Shaevitz combines custom super-resolution and multifocal/3D imaging instrumentation with single-molecule tracking to make precision measurements of bacterial cell-shape mechanics, cytoskeletal dynamics (e.g. MreB), collective motility and pattern formation, and animal behavior quantification. His lab pioneered 3D live-cell imaging of bacterial shape during growth and continues to develop chromatic multifocal and localization-microscopy instrumentation in collaboration with the Yang and Gregor labs.