Zeina Tannous, M.D. is a tenured Professor and Chair of Dermatology at the Gilbert and Rose-Marie Chagoury School of Medicine of the Lebanese American University (LAU) and Chief of Dermatology at LAU Medical Center-Rizk Hospital. She is also a Dermatology faculty member at Harvard Medical School. A graduate of the American University of Beirut School of Medicine, Dr. Tannous joined the Harvard Medical School for a Dermatology residency and three fellowships in Dermatopathology, Mohs Micrographic and Dermatologic Surgery, and Laser and Cosmetic Dermatology. She is board certified in the United States in Dermatology and Dermatopathology.
Dr. Tannous has published over 70 peer-reviewed articles, reviews, chapters, and abstracts. She has also co-authored the Cosmetic and Laser Dermatology textbook which contains over 600 clinical photographs and has been translated to both Korean and Greek. Subsequently, she served as the first author of the second edition of this textbook. She has also authored the Comprehensive Textbook of Cosmetic Dermatology, Laser and Energy-Based Therapies that was published in 2022. Dr. Tannous has served as a guest editor of Lasers in Surgery and Medicine journal where she serves as an editorial board member. Dr. Tannous is a member of multiple prestigious dermatological and laser societies including American Academy of Dermatology, American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery, European Society for Laser Dermatology, Lebanese Dermatologic Society and Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society.

Dr. Tannous has presented over 150 lectures and seminars in regional, national, and international meetings on the topics of Dermatology, Dermatopathology, Laser Surgery, and Dermatologic Surgery. Her teaching record includes numerous local contributions in the form of grand rounds and presentations to faculty, residents, medical students and pharmacy students. She has supervised and trained significant number of fellows, residents, and medical students both in the United States and in Lebanon.
Dr. Tannous has assumed multiple leadership roles throughout her academic career. She has served as a program co-chair in multiple national and international meetings. She has also served as Associate Program Director for Dermatopathology in the Dermatology Department at Harvard Medical School. She was elected in November 2018 as the founding chair of the Arab Board of Cosmetic Dermatology. She subsequently developed and implemented the fellowship program goals and objectives for training in Cosmetic Dermatology and Lasers, as a subspecialty under the Arab Board of Dermatology, and designed the entire didactic and training curriculum. Dr. Tannous is currently the founding chair and the residency program director of the Dermatology Department at the Lebanese American University School of Medicine.
Dr. Tannous has served as a principal investigator on multiple studies, and her research has resulted in three patents. Dr. Tannous’ research interests include the application of lasers and light sources in the treatment of dermatologic conditions, including hemangiomas, portwine stains and skin cancer, as well as non-invasive imaging of skin. She has been exploring the treatment of basal cell carcinoma with vascular-specific lasers and her work has resulted in multiple publications in this area.

Molly Wanner, M.D., M.B.A., is a board-certified dermatologist who specializes in laser and cosmetic dermatology at Massachusetts General Hospital and is an assistant professor in dermatology at Harvard Medical School. Dr. Wanner conducts clinical and basic science research in the areas of cosmetic and laser dermatology. Her research interested include the impact of laser and EBD on tissue biology and vascular treatments and imaging.

Dr. Wanner has authored numerous scientific publications and is frequently cited as a clinical expert. Dr. Wanner is a board member and treasurer of the American Society of Laser Medicine and Surgery. Dr. Wanner also contributes to popular consumer media.

Dr. Wanner graduated Alpha Omega Alpha from the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons and Beta Gamma Sigma from Columbia University business school. At Columbia, she received the American Medical Women’s Association (AMWA) achievement citation and the F. Lowenfish Prize for dermatology research. She completed her residency training in dermatology at Columbia University Medical Center and served as Chief Resident. She was a fellow in laser and cosmetic dermatology at the Massachusetts General Hospital and Wellman Center for Photomedicine.

Dr. Fernanda H. Sakamoto, MD, Ph.D is an Assistant Professor in Dermatology at the Harvard Medical School, Wellman Center for Photomedicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA since 2006. She is a fellow of the AAD, fellow of the American Society of Lasers in Medicine and Surgery (ASLMS), a member of the Société Française de Dermatologie; of the Brazilian Society of Dermatology, of the Brazilian Society of Dermatological Surgery, of the Brazilian Group of Melanoma and of the International Society of Dermoscopy. She is a physician-scientist and board-certified Dermatologist from Brazil. Dr. Sakamoto’s research interests include laser and device therapies, PDT, acne, skin cancer, wound healing, and new material science. Working with translational and clinical sciences in academia and industry is Dr. Sakamoto’s field of interest. Currently her work is focused on the development of new light-based treatments for acne and atopic dermatitis. Dr. Sakamoto is a Co-Director of the Education Committee of the Wellman Center/MGH since 2017 and has served on the ASLMS Education, International Committees, Research and Development Committee and Women in Energy Based Devices Committee of which she was the Chair in 2021. She was the Program Chair of the 2022 ASLMS Annual Meeting and has received Best Overall Scientific Award, Best Clinical Science Award (twice) and Bast Basic Science Award, the Horace Furimoto Award for Innovation and the Ellet Drake Memorial Award for innovative laser procedures by the same society.   

Dr. Sakamoto has contributed with over 30 scientific and clinical publications in peer-reviewed journals, and over a dozen book chapters in the major Dermatology textbooks.  She is an inventor on seven US and international patents on innovations in Dermatology. She has contributed to the creation of FDA approved technologies, including the micro-coring device for skin tightening; and Dr. Sakamoto is the primary inventor of laser for acne treatment. 

She has served as Associate Editor for the Journal of Investigative Dermatology for 4 years and was Guest Editor of Lasers in Surgery and Medicine in 2012. Dr. Sakamoto maintains a cosmetic laser/device clinic in Brazil, and as a founding member of the Dream Beam Foundation, she is actively creating a free clinic and training center in Sao Paulo. In the past, has treated native Indians in the Amazon jungle. Dr. Sakamoto also works as a consultant to multiple laser and cosmetic companies in the US. Dr. Sakamoto lives in Boston with her husband, Rox Anderson, her 3 boys under the age of 8 years old and her little dog, BB.

Shilpi Khetarpal, MD is a fellowship-trained, board-certified dermatologist who is currently an associate professor in dermatology at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation. She completed her undergraduate and medical education through the accelerated, 6-year BS/MD program at Northeast Ohio Medical University. She did her dermatology residency at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation and a fellowship in lasers and cosmetic surgery at SkinCare Physicians in Chestnut Hill, MA. Dr. Khetarpal has presented at both local and national professional meetings and has authored numerous book chapters in dermatologic textbooks and published many articles in peer-reviewed journals. She is actively involved in the Women’s Dermatologic Society, American Academy of Dermatology, American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, Ohio Dermatological Association, and American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery.

