Isaac Gallegos

Open to opportunities

FocusDeep Tech · Physical Sciences

Isaac Gallegos

Engineer · Physicist

Abstract

I work at the intersection of fundamental science and engineering where a deep understanding of physics, materials, neuroengineering, and quantum systems becomes a leverage point for building technologies that genuinely change the world.

Regardless of how advanced AI evolves in automating tasks, developing ideas, and producing novel insights, I believe there will always be a need for visionaries who provide guidance and lead the world's greatest human-centered challenges in collaboration with AI. I am a leader with a strong technical background aspiring to transforming the world and addressing humanity's most significant challenges.

Keywords: spectroscopic imaging · photonics · quantum systems · first-principles engineering

Projects· Writing· Loading…· LinkedIn ↗

Now

Currently deeply researching Physics-Informed Neural Networks and theoretical neuroscience.

I am currently at the Wellman Center for Photomedicine at Harvard Medical School, where I have built computational methods and built custom optics instrumentation for spectroscopic imaging. My approach to problem solving is to start from first principles, understanding not just how a system behaves, but why it behaves that way and to use that as leverage in engineering.

Physics Engineering · Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts Institute of Technology · Open to opportunities

At a Glance

Research Engineer

Wellman Center for Photomedicine · Harvard Medical School

2025 — Present

Research Affiliate

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

2025 — Present

Quantitative Spectroscopic OCT

Building computational methods to accurately extract tissue composition from OCT interferograms solving a fundamental problem in OCT.

Multi-Spectral NIR-II Photoacoustic Microscopy via a Custom Fiber Amplifier

Developed unmixing algorithms for a first-of-its-kind all-fiber laser system enabling label-free molecular imaging and biological tissue characterization in the NIR-II window.

B.S. Engineering Physics

Colorado School of Mines

2021 — 2024

Advanced MaterialsQuantum SystemsDigital BiologyEthical AI for SciencePhotonics & SensingIntelligence & AutonomyMedical Devices

What I Want to Build

The grand challenges of this century including energy, ethical artificial intelligence, sustainable engineering will be solved by people who understand the fundamental science deeply enough to envision possible, and who care enough about the outcome to build it.

I have a passion for working on hard problems at the frontier of fundamental science and engineering where the physics isn't fully understood, the materials don't yet exist, and the potential impact justifies the difficulty. I want to be an early contributor, close to the core technical work, with a team of people that think rigorously and have a clear vision.

Advanced MaterialsQuantum SystemsDigital BiologyEthical AI for SciencePhotonics & SensingIntelligence & AutonomyMedical Devices

Technical Skills

Physics-First Engineering

Grounding every engineering decision in physical principles. Translating theoretical models into working systems where deep understanding becomes a real competitive edge.

E&MQuantum SystemsStatistical PhysicsThermal Physics

Materials Science & Characterization

Understanding how material structure governs macroscopic behavior. Spectroscopic and optical methods for probing composition, phase, and properties at scales from atomic to bulk.

SpectroscopyOptical PropertiesChemical CharacterizationThin Films

Artificial Intelligence & Deep Learning

Algorithm development for signal processing, inverse problems, and quantitative reconstruction of biological tissue composition. Building computational frameworks and physics-informed deep learning methods to extract physical parameters from complex datasets.

Physics-Informed Neural NetworksInverse DesignDeepXDEDeep Learning

Optics & Photonics

Coherent light propagation, interference, diffraction, and light-matter interaction from first principles. Experience with interferometric and photoacoustic imaging systems.

Wave OpticsInterferometryFiber SystemsLasers

Instrumentation & Systems

Design and integration of measurement systems from components to complete setups. Custom hardware, optical benching, and end-to-end characterization.

System DesignPrototypingDetectorsDAQ

Scientific Computing

Physics models to efficient, reproducible computational workflows. Data pipelines, numerical methods, and visualization for complex experimental and simulated datasets.

PythonMATLABNumPy / SciPySimulation