The Annual Conference of the North American Association for Laser Therapy

Biographies of 2009 Conference Speakers

Invited Speakers

Jan Tunér - KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Lars Hode - KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Praveen R Arany
Mary Dyson

Abstract Speakers

Juanita Anders
Christina Backstrom
James D Carroll
Dr Arun Darbar
Dr Rita Darbar
Tomas Hode
Peter Jenkins
G.Reza Khakpour
Hyunjung Kim
Steve Liu
Dr. Soheila Mokmeli
Margaret A. Naeser
David Rindge
Gerald_Ross
Dr. Curtis Turchin
Cathy Ulrich
Dr. Michael Weber
Dr. Harry T. Whelan

Invited Speakers
	Jan Tunér Jan Tunér graduated at the Institute Odontology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden in 1968. After five years in governmental clinics he started his private practice in 1975 and is still a practicing general dentist. His first laser machine was acquired in 1986 and laser has since then been a daily feature in his clinic. His first book on laser therapy was written in 1992 together with Lars Hode. Four additional books have been published by these authors and the 6th is in the pipeline. In 1989 Lars Hode and Jan started the Swedish Laser-Medical Society and launched the website "LaserWorld". He has been lecturing for MSci students at several foreign universities and is currently involved in a number of laser-periodontitis studies at his Alma Mater. Since the year 2000 he has been the membership secretary of the World Association for Laser Therapy and in charge of its website and eNewsletter. He is also a board member of the European division of World Federation for Laser Dentistry. Presentation Title: Laser phototherapy - expanding general dentistry [top]
	Lars G.V.T. Hode Website: www.laserworld.org Website: http://www.hode.com (in Swedish) Education Summary 1966-1971 Royal Institute of Technology, Maser of Technology, Physics 1971-1975 Institute of Optical Research, Dr of Science. Theses: Real Time Speckle Interferometry Specialty: Optical radiation and its application in medicine. Other Relevant Activities Founder (1989) and chairman of the Swedish Laser-Medical Society (SLMS). Author and co-author of several books in laser medicine. Teaching in Sweden and other countries. Presentation Title: Adverse effects of Laser Phototherapy; is cancer a contraindication? [top]
	Praveen R Arany B.D.S., M.D.S., (Ph.D.) Harvard University Praveen R Arany is trained as a Dentist and an Oral Pathologist from India. Following two postdoctoral fellowships in basic sciences, first at the Indian Institute of Sciences, Bangalore and then at the National Cancer Institute, NIH, Bethesda he explored the role of Transforming Growth Factor-beta in laser wound healing, tissue regeneration, radiation responses and malignant transformation that have resulted in many peer reviewed publications. He has been awarded many awards for his scientific achievements like the NCI Director's Young Investigator Award, NIH Merit award, Wound Healing Society's Young Investigator Award, Indian Academy of Oral Pathologist best paper and poster awards. He has also been invited to speak in various national and international forums. Among his major research interests, Dr. Arany has been exploring the photomolecular mechanisms to direct specific biological processes especially tissue regeneration. His other major area of interest is the fascinating molecular dichotomy of wounds and tumors with emphasis on cell signaling regulatory networks. He is presently a Harvard Presidential Scholar currently pursuing a unique inter-disciplinary joint PhD-Residency program across multiple Harvard institutes including the Harvard School of Dental Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Harvard School of Engineering & Applied Sciences and Brigham & Women's Hospital under the auspices of the Harvard Integrated Life Sciences (HILS) program focused on a future career as a clinical-translation researcher. His work is funded by the NIDCR, NIH and HHMI. Presentation Title: LLLT Activated Latent TGF-betas: a potential molecular mechanism in mediating its Oral Wound Healing and Dentinal Repair [top]
	Mary Dyson BSc, PhD, FCSP(Hon), FAIUM(Hon) Mary Dyson was appointed Emeritus Reader in the Biology of Tissue Repair, King's College London, in 1998. She is currently a biomedical consultant, international speaker, examiner, reviewer, editor and author specializing in tissue repair, phototherapy, ultrasound therapy and high frequency diagnostic ultrasound. Web site: www.marydyson.com e-mail: Presentation Title: How the systemic effects of phototherapy mediated by the neuroendocrine immune system modulate tissue repair [top]
Abstract Speakers
	Director: Dr. Juanita J. Anders, Ph.D. Dr. Juanita J. Anders is a Professor of Anatomy, Physiology and Genetics at Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences. She also has a secondary appointment as Professor of Neuroscience at USUHS. She received her Ph.D. in Anatomy from the University of Maryland Medical School and specializes in peripheral and central nervous system injury and repair mechanisms. While at the National Institutes of Health in the Laboratory of Neuropathology and Neuroanatomical Sciences, NINDS, she specialized in glial/ neuronal interaction in normal and injured nervous tissue. Since joining USUHS, her research interests have expanded to the use of light as a non-invasive therapy for deep tissue injuries and the interaction of light with pluripotent cells. Her research on the use of light applied non-invasively for repair of spinal cord injury has received international attention. She is recognized as an expert in light therapy and has been invited to speak and chair sessions at numerous international laser conferences. Dr. Anders serves on the Executive Councils and Scientific Advisory Boards of several laser societies. She is also the Basic Sciences Representative on the Board of ASLMS. She is the past president of the North American Association of Laser Therapy and a founding member of the International Academy of Laser Medicine and Surgery. She serves on the Editorial Boards of Photomedicine and Laser Surgery and Lasers in Surgery and Medicine and as a reviewer for several other journals. She has published over 50 peer reviewed articles. Presentation Title: Repair of Nervous System Injuries [top]
