Data Mining and Optimization Applied to Raman Spectroscopy for Oncology Applications Michael B. Fenn J. Crayton Pruitt Family Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Florida, Center for Applied Optimization, University of Florida, JG-56 Biomedical Sciences Building, P.O. Box 116131, Gainesville, FL - 32611, USA. Vijay Pappu Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, University of Florida Center for Applied Optimization, University of Florida, 303 Weil Hall, P.O. Box 116595, Gainesville, FL - 32611, USA. Petros Xanthopoulos Department of Industrial Engineering and Management Systems Engineering, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida Center for Applied Optimization, University of Florida, 4000 Central Florida Blvd, P.O. Box 162993, Orlando, FL - 32816, USA. Panos M. Pardalos Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, University of Florida 303 Weil Hall, P.O. Box 116595, Gainesville, FL - 32611, USA. J. Crayton Pruitt Family Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Florida, JG-56 Biomedical Sciences Building, P.O. Box 116131, Gainesville, FL - 32611, USA. McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, 100 S. Newell Drive, Bldg. 59, Rm . L5-101, Gainesville, FL - 32611, USA Center for Applied Optimization, University of Florida Abstract Recent advances in Raman spectroscopy have generated a surge of interest in biomedical ap- plications particularly in the field of oncology. As cancer is predicted to become the number one cause of death by the end of the decade, Raman spectroscopy has the potential to significantly aid in the research, diagnosis and treatment of cancer. Biomedical applications of Raman spectroscopy currently under investigation range from the research laboratory bench-top to the clinical setting at the patients bedside. Raman spectroscopic analysis of biological specimens is advantageous as it provides a spectral fingerprint, rich in molecular compositional information without disrupting the biological environment allowing in-situ biochemical observations to be made. The information 1 This work is partially supported by 2011 UF Research Opportunity Seed Fund Award granted by UF Office of Research, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA. 1