Before co-founding SpectraGenics, Mark Weckwerth was head of research and development for the Aesthetic Business Unit of Lumenis, Inc. In this position, he managed a group of over 75 scientists, engineers, and technicians in both the U.S. and Israel, who were responsible for the design and development of laser and flashlamp-based medical devices intended for use by physicians for cosmetic dermatologic applications. In prior positions as Director of Research and Development with Coherent Star, Inc. and Star Medical Technologies, Inc., Dr. Weckwerth contributed to the design and development of the LightSheer Diode Laser System. Mark Weckwerth has co-founded or had early participation in several hi-tech startups including Focaltron, Inc., Wecktech Systems, Inc., and Star Medical Technologies, Inc. Additional companies Dr. Weckwerth has worked with include Sandia National Laboratories where he used MOCVD to grow InAlGaN, the material system used in blue LED’s and lasers. Dr. Weckwerth received fellowships from AT&T Bell Laboratories, the 3M Foundation and Eastman Kodak, holds six U.S. patents, and has published numerous scientific papers. He graduated from Stanford University with a Masters and Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, and from the University of Minnesota with a Bachelor in Science in the same area of expertise.