Horace Furumoto, PhD was born in Hawaii in 1933. Dr. Furumoto began his career in the sixties at AVCO in the laser weapons division, and then moved to NASA. He is credited with developing the worlds first practical dye laser.
In 1971, he founded Candela Laser Corporation and developed the extremely versatile flashlamp – excited dye laser (FEDL).
In 1992 in collaboration with Wellman Laboratories at Massachusetts General Hospital, Dr. Furumoto developed selective photothermolysis. Using this technology, he created devices that were used to treat birthmarks, kidney stones and glaucoma.
In 1991, Dr. Furumoto founded Cynosure, Inc. He introduced what became the Photo-Genica series of lasers, and spearheaded the use of the long pulse alexandrite lasers for hair removal. Dr. Furumoto retired in 2003.
Physics was Dr. Furumoto’s passion. He loved the process of thinking, calculating, designing, drawing, building, and testing ideas. During his career, Dr. Furumoto was awarded twenty-six U.S. patents and twenty-one international patents. He is considered a pioneer in medical laser technology innovation.
In multi million dollar contracts and individual promises, Dr. Furumoto always delivered, contributing to his lasting reputation as a faithful, sincere, and trustworthy colleague, mentor and partner.
Biographical information and photo courtesy of Cynosure.