Bahman Anvari, PhD
Professor, Department of Bioengineering at University of California, Riverside
2019 Recipient of the Caroline and William Mark Memorial Award
ASLMS Member since 1998
Please share your background. How did your interest in lasers develop?
I obtained my bachelor’s degree in Biophysics from University of California, Berkeley, and PhD in Bioengineering from Texas A&M University. My interest in lasers and their use for biomedical applications was developed as a result of my working with Dr. Sohi Rastegar as my PhD mentor who introduced me to the field of photomedicine.
What led you to research and development for energy-based treatments?
My further research experience as a postdoctoral fellow under the mentorship of J. Stuart Nelson at the Beckman Laser Institute and Medical Clinic at UC Irvine on the development of the dynamic cooling in conjunction with laser treatment of cutaneous lesions (e.g., port wine stains) was a critical factor in my desire to pursue a scientific career in applications of energy-based systems in biomedicine.
Please explain your current research and describe the term Theranostics
Theranostic refers to combined therapeutics and diagnostics using a simple platform. My current research is related to engineering and biomedical applications of cell-derived micro- and nano-scale photo-activated theranostic platforms. As an example, we engineer such platforms from red blood cells and dope them with near infrared absorbers such as indocyanine green. We are currently exploring the utility of these platforms for imaging and phototherapy of tumors, and in photo-treatment of port wine stains using animal models.
Why is it important for those in research to be members of ASLMS?
ASLMS is a key professional society that brings together clinicians, basic scientists and industry in pursuit of clinical translation of advanced energy-based technologies. Therefore, ASLMS provides a forum in which all of these entities can learn about some of the developing technologies and how such technologies can be developed for clinical applications.
Please describe how your involvement in ASLMS contributed to your career.
ASLMS has provided an excellent platform for outreach so that our research activities can be introduced to the community interested in energy-based technologies. It has also been critical in allowing me to have the opportunity to interact with this community towards a common interest, which is ultimately improved healthcare through research and education.
Why should researchers early in their career become involved with ASLMS?
Getting to know the community is a key critical factor to build long-term relationships. The diverse composition of ASLMS provides the basis to build these relationships, particularly at an early stage.
View Dr. Anvari's ASLMS 2019 Honorary Award Presentation.
Learn more about becoming a member of ASLMS.