Dr. Marcu's group is best known for researching and engineering fluorescence lifetime-based instrumentation and multimodal imaging systems that enable studies of the molecular, metabolic, and morphologic changes in living systems ranging from biological cells and animal models to human patients. Her research targets unique applications that impact the clinical management of critical human disease, with an emphasis on three distinct areas: cardiovascular systems (intravascular diagnostics), oncology (intraoperative delineation of surgical margins), and regenerative medicine (tissue engineering).