Morgan Murphrey is a board certified dermatologist, and dermatology fellow in Laser & Cosmetic Dermatology at Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Department of Dermatology in Boston, MA. She completed her dermatology residency at the University of California, Davis, where she served as the chief resident in her final year of training. Before her residency, she attended Creighton University School of Medicine, where she concurrently earned her medical degree and Master's degree in Health Care Ethics. Between her third and fourth year of medical school, she solidified her passion for research and innovation while completing a pre-doctoral research fellowship at Northwestern University, where she participated in both industry and investigator-initiated clinical trials. She grew up in Northern California, and completed her undergraduate education at California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo, where she earned a degree in Biochemistry and a minor in Psychology and French. She is passionate about finding innovative solutions to problems in dermatology.

Clinical Professor of Dermatology Weill Cornell Medical
School. Editor several textbooks dedicated to cosmetic dermatology and surgical hair restoration.
Editor multiple peer reviewed journals and author multiple book chapters and peer reviewed papers on hair transplantatiion and medical therapy for hair loss.
private practice New York City with offices located in Brooklyn and Manhattan.

Robert Finney, M.D. is a Board-Certified Dermatologist, Fellowship-Trained in Hair Restoration and Aesthetics. Originally from Pittsburgh, PA, Dr. Finney completed his undergraduate and medical degrees at Pennsylvania State University. He completed his internship and dermatology residency at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia, PA where he served as chief resident during his final year. Following his residency, he completed an advanced fellowship in aesthetics, hair restoration, and skin surgery with renowned hair surgeon Dr. Marc Avram in New York City.

Dr. Finney approaches aesthetics holistically, taking into account not only patients' current concerns, but also planning for the future. He takes pride in establishing longitudinal relationships, educating his patients on the 3D-nature of aging, and ultimately ensuring a future of aging gracefully. His goal is to ensure that his patients look refreshed, never “done”.

As a hair expert, Dr. Finney continues to push the standard of care, and innovates to create cutting edge, individualized treatment plans. He has been treating his own genetic hair loss since his mid-20s; therefore, he is truly able to view each treatment through the lens of the patient and provider. This is what led him to create his ScalpStim Pro treatments: efficacious, customized treatments for his patients.

Dr. Finney has authored several peer-reviewed articles and book chapters on hair loss. He frequently lectures both nationally and internationally on the topic, leading him to be sought after by major media outlets to share his expertise re: skin and hair. Dr. Finney takes pride in helping mold the next generation of dermatologists, acting as clinical assistant professor at Mount Sinai - Icahn School of Medicine. When not seeing patients, Dr. Finney loves reading historical non-fiction, and staying active playing ice hockey, hiking or competing on peloton.

Joel L. Cohen, MD (FAAD, FACMS) is an internationally-recognized expert on aesthetics and skin cancer. He is the Director of AboutSkin Dermatology and DermSurgery, and AboutSkin Research in metropolitan-Denver, Colorado. He was named a Top Dermatologist by US News and World Report, Castle Connelly Top Doctor (2013-2024), and voted by his peers as one of Denver's Top Doctors in 5280 magazine 10-times. He is a Board-Certified Dermatologist, and Fellowship-trained in Mohs Surgery, Lasers, Aesthetics and Cosmetic Dermatology.

Dr. Cohen has published over 306 medical articles and book chapters, and has has co-authored 3 academic textbooks. He lectures every month at national meetings as well as at many international congresses, and has participated in over 100 clinical trials including on key aesthetic lasers and devices as well as injectables. He is on the teaching faculty of the University of California Irvine as an Associate Professor of Dermatology. He also serves as one of the Medical Directors for Cosmetic Physician Partners (CPP).

Dr. Cohen has received many prestigious awards including the Melanoma Research Foundation Humanitarian of the Year Award, the ASDS Public Service Award, the ASDS Patient Safety Hero Award, the ASDS Excellence in Education Award, the ASCDAS Distinguished Service Award, and the ASDS Traveling Mentorship & Teaching Award.

He has been quoted in many newspapers & magazines including: Vogue, TIME Magazine, Glamour, Elle, Allure, The New York Times (x4), Reader’s Digest, Shape, USA Today, US News & World Report, InStyle, BuzzFeed, MSN.com, ABC.com, NewBeauty, Condé Nast, Men’s Health, Huffington Post, International Business Times, Consumer Reports (x8), SELF, Women’s Health and MORE Magazine. He serves on the NewBeauty Magazine Medical and Brain trust board, and is an editor/reviwer for more than 10 academic journals.

He regularly appears on Denver TV stations (with over 75 appearances discussing aesthetic issues, dermatology, and skin cancer), and has been a guest on many segments of SiriusXM Doctor Radio. He was also featured on the Emmy Award winning show “The Doctors.”

Dr. Jason Pozner is Board Certified in Plastic Surgery by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and is a member of numerous medical societies. He is the founder of Sanctuary Plastic Surgery in Boca Raton, Florida. He is currently adjunct clinical faculty at Cleveland Clinic Florida and Assistant Professor at the University of Miami. Dr. Pozner is a consultant or advisory board member of several laser and aesthetic companies and is actively involved with new product development. He is the author of many scientific articles, books and book chapters and lectures nationally and internationally on many aesthetic surgery related topics.

Dr. DiBernardo is the Medical Director of New Jersey Plastic Surgery® in Montclair, NJ, past President of the New Jersey Society of Plastic Surgeons (2005-2006), an Associate Clinical Professor in Plastic and Reconstructive surgery at UMDNJ, and is currently is on the board of directors of the Aesthetic Surgery Education and Research Foundation. He also serves on the Advisory Board to many of the leading skincare and injectable technology companies worldwide.

Suzanne L. Kilmer, M.D.

Dr. Suzanne Linsmeier Kilmer is the Founder of the Laser & Skin Surgery Center of Northern California, a Clinical Professor at the University of California, Davis, and past president of ASLMS. She completed her M.D. degree and dermatology residency at U.C. Davis Medical Center. She then moved east for a laser surgery fellowship at Harvard Medical School’s Wellman Laboratories of Photomedicine to train with Rox Anderson, M.D. She remained at Harvard as a faculty member for two more years, researching the use of Q-switched lasers for the treatment of tattoos and pigmented lesions and the rapidly pulsed CO2 lasers now popular for resurfacing.

