# Diversity Supplement for Arlo Marquez

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO DENVER · 2022 · $29,626

## Abstract

Project Summary
 The goal of this project is to demonstrate a bench-top system that can interface with
individual axons in the cervical vagus nerve through an implanted, all-optical instrument.
Addressing individual axons requires single micron spatial resolution at a depth of several
mm. Reporting and modulation are achieved through multiphoton absorption of incident
infrared light and detection of fluorescence in the visible spectrum. The optical system must
be precisely focused on individual axons and maintain this alignment with one micron
tolerance as the animal breaths and, in eventual experiments, moves. Movement of the
animal must not cause damage or initiate rejection, which in turn requires that the
mechanical properties of the implant match the surrounding soft tissue.
 No existing bioimaging technology can meet these requirements. Thus, this supplement
will support and advance the aim of the parent grant to create a new class of soft gradient
index optics that deform under strain of implantation or animal movement. These will be
created from soft solid polymers that are optically patterned with a permanent refractive
index gradient that focuses light in the same manner as existing glass micro-endoscopes
but with improved performance such as aberration correction. The proposed bio-imaging
technology will improve the performance of existing glass micro-endoscopes for deep,
broad-bandwidth, high-resolution neuromodulation while also matching tissue modulus to
enable chronic implantation.
 To extend the performance of these lenses during bending, we propose to incorporate
stress relaxation chemistry into the solid matrix of the polymer. Covalent adaptable
networks plastically deform in response to strain such as that caused by implantation or
movement. We have shown these eliminate stress-induced birefringence that typically
limits the performance of polymer optics. We hypothesize this scheme, when applied to
these soft polymer optics, will also improve performance under strain.
 Here we request funds for three years of graduate training for Mr. Arlo Marquez-Grap,
who is pursuing his doctorate in Materials Science and Engineering at the University of
Colorado Boulder. Mr. Marquez-Grap has a strong background in optics and materials and
is keenly interested in materials for biomedicine. This work will provide him broad training in
optical imaging, neuroscience, biomaterials and independent research. A comprehensive
mentoring plan will provide professional development and training to launch his career as
an independent researcher.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10574182
- **Project number:** 3R01NS118188-02S1
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO DENVER
- **Principal Investigator:** JOHN H CALDWELL
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $29,626
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2022-04-01 → 2025-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10574182

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10574182, Diversity Supplement for Arlo Marquez (3R01NS118188-02S1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10574182. Licensed CC0.

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