Dr. Akkin develops label-free optical imaging technologies for fundamental research into the anatomical and connectional architecture of the brain. Based on polarization-sensitive optical coherence tomography, a serial scanner provides multiple contrasts for investigating the brain at microscopic resolution. The contrasts highlight exquisite networks of axon fiber tracts and their alignment in whole brains. His previous work includes demonstrating depth-resolved imaging of action potential propagation in unmyelinated nerves using phase-sensitive optical coherence tomography.