Upon returning to Sacramento, Dr. Kilmer was a principal investigator in several hundred clinical trials, including laser skin resurfacing, laser hair removal, pulsed dye and fractional lasers for wrinkles, scars, and actinic damage, cosmetic injectables, microwave technology for the treatment of hyperhidrosis, cryolipolysis, tissue tightening, body shaping and muscle stimulations devices, and picosecond laser treatment of tattoos, pigmented lesions, acne scars and pico-toning and other novel technologies on the horizon.

She lectures annually at national and international dermatology meetings and directs several laser courses. Widely published and on numerous medical advisory boards, Dr. Kilmer has served on the Board of Directors for ASDS and ASLMS, as well as the Past President and Secretary for ASLMS, and has received three presidential citations for her contributions. She was honored to be the 2008 Sturge-Weber Foundation roastee, the 2009 recipient of the prestigious ASLMS Ellet Drake lectureship award, and the ASDS 2014 Iron Surgeon. Dr. Kilmer received three awards in 2020: The Vic Narurkar MD, Innovations in Aesthetic Dermatology Lectureship, and the prestigious Leon Goldman and Caroline & William Mark Memorial Awards for longitudinal excellence throughout her career. 2021 ASLMS honored Dr. Kilmer with Dr. Thomas E. Rohrer’s 2021 Presidential Citation and the Melanie C. Grossman, MD Award for Leadership, Mentorship & Public Advocacy for Women in Medical Science Award.

When not playing in the electromagnetic spectrum, she loves to ski, play pickleball, solve puzzles, take beach walks, and play games with her family.

Dr. A. Jay Burns has enjoyed a successful practice in Dallas for over 30 years. He graduated with high honors from Baylor University undergraduate and University of Texas Southwestern Medical School. He was board certified in general surgery training the University of Utah Affiliated Hospitals in Salt Lake City followed by a plastic surgery residency at University of Texas Southwestern. He was fellowship trained vascular anomalies and birthmarks at Harvard Affiliated Hospitals and is board certified in plastic and reconstructive surgery.
Dr Burns is a national and internationally renowned expert and speaker in Plastic and Reconstructive surgery, with specific acumen and focus on Cosmetic Surgery, Lasers and other energy/technology devices.
Dr Burns a partner and also the National Medical Director of Cosmetic Physicians Partners, which at the time of this writing is the largest group of aesthetic practices in the United Statess and has beat all predictions on growth due to their unique partnership and approach that is NOT PE or VC based and retains control by the owner.
He continues to work hand in hand with industry in the development of new products, and is intimately involved with FDA research which enables such products to enter the marketplace.
Dr. Burns has been a member of the American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery since 1992 and served on the board several years culminating in he service as President of the organization in 2006-7. He remains active in the society. Dr. Burns is also a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, Inc., and the American Association of Plastic Surgeons. He has been a national spokesperson for both societies and served as Traveling Professor for the Aesthetic Society for the years 2001 to 2003. In addition, he is also a member of the American College of Surgeons, the Dallas Society of Plastic Surgeons and the Texas Society of Plastic Surgeons. His expert opinions are sought out regularly by multiple media sources. He was featured on the Oprah Winfrey “Medical Miracles” show. Dr. Burns has been voted numerous times by his peers D Magazine’s “Best Doctors”, including the last 7 years from 2017 to 2023. He has been voted a Texas Monthly’s “ Super Doctors” for as long as the award has been given.

Dr. Burns and his wife, Ginny, have two children, and seven grandchildren. He is enthusiastically involved with his family and Watermark Community Church. He strives daily to be a more fully devoted follower of Jesus Christ. He and his wife started and lead the Prodigal ministry, which brings hope to families dealing with the chaos of prodigal or wayward children. He loves traveling with his wife, family and friends. He also enjoys the mountains, golf, and video editing.

E. Victor Ross, M.D., CAPT MC, USN (ret) attended Mississippi State University where he graduated summa cum laude with a B.S. in physics. He obtained his medical degree from the Tulane University School of Medicine where he was a junior year inductee into Alpha Omega Alpha. Following internship, Dr. Ross went to Sasebo, Japan as a General Medical Officer. In 1992, he completed a three-year dermatology residency at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda. In 1994, he was the first Navy-sponsored fellow in photomedicine and lasers at the Massachusetts General Hospital. While there, he conducted basic research experiments and human clinical trials in photodynamic therapy and novel laser applications in dermatology. He was honored as the 2001 Navy Recipient of the Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff Award for excellence in Military Medicine.

Dr. Ross is presently the director of the Laser and Cosmetic Dermatology Center at Scripps Clinic in San Diego. He also served on the boards of the American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery (president in 2008), the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, and the American Society for Cosmetic Dermatology and Aesthetic Surgery. His special interests are fractional laser skin rejuvenation, photodynamic therapy, non-ablative skin remodeling, laser management of scars, laser treatment of acne, and laser hair reduction in dark skinned patients. He is the author of over 100 articles and nine book chapters. Presently, Dr. Ross is investigating novel approaches in pigment quantification as well as conducting comparative trials of picosecond laser sources, novel RF technologies in skin rejuvenation, photon recycling, and laser assisted acne treatments.

Thomas M. Beachkofsky, MD, FAAD is a Board-Certified Dermatologist (American Board of Dermatology) and serves as the Director of the Cutaneous Rehabilation Clinic at the James A. Haley Veterans Hospital in Tampa, Florida. He received his undergraduate degree from the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado and received his Medical Degree from the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences in Bethesda, Maryland. Subsequently he completed his internship and residency in Dermatology in San Antonio, Texas all while serving on Active Duty as an Officer in the United States Air Force. During training he was inducted in the Alpha Omega Alpha national medical honors society and earned accolades as the distinguished graduate from his transitional internship and served as Chief Resident of his dermatology training program.

He is an experienced medical and procedural dermatologist as well as clinical researcher with extensive training and experience with the use of lasers, lights and energy-based devices. He is an internationally recognized expert and has lectured on the use of such devices around the world and published his work in multiple textbooks and over 35 peer reviewed journals articles. He is most well-known for his experience with the use of ablative lasers for the treatment of burns, scars and extensive sun damaged skin and currently operates 30+ devices in his clinic. He is passionate about the care of veterans, wounded warriors and amputees and in 2020 was awarded the Henry M. Jackson Foundation Hero of Military Medicine. His current research is focused on rehabilitating scars in the amputee population and restoring the form and function of aging skin.

Dr. Levin completed his MD and PhD degrees at Stanford University in the Schools of Medicine and Engineering, respectively, and was funded by an NIH Medical Scientist Training Program grant. He completed his dermatology residency at Boston Medical Center, where he served as chief resident, and then completed a two-year clinical and research fellowship at the Massachusetts General Hospital's laser and cosmetic center.