	Christina Backstrom Bio to come Presentation Title: Treatment of Chronic and Slowly Healing Wounds with Laser Phototherapy - An Improved Concept [top]
	James D Carroll FRSM, AMInstP Founder & CEO THOR Photomedicine Fellow Royal Society of Medicine Assoc Member Institute Physics Editor Photomedicine and Laser Surgery Literature watch WEB SITE: www.thorlaser.com BLOG: blog.thorlaser.com James Carroll, founder and CEO of THOR Photomedicine has been involved in the design and manufacture of low level laser and LED Therapy products since 1998 and speaks internationally on beam measurement, dose rate effects, and the special requirements for LLLT laboratory studies. Presentation Title: Sperm Motility Enhancement with Low Level Laser and LED Photobiomodulation. A Dose Response Study [top]
	Dr Arun Darbar Dr Arun Darbar has been using lasers in his dental practice for the past two decades. He has his private practice in the town of Leighton Buzzard in the UK. He is dedicated to providing cutting edge dentistry to his patients and is an examiner for the Academy of laser dentistry and is on the credentialing committee of the British Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. He is an invited speaker at Liverpool University for the dentistry module for the MSc engineering students. A founder member of the World Clinical Laser Institute, he continues to find newer applications for the lasers and lectures extensively on the subject. He also runs courses and trains dentists both in the UK and internationally. Presentation Title: Laser Dentistry � The Way Forward [top]
	Dr Rita Darbar At present Dr Rita Darbar runs her Specialist Orthodontic practice and is also a locum Consultant in Orthodontics at Bedford Hospital. She has had a varied career in dentistry spanning over 30 years, working in the community Dental services, General practice and Hospital services. She enjoys working in a multidisciplinary environment has been interested in laser dentistry for the past 8 years and has talked on the subject internationally. Presentation Title: Laser Dentistry � The Way Forward [top]
	Tomas Hode, PhD Tomas Hode, PhD, has a background in the field of Astrobiology, where he (among other things) worked with photosynthetic microorganisms in hotspring environments. Recently, his interest in photobiology and photochemistry has turned his attention to the primary mechanisms of laser therapy. Tomas Hode's previous research has been funded by grants from NASA, the National Science Foundation, the Swedish National Space Board, and the Swedish Research Council. Presentation Title: Phototherapy and Cancer [top]
	Peter A. Jenkins, MBA Peter A. Jenkins, MBA, began his long and exciting adventure in the world of laser phototherapy in Australia in 1996, when he formed SpectraMedics Pty Ltd. Since then Peter has worked with and consulted to a number of laser phototherapy companies around the world, and is a co-founder of the Australian Medical Laser Association. In 2005 he moved to the USA and started SpectraVET, Inc., manufacturer of the leading brand in veterinary laser phototherapy devices. Peter's technical background includes the specification and development of laser phototherapy devices for reliability, affordability and-most importantly-efficacy, and he is driven to create technologies that enable practitioners to optimize their patients' clinical outcomes. A prolific writer and passionate educator, Peter sees market education as the key to improving standards in the laser phototherapy industry and holding manufacturers and marketers accountable for the claims they make. His knowledge, experience and integrity recently earned him the endorsement by Lars Hode as "one of the most respected authorities in the field of laser phototherapy". Peter is Chief Executive Officer of Irradia, LLC., the US-based subsidiary of the world's oldest and most trusted laser phototherapy equipment manufacturer, and also sits as an Executive Director on the Board of ImmunoPhotonics, Inc., a research-oriented company in the frontline of cancer immunotherapy research. Presentation Title: The Clinical Implication of Laser Phototherapy Device Design and Treatment Technique [top]
	G.Reza Khakpour MD, Urologist, MCCEE(C), CCRF(C) Bio to come Presentation Title: Treatment of Chronic nonbacterial prostatitis (NBP) with Infrared Low Intensity Laser Therapy (ILILT) Versus Conventional Drug Therapy [top]
	Hyunjung Kim Biography of Hyunjung Kim: Student, Department of Medical Engineering, School of Technology and Health, Royal Institute of Technology, Sweden Member of : The Swedish Association of Engineers Presentation Title: MID-Laser Therapy - A Potential Approach to Reduce Pain in Dysmenorrhea [