/BOE.10.003560.
  • Pi, S., Camino, A., Cepurna, W., Wei, X., Zhang, M., Huang, D., Morrison, J., & Jia, Y. (2018). Automated spectroscopic retinal oximetry with visible-light optical coherence tomography. Biomed Opt Express, 9(5), 2056-2067.Optica Publishing Group. doi: 10.1364/BOE.9.002056.
  • Pi, S., Camino, A., Wei, X., Simonett, J., Cepurna, W., Huang, D., Morrison, J.C., & Jia, Y. (2018). Rodent retinal circulation organization and oxygen metabolism revealed by visible-light optical coherence tomography. Biomed Opt Express, 9(11), 5851-5862.Optica Publishing Group. doi: 10.1364/BOE.9.005851.
  • Wei, X., Camino, A., Pi, S., Cepurna, W., Huang, D., Morrison, J.C., & Jia, Y. (2018). Fast and robust standard-deviation-based method for bulk motion compensation in phase-based functional OCT. Opt Lett, 43(9), 2204-2207.Optica Publishing Group. doi: 10.1364/OL.43.002204.
  • Pi, S., Camino, A., Zhang, M., Cepurna, W., Liu, G., Huang, D., Morrison, J., & Jia, Y. (2017). Angiographic and structural imaging using high axial resolution fiber-based visible-light OCT. Biomed Opt Express, 8(10), 4595-4608.Optica Publishing Group. doi: 10.1364/BOE.8.004595.
  • Pi, S., Wang, B., Zhao, J., & Sun, Q. (2016). High-spatial-resolution localization algorithm based on cascade deconvolution in a distributed Sagnac interferometer invasion monitoring system. Appl Opt, 55(29), 8180-8184.Optica Publishing Group. doi: 10.1364/AO.55.008180.
  • Pi, S., Zeng, X., Zhang, N., Ji, D., Chen, B., Song, H., Cheney, A., Xu, Y., Jiang, S., Sun, D., Song, Y., & Gan, Q. (2016). Dielectric-Grating-Coupled Surface Plasmon Resonance From the Back Side of the Metal Film for Ultrasensitive Sensing. IEEE PHOTONICS JOURNAL, 8(1).Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). doi: 10.1109/JPHOT.2015.2509870.
  • Pi, S.H., Wang, B.J., Zhao, D., & Jia, B. (2016). Multi-resolution intrusion localization algorithm through cepstrum in distributed fiber optic Sagnac interferometer. ACTA PHYSICA SINICA, 65(4).Acta Physica Sinica, Chinese Physical Society and Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences. doi: 10.7498/aps.65.044210.
  • Zhao, J., Pi, S., Wang, B., & Wu, H. (2016). Harmonic peak locations based on the twice fast Fourier transform algorithm in a Sagnac intrusion sensing system. Appl Opt, 55(10), 2675-2680.Optica Publishing Group. doi: 10.1364/AO.55.002675.
  • Pi, S., Wang, B., Jia, B., Sun, Q., Xiao, Q., & Zhao, D. (2015). Intrusion localization algorithm based on linear spectrum in distributed Sagnac optical fiber sensing system. OPTICAL ENGINEERING, 54(8).SPIE, the international society for optics and photonics. doi: 10.1117/1.OE.54.8.085105.
  • Wang, B., Pi, S., Jia, B., Sun, Q., & Zhao, D. (2015). LOCATION PERFORMANCE FADING FOR MULTIPLE DISTURBANCES IN DISTRIBUTED SAGNAC OPTICAL FIBER INTERFEROMETER. MICROWAVE AND OPTICAL TECHNOLOGY LETTERS, 57(10), 2294-2298.Wiley. doi: 10.1002/mop.29308.
  • Wang, B., Pi, S., Sun, Q., & Jia, B. (2015). Improved wavelet packet classification algorithm for vibrational intrusions in distributed fiber-optic monitoring systems. OPTICAL ENGINEERING, 54(5).SPIE, the international society for optics and photonics. doi: 10.1117/1.OE.54.5.055104.

  • Pi, S., Wang, B., Khandaker, I., Brown, R., Flohr, K., & da Silva, S. (2023). Imaging Human Retinal Organoid with Visible Light OCT. In INVESTIGATIVE OPHTHALMOLOGY & VISUAL SCIENCE, 64(9).
Research Interests
Atomic, molecular and optical physics Ophthalmology and optometry Biomedical engineering Communications engineering Electronics, sensors and digital hardware Electrical engineering
headshot of Shaohua Pi
Contact Shaohua Pi
Assistant Professor
SHAOHUA@pitt.edu
Mobile: 7247194817
Bioengineering Department