He is currently an Assistant Professor of Dermatology at Harvard Medical School and is a faculty physician at the MGH's Wellman Center for Photomedicine and its Department of Dermatology. In his clinical practice, Dr. Levin includes laser treatments of children with challenging congenital malformations both in the operating room and in the clinic, as well as cosmetic and medical dermatology. He also volunteers to treat children internationally in both Vietnam and Israel. His research focuses on the development of novel energy-based devices to improve the treatment of disfiguring birthmarks in children, to prevent cutaneous burns, and to treat and prevent infectious diseases. His work has resulted in multiple awarded patents and numerous peer-reviewed publications.

Peter Shumaker, MD, retired as a Captain in the United States Navy having spent more than a third of his 22 years of service as Chairman of the Department of Dermatology at the Naval Medical Center San Diego (NMCSD). Dr. Shumaker completed a Procedural Dermatology fellowship at Scripps Clinic in La Jolla, CA, and has since developed a special focus in Mohs surgery and laser medicine. Dr. Shumaker and colleagues have been dedicated to facilitating the functional and cosmetic recovery of wounded warriors and other patients with traumatic scarring and other related injuries. He has presented nationally and internationally on cutting edge scar management, co-authored articles published in top journals from 7 different medical specialties, led an annual national multidisciplinary Summit on trauma rehabilitation, served as team lead for a multi-year engagement in burn scar revision and restorative medicine in Vietnam, and served as co-Editor for The Scar Book published in 2017, the first comprehensive textbook on scar pathophysiology and management. He previously served on the Editorial Board for the Society publication Lasers in Surgery and Medicine. He continues his service to veterans as Chief of Dermatology at the VA San Diego and he is a non-salaried Clinical Professor at the University of California, San Diego.

With a strong 30 years’ experience in dermatology, angiology and anti-aging, Michele Pelletier naturally started to specialize in laser technology by creating a dermo-esthetic and anti-aging laser center. After 20 years of light therapy practice, she explored other areas like radiofrequency and other light sources like the non-thermal effects of light emitting diode. Since October 2010 she runs European Led Academy as LedAcademy president. A non-profit organization with a membership opens to physicians, physicists, cell-biologists, optoelectronic engineers, concerned with photobiological mechanisms and treatments related to the use of LED or Low-Level Lasers. She is a member of diverse medical associations including France Medicine Aesthetic, French Laser Society, WALT (World Association for Photobiomodulation Therapy) and IALMS (International Academy for Laser Medicine and Surgery).

Nashwa Cheema, Phd from University of Alberta in Physiology, Cell and Developmental Biology. Her research interest is in mitochondrial/ muscle biology. She is current s research fellow in Rox Anderson lab at Wellman Center for Photomedicine. Her researcf project is focused on near infra red light therapy in muscle performance.

Sandra Lee, MD
Dr Lee is a Board Certified Dermatologist in Southern California, aka Dr Pimple Popper on social media & with an international award winning TV series called Dr Pimple Popper, on TLC network for 9 seasons, and now with new season on Lifetime TV called Dr Pimple Popper Breaking Out.

Shereene Idriss, M.D., founder of Idriss Dermatology in NYC is an expert in facial rejuvenation who embraces spotlighting her patients’ unique facial features rather than morphing them into someone else. In a world amped up on filters, Dr. Idriss strives to combine a strong doctor-patient connection with her medical expertise and made a career of being honest and transparent with her patients, talking to them one-on-one about what they need (and what they don’t) and educating them about their skincare routines along the way. In 2018, she began posting informational videos from her bed to her Instagram account and quickly became known to her followers as the #PillowtalkDerm. She’s since launched a YouTube channel and amassed a social media following of more than 3M+. Dr. Idriss believes that subtle cosmetic changes can have dramatic results, and her goal is to help her patients and followers look—and feel—their best.

Dr. Ugonabo received her Bachelor’s degree from Stanford University, M.D. degree at the University of Michigan, and M.P.H from Harvard School of Public Health. She also completed her Dermatology training at NYU Medical Center and was appointed Chief Resident in her final year. Following residency, Dr. Ugonabo was an American Society for Dermatologic Surgery (ASDS) Cosmetic Dermatologic Surgery Fellow at UnionDerm in New York City where she led clinical trials investigating the treatment of acne scars, photodamage, cellulite, muscle stimulation and melasma with lasers. Dr. Ugonabo currently practices both medical and cosmetic dermatology at UnionDerm in New York City and has extensive experience using lasers, injectables like botox and fillers, fat loss treatments, skin tightening, chemical peels, sunscreens and other forms of photo-protection, acne, and hyperpigmentation. She also works as an Assistant Professor at Albert Einstein College of Medicine’s Division of Dermatology where she enjoys teaching and mentoring residents and medical students.

Biography of Dr. Macrene Alexiades MD PhD
Macrene Alexiades, MD PhD FAAD received three degrees from Harvard University: BA from Harvard University, MD from Harvard Medical School; and a PhD in Genetics from Harvard University. She has received the Fulbright Scholarship in molecular biology and biotechnology; the Harvard Medical School Dean’s Report, Paul Dudley White Award, Husik Prize, Fitzpatrick Clinical Innovations Award, and Melanie Grossman Award Leadership, Mentorship and Public Advocacy for Women in Medical Science; and grants from the National Institutes of Health, National Eye Institute and Radcliffe College. She is a Fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology, American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery, the American Dermatologic Association, and achieved the rare status of Double Board-Certification in Dermatology in the European Union and US. She is Associate Clinical Professor at Yale University School of Medicine, Adjunct Professor at Sygros Hospital, University of Athens and Founder Director of the Dermatology and Laser Surgery Center in Manhattan and the Hamptons. She is an attending at Yale/New Haven Hospital and Yale/West Haven VA Hospital and has numerous publications and discoveries in the fields of basic science, dermatology and laser surgery. She runs clinical research trials and a basic science laboratory alongside her active skincare MACRENE actives.
She has served on numerous academic and pharmaceutical boards. She is Assistant Editor for Dermatologic Surgery, Senior Associate Editor for the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, and Editor for Journal of Lasers in Medicine and Surgery and reviewer for over 12 medical journals. She has written a textbook entitled, Cosmetic Dermatologic Surgery (Wolters Kluwer Lippincott) and currently in press on her second textbook, Photodynamic Therapy (Elsevier).
She is the lead genetics investigator for Allergan AbbVie, the lead clinical investigator and lead author on four seminal articles in the past year: the newest class of hyaluronic acid fillers published in Dermatologic Surgery, the first FDA approved acne laser published in the JAAD, the first consensus article on best practices for lasers in urogynecologic health in Lasers Medicine and Surgery, and radiofrequency microneedling in Facial Plastic Surgery Clinics and the most published author in her department at Yale.

