Our research group uses light to study a range of fundamental and applied problems. We use and develop light-based techniques involving ultrafast lasers generating picosecond (10–12 sec) to femtosecond (10–15 sec) and steady-state sources. Our work involves extensive collaborations with other scientists both on and off campus. Three major areas of work involve: solvation dynamics, subdiffraction-limited imaging, and food safety. We are also entering the arena of developing alternate energy sources such as biofuels and photovoltaics.