Dr Gaspar is an OB/GYN specialist, cosmetogynecologist, former associate professor at the Gynecology Department of the Faculty of Medicine at Mendoza University, Argentina, and an owner and director of the Gaspar Antiaging and Esthetic Medicine Clinic in Mendoza, Argentina. He received his medical diploma from the Graduate School of Medical Sciences of Universidad Nacional de Cuyo in Mendoza, Argentina in 1995, followed by four years of postgraduate study in Gynecology and Obstetrics at the Hospital Italiano de Mendoza, Argentina.
With more than 15 years of education and experience in the use of lasers in medicine, Dr Gaspar has performed postgraduate research on body contour treatments and reconstructive and aesthetic medicine, and is among the pioneers in the use of laser treatments for vaginal rejuvenation. He is a member of several eminent medical societies and organizations as well as director of the Argentine Institute of Aesthetic Medicine and Laser Gynoplasty and associate professor at the Argentine School of Aesthetic Medicine (AICER) in Buenos Aires. He is also the current president of the Latin American Society of Aesthetic and Functional Gynecology, SOLAGEF.

Ronda Farah, MD is an Associate tant Professor in the Department of Dermatology at the University of Minnesota. She is also Director of Medical Dermatology at the University of Minnesota Health Maple Grove Clinics and the Cosmetic Lead for the University of Minnesota Health. She is a member of the American Academy of Dermatology and has published numerous articles within her fields of expertise. Dr. Farah has special interests in energy based medicine, cosmetics and hair disease. She completed her medical education at the University of Minnesota Medical School and dermatology residency at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. She is an American Academy of Dermatology Social Media Correspondent.

Biography: Dr. Christine C. Dierickx, MD, received her M.D. degree from the medical school program of the University of Leuven, Belgium and completed a dermatology residency at the same university. She then developed clinical expertise in phlebology during a two-year fellowship with Professor Neuman in the Netherlands. Subsequently, she finished a clinical laser fellowship with Dr. R. Fitzpatrick in San Diego, California, and a Mohs fellowship with Dr. F. Mohs in Madison, Wisconsin. During a two-year laser fellowship with Dr. R. Rox Anderson at Massachusetts General Hospital of Harvard University, she developed research laser expertise in various fields. The projects on vascular lesions draw directly upon her research on the thermal relaxation time of ectatic blood vessels. She established the need of millisecond laser pulses for the treatment of vascular lesions and showed that the formation of gentle cavitations driven by a slow photothermal process underlies the destruction of blood vessels with the longer millisecond laser pulses. For this work, she received the Best Basic Science Award of the American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery. Subsequently, she became a full-time staff member of the Wellman Laboratories at Harvard. During this time, she conducted research projects with long pulsed ruby and diode lasers for hair removal. She returned to Europe in early 1999, where she is currently in private practice in Luxembourg. She served as Vice president for the American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery in 2006-2007. In 2013 she was the recipient of the Vasant Orwal Oration van de British Medical Laser Society. In April 2016 she received the Leon Goldman memoriam award from the American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery. She continues to be involved in the development of new applications for energy-based devices as well as new applications for photodynamic therapy. Dr. Dierickx has published and lectured nationally and internationally in the field of laser surgery and photodynamic therapy.

Dr. Thomas E. Rohrer, a dermatologic surgeon, is one of the nation’s leading experts in both cosmetic and surgical dermatology. He has been the president of both the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery (ASDS) and the American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery (ASLMS) and sited as one of the Top 20 Dermatologists in the country by Newsweek Magazine.

Dr. Rohrer has given well over 500 lectures nationally and internationally and has published in numerous dermatologic and cosmetic surgery journals and textbooks. Dr. Rohrer is the editor of six cosmetic, laser, and surgical textbooks.

Along with his partners, Drs. Arndt, Dover, and Kaminer, Dr. Rohrer co-directs three fellowships each year which focus on all aspects of dermatologic surgery. Together they have graduated over 70 well-trained dermatologic surgeons who have gone on to exceptional careers across the country.

Dr. Rohrer has also been elected to the Board of Directors of the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), the Association of Academic Dermatologic Surgeons, the American College of Mohs Surgery, the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery (ASDS), and the American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery (ASLMS). Dr. Rohrer has received multiple presidential citations from the AAD, the ASLMS, and the ASDS.

Dr. Jacqueline Watchmaker is a Board-Certified Dermatologist who practices medical, procedural and cosmetic dermatology. She currently practices at the Center for Aesthetic and Laser Medicine, Scottsdale. Dr. Watchmaker is originally from Wisconsin and earned her medical degree from Medical College of Wisconsin. In medical school she was elected to the prestigious Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society. Following medical school, she completed a one-year internal medicine internship where she was selected as the “Best Intern” for her year. She then completed dermatology residency at Boston University in Massachusetts where she served as chief resident during her final year.

Following residency Dr. Watchmaker was accepted to a Laser and Cosmetic Dermatology fellowship the at Skincare Physicians in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. In fellowship she developed expertise in the use of injectable fillers, neuromodulators, lasers and other energy-based devices for the treatment of many conditions including rosacea, acne, birthmarks, scarring, ageing skin, cellulite, hair loss and melasma.

Dr. Watchmaker has written multiple book chapters and published many research papers in peer-reviewed medical journals. The majority of her research focuses on the use of lasers in dermatology. Dr. Watchmaker has presented at many national and international meetings including the American Academy of Dermatology, the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, International Society of Dermatology, World Congress of Dermatology and the American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery.

David M. Ozog, currently serves as Chair, Department of Dermatology and holds the C.S. Livingood Chair in Dermatology, at Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, Michigan. He is also an active Mohs surgeon and Director of Cosmetic Dermatology. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan where he was a James B. Angell 4.0 GPA Scholar, completed post baccalaureate work at Bryn Mawr in Philadelphia and his medical degree from University of Rochester Medical School, Rochester, New York, where he was awarded AOA honors society. He completed his dermatology residency at Henry Ford Hospital, in Detroit, where he served as Chief Resident. His Mohs, Cosmetic and Procedural fellowship was with Dr. Ron Moy at UCLA Medical Center and Moy-Fincher Medical Group, in Beverly Hills, CA. He has published more than 90 articles and book chapters and has given hundreds of lectures nationally and internationally in various facets of procedural dermatology. His textbook, co-edited with Joel Cohen, Botulinum Toxins: Cosmetic and Clinical Applications, was published in 2017. Dr Ozog has directed sessions at the American Academy of Dermatology's annual meeting for several years. He was a member of the AAD coding committee, and he currently serves on the AAD Scientific Assembly Committee for a six-year term. He is scheduled to chair both Summer and Annual AAD meetings. He is also an editorial board member of JAMA Dermatology and an assistant editor of Dermatologic Surgery. His active research interests include cutaneous oncology, scarring prevention and treatment, botulinum toxins, as well as laser delivery for cosmetic and malignant conditions. He has trained more than 76 residents in dermatological surgery and was chosen by the residents as “Teacher of the Year.” Dr Ozog has taught hands on workshops nationally for the American Society for Dermatological Surgery, and he is co-director of the cadaver lab at Henry Ford. He enjoys biking and spending time with his wife Dawnmarie and their three children. Although his research group successfully pivoted to COVID work during the pandemic, he is thrilled to return to lasers and oncology, leaving spike proteins behind (hopefully forever).

Merete Haedersdal, MD, PhD, DMSc is a clinical professor of dermatology at the University of Copenhagen, Denmark, and director of the Danish Research Center for Skin Cancer. She is a visiting scientist at the Wellman Center for Photomedicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, focusing on the project “Laser-Assisted Drug Delivery” in collaboration with Dr. R. Rox Anderson and his team. Dr. Haedersdal received her MD degree from the Medical School program of the University of Copenhagen, Denmark, and was authorized as a specialist in dermato-venereology in 2004. Dr. Haedersdal received her PhD degree in 1997 and became Dr. of Medical Science in 1999. Her theses covered aspects of side effects from dermatological laser procedures in animal and human experimental studies. Professor Haedersdal has published more than 250 scientific papers and lectures internationally. Her research team focuses on translational medicine in the field of lasers and energy-based devices in dermatology, imaging-guided procedures, fractional laser-assisted drug delivery, photodynamic therapy, and treatment of skin cancer with light-based devices in combination with topically applied drugs.

Brian S. Biesman, MD, FACS, is the Director of his practice in Nashville, Tennessee, where he is also a Clinical Assistant Professor at the Vanderbilt University Medical Center Department of Ophthalmology. He is also a Clinical Associate Professor at the University of Tennessee Health Sciences Center in Memphis.
Dr. Biesman earned his medical degree at the University of Michigan School of Medicine in Ann Arbor, Michigan. He completed an ophthalmology residency at the Illinois Eye and Ear Infirmary in Chicago, Illinois. He then completed a fellowship at the Manhattan Eye, Ear, and Throat Hospital in New York City. He returned to Illinois to serve as chief resident of the Department of Ophthalmology at the University of Illinois at Chicago.
Dr. Biesman has been published widely in peer-reviewed journals and has lectured extensively throughout the country. His research interests include optimizing and expanding the use of existing soft tissue fillers, exploring novel injectable fillers, optimizing energy-based devices for aesthetic applications, developing and testing novel energy-based devices, developing and testing cosmeceuticals, and developing combination therapy techniques for rejuvenation of the body and face. He also is actively pursuing novel treatments for acne, hyperhidrosis, syringomas, xanthelasma, and other dermatologic disorders. He is a principal investigator in many industry-sponsored and investigator-initiated clinical trials and has published extensively in the peer-reviewed literature.
Dr. Biesman is a member of the American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery (ASLMS), the American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (ASOPRS), and the American Academy of Ophthalmology, among others. He has been recognized for his Excellence in Education by the ASLMS and received the Henry Baylis Lectureship Award from ASOPRS.

Arisa E. Ortiz, M.D. is the Director of Laser and Cosmetic Dermatology, and an Associate Clinical Professor of Dermatology at the University of California, San Diego.  She received training in Mohs Micrographic Surgery at UC San Diego and also completed the prestigious cosmetic and laser fellowship at Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, and Wellman Center for Photomedicine. Dr. Ortiz completed her dermatology residency training at UC Irvine and Beckman Laser Institute. She has authored over fifty publications and several book chapters. Dr. Ortiz also coedited a textbook on surgical reconstruction. She has presented at international and national conferences and is frequently an invited speaker at the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), American Society for Dermatologic Surgery (ASDS), and the American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery (ASLMS). She is on the editorial board of the Journal of Lasers in Surgery and Medicine and has won several awards including the Top Doctors Award, and Exceptional Women in Medicine, ASLMS Best of Session Award for Cutaneous Applications, the ASLMS research grant, and the ASDS Cutting Edge Research Grant. Dr. Ortiz has also served as the President of the San Diego Dermatologic Surgery Society and is serving on the ASLMS Board of Directors. Her research interests are in laser treatment of non-melanoma skin cancer.

Paul M. Friedman, MD, board-certified by the American Board of Dermatology, is the director of Dermatology & Laser Surgery Center of Houston, Texas, and also practices at the Laser & Skin Surgery Center of New York. He was educated in dermatology at the New York University School of Medicine where he served as chief resident and was twice awarded the prestigious Husik Prize for his research in dermatologic surgery. He completed a one-year fellowship in dermatologic laser surgery and Mohs micrographic surgery & cutaneous oncology at the Laser & Skin Surgery Center of New York and was the recipient of the Young Investigator's Writing Competition Award of the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery (ASDS). Dr. Friedman is a clinical assistant professor at the University of Texas Medical School, department of dermatology, and a clinical assistant professor of dermatology at the Weill Cornell Medical College, Houston Methodist Hospital. He is also on staff at Texas Children's Hospital and Memorial-Hermann Hospital-Texas Medical Center. Dr. Friedman is a fellowship director for the ASDS-accredited cosmetic dermatologic surgery fellowship training program and also serves as faculty for the Procedural Dermatology Fellowship at MD Anderson Cancer Center.

Dr. Friedman has been a featured speaker of ASDS, the American Academy of Dermatology, the American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery (ASLMS), and other national and international audiences. He recently served as past President of ASLMS and was awarded the prestigious Leon Goldman Memorial Award at the 2019 ASLMS Annual Conference. Dr. Friedman has published over 100 medical articles and book chapters and co-authored the book Beautiful Skin Revealed: The Ultimate Guide to Better Skin. He is co-Editor of the textbook Lasers and Light Source Treatment For The Skin and serves on the Editorial Board of the journal Dermatologic Surgery. He has been featured in numerous national media outlets and is a frequent guest on Doctor Radio’s Dermatology Show. Dr. Friedman has been recognized as a leading physician and researcher in the field and has also been involved in the development of several new laser systems and therapeutic techniques now commonly used throughout the world.

Shilpi Khetarpal, MD is a fellowship-trained, board-certified dermatologist who is currently an associate professor in dermatology at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation. She completed her undergraduate and medical education through the accelerated, 6-year BS/MD program at Northeast Ohio Medical University. She did her dermatology residency at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation and a fellowship in lasers and cosmetic surgery at SkinCare Physicians in Chestnut Hill, MA. Dr. Khetarpal has presented at both local and national professional meetings and has authored numerous book chapters in dermatologic textbooks and published many articles in peer-reviewed journals. She is actively involved in the Women’s Dermatologic Society, American Academy of Dermatology, American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, Ohio Dermatological Association, and American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery.

Ronda Farah, MD is an Associate tant Professor in the Department of Dermatology at the University of Minnesota. She is also Director of Medical Dermatology at the University of Minnesota Health Maple Grove Clinics and the Cosmetic Lead for the University of Minnesota Health. She is a member of the American Academy of Dermatology and has published numerous articles within her fields of expertise. Dr. Farah has special interests in energy based medicine, cosmetics and hair disease. She completed her medical education at the University of Minnesota Medical School and dermatology residency at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. She is an American Academy of Dermatology Social Media Correspondent.

Rishi Chopra MD, MS, FAAD is a Harvard fellowship-trained cosmetic dermatologist practicing at UnionDerm in New York, NY. He completed his advanced laser & aesthetics training at Massachusetts General Hospital and The Wellman Center for Photomedicine. He is recognized as an injectable, laser, and skin-of-color expert, and has been invited to speak at meetings such as the American Academy of Dermatology, American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery, and Vegas Cosmetic Surgery. Dr. Chopra was recognized as Pfizer’s Rising Derm Star in 2021 and a 2023 "4-Under-45 Medical Aesthetic Vanguard”, awarded to four physicians under the age of 45 who have significantly contributed to aesthetic medicine and poised to be the next generation of thought leaders. He has authored over 30 publications in peer-reviewed journals including The Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, The British Journal of Dermatology, and American Journal of Clinical Dermatology. Dr. Chopra also serves as an expert consultant to a variety of aesthetic device and cosmetic companies, helping develop the next generation of cutting-edge procedures and skincare.

Dr. Dover graduated as the silver medalist, Magna cum Laude from the University of Ottawa. His dermatology training was received at the University of Toronto followed by research fellowships at St. John’s Hospital for Diseases of the Skin at the University of London in London, England, and a two-year photomedicine fellowship at Harvard Medical School. Dr. Dover is a former Associate Professor of Dermatology at Harvard Medical School, was Chief of Dermatology at the New England Deaconess Hospital for over ten years and also Associate Chairman of Dermatology at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. He is Associate Clinical Professor of Dermatology at Yale University School of Medicine, and Associate Professor of Dermatology at Brown Medical School. Dr. Dover is a director of SkinCare Physicians in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. Dr. Dover is the author of over 550 scientific publications and he has co-authored and edited over 55 textbooks. He was founding editor of Journal Watch for Dermatology. Dr. Dover has received many honors including repeated nominations for “teacher of the year” at Harvard Medical School. He received the prestigious Leon Goldman Award, the Ellet Drake Award, and the Caroline and William Mark Memorial Awards of the American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery and he was honored for his work in laser surgery by the Sturge Weber Foundation at its 20th Annual Gala. Dr. Dover is past president of the American Society for Lasers in Medicine and Surgery and past present of the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery. He is married to Dr. Tania Phillips and has 2 daughters, Sophie and Isabel.

Eric F. Bernstein, M.D., M.S.E. received his B.S. from Duke University, summa cum laude with distinction in his major and his M.D. from the Yale University School of Medicine, where he served as Banner Bearer and Class President, and an M.S.E. in Management of Technology from the Engineering School/Wharton School at University of Pennsylvania. Following fellowships with the NCI at the NIH and Hahnemann University, he joined Jefferson Medical College, where he directed a photobiology laboratory and served as director of the Laser Surgery Center. Dr. Bernstein holds 14 U.S. patents, has authored over 100 scientific publications, and has given numerous presentations.

Dr. Bernstein currently directs Main Line Center for laser Surgery, an aesthetic laser practice in Ardmore, Pennsylvania, and proudly served as president of the ASLMS. Dr. Bernstein’s practice focuses heavily on clinical studies of new lasers and energy-based devices, and he actively participates in several science-based start-ups.

Dr. Kristen M. Kelly is a board certified dermatologist and Professor and Chair of the Department of Dermatology at the University of California (UC), Irvine. She attended UC Los Angeles as an undergraduate and medical student. She completed an internal medicine internship and then a dermatology residency at UC Irvine. After residency, Dr. Kelly was a fellow in photomedicine and biomedical optics at the Beckman Laser Institute and then obtained an academic appointment in the departments of dermatology and surgery at UC Irvine. In 2021, she started in her position as the first female Chair for the Department of Dermatology at UC Irvine. Her research has helped to optimize cutaneous vascular lesion treatment, evaluate cutaneous angiogenesis, and develop and evaluate novel dermatologic light based imaging and therapeutic options. She works with a number of patient advocacy groups including The Sturge Weber Foundation and The Vascular Birthmark Foundation. She has given over 300 lectures at local, national and international conferences and events and has authored over 140 scientific papers and 19 book chapters. Dr. Kelly is a fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology and her research has been funded by the American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery, Sturge Weber Foundation, Dermatology Foundation and National Institutes of Health.

Dr. Robert A. Weiss, MD, FAAD has served as President of three major dermatology and laser organizations and has served or is currently serving on Medical Advisory Boards of numerous companies in the aesthetic dermatology field. He is former Associate Professor of Dermatology at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and currently is an Associate Professor of Dermatology at the University of Maryland. His education included Columbia University, BA, Johns Hopkins U School of Medicine, MD and fellowship training in dermatology at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. He also sought additional fellowship training at the National Institutes of Health, Immunology Division. Besides serving as President of the American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery, American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, and the American College of Phlebology, he remains very active in teaching for ASDS, ASLMS, and the American Academy of Dermatology. Dr. Weiss has also served multiple years on the Board of the American Academy of Dermatology. Dr. Weiss has been a featured speaker for the AAD, ASDS, and ASLMS for over 25 years, as well as speaking at many other national and international dermatology and cosmetic societies. He has received numerous international awards of recognition. A prolific author of over 150 peer reviewed articles and a dozen textbooks including “Vein Diagnosis & Treatment: A Comprehensive Approach,” published by McGraw-Hill, and “Cosmetic Dermatology.”
Dr. Weiss has also served on the American Board of Dermatology, preparing questions for board certification of dermatologists. He is currently Fellowship Director of the ASDS cosmetic fellowship and mentors dermatology fellows in lasers, filler, botulinums and advanced vein treatments at the Maryland Dermatology, Laser, Skin and Vein Institute in Baltimore. Dr. Weiss also holds multiple patents for medical devices and biotechnologies. His expertise on cosmetic dermatology innovations has led to his appearances on TV shows such as “20/20” and “The Today Show.” Dr. Weiss has served as Assistant and Contributing Editor for the journal Dermatologic Surgery and Lasers in Surgery and Medicine. Dr. Weiss’ actively researches novel lasers and light sources for the treatment of photoaging, vascular lesions, and pigmented lesions as well as fillers and botulinum toxins. He has helped to develop new methods of non-invasive varicose vein treatments, such as endovenous ablation to replace stripping, and assisted with research leading to FDA clearance of newest methods of reversing photoaging by lasers and light sources. Dr. Weiss is actively participating as Principle Investigator in phase II and phase III FDA clinical trials for botulinums, fillers, lasers, energy based devices and dermatologic conditions such as eczema and vitiligo. Dr. Weiss receives frequent media requests for his opinions on the newest cosmetic treatments and devices. He is currently Director of Maryland Dermatology, Laser, Skin & Vein Institute funded in 1991.

Brian D. Zelickson, MD is a board-certified Dermatologist currently practicing in Minneapolis, Minnesota. After finishing high school in Minneapolis, he attended the University of Colorado and obtained a BA degree in Molecular and Developmental Biology. During his collegiate career, Brian sacrificed his attendance at the Buffs football games in order to learn the high-altitude arts of brewing beer and alpine skiing. Brian then rejoined his native flatlanders to attend Mayo Medical School in beautiful Rochester, Minnesota. During his medical education, genetic influences started to take hold, and his interest in Dermatology began to surface. He performed a red-eyed internship at Hennepin County Medical School before returning to the Mayo Clinic for his Dermatology residency. After his residency, he spent a short fellowship learning immunoelectron microscopy techniques with Dr. RA Briggaman at the University of North Carolina. Dr. Zelickson then returned to Minneapolis to join his father in private practice. He is currently practicing dermatology at Zel Skin and Laser Specialists and is the CEO of United Skin Specialists. He is also more than happily married with two lively children. Dr. Zelickson has authored over 50 articles and several book chapters and became interested in lasers somewhere along the line.

Dr. Lisa Arkin is an Associate Professor of Dermatology, Director of Pediatric Dermatology, and a Co-Director of the Birthmarks and Vascular Anomalies Center (BVAC) at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health. She studied American History at Brown University and graduated from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. She completed her residency in dermatology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, and a fellowship in pediatric dermatology at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia/University of Pennsylvania.

She is passionate about laser treamtent for vascular anomalies. In this realm, she has fostered research and clinical collaborations between laser surgeons and pediatric dermatologists, driven by the belief that synergy between fields is critical to understanding natural history, defining best practices, and improving outcomes. Her research primarily focuses on precision-based approaches to facial port wine birthmarks leveraging novel imaging, and investigation of potential downtream medical targets for therapy.

Walfre Franco is an Associate Professor and Interim Department Chair of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Massachusetts, Lowell. Before joining UMass, Dr. Franco was an Assistant Professor in the Department of Dermatology at Harvard Medical School and an Assistant in Biomedical Engineering at the Wellman Center for Photomedicine at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH). He received his Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from the Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering Department at the University of Notre Dame in the USA. His doctoral training was in heat transfer, fluid mechanics, and control. His postdoctoral training was in biomedical optics at the University of California, with appointments at the Department of Mechanical Engineering in Riverside and the Beckman Laser Institute in Irvine. After his postdoctoral training and before joining HMS and MGH, he worked as an engineer for a biomedical device company, where he led the translation of a radiofrequency (RF) device from concept to clinical establishment of safety and efficacy. At MGH, he developed technology for advancing skin wound healing and carbon monoxide poisoning treatments in collaboration with a multi-disciplinary engineering and clinical team. At UMass Lowell, Dr. Franco's research focuses on developing medical devices for treatment and diagnosis in partnership with clinicians.

Guillermo Aguilar

Department Head, Mechanical Engineering
Professor, Mechanical Engineering
James and Ada Forsyth Professor

Educational Background

Ph.D., Mechanical Engineering, University of California Santa Barbara - 1999
M.S., Mechanical Engineering, University of California Santa Barbara - 1995
B.S., Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, National Autonomous University of Mexico - 1993

Research Interests

Biological tissue thermal management/cryogenic spray cooling
Biomedical optics/biomaterials development and characterization
Non-invasive optical imaging
Medical laser applications/laser-tissue rewarming
Optical-induced cavitation/controlled surface erosion/mitigation

Awards & Honors

2023 American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering (AIMBE) Fellow
2021-Present Emeritus/Adjunct Professor of Mechanical Engineering UC Riverside
2020 American Society of Mechanical Engineering Fellow
2019 National Academy of Engineering of Mexico
2014 STAR Award: Educator of the Year (SHPE)
2003 American Society for Lasers in Medicine and Surgery (ASLMS) Fellow
2002-2007 Research Scientist Development Award
American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Member

Selected Publications

Alvarez C, Berrospe-Rodriguez C, Wu C, Pasek-Allen J, Khosla K, Bischof J, et al. Photothermal heating of titanium nitride nanomaterials for fast and uniform laser warming of cryopreserved biomaterials. Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology. 2022;10.
Gonzalez-Parra JC, Robles V, Devia-Cruz LF, Rodriguez-Beltran RI, Cuando-Espitia N, Camacho-Lopez S, et al. Mitigation of cavitation erosion using laser-induced periodic surface structures. Surfaces and Interfaces. 2022;29:101692.
Penilla E, Devia-Cruz L, Wieg A, Martinez-Torres P, Cuando-Espitia N, Sellappan P, et al. Ultrafast laser welding of ceramics. Science. 2019;365(6455):803-8.
Robles V, Gonzalez-Parra JC, Cuando-Espitia N, Aguilar G. The effect of scalable PDMS gas-entrapping microstructures on the dynamics of a single cavitation bubble. Scientific Reports. 2022;12(1):20379.
Robles V, Gutierrez-Herrera E, Devia-Cruz L, Banks D, Camacho-Lopez S, Aguilar G. Soft material perforation via double-bubble laser-induced cavitation microjets. Physics of Fluids. 2020;32(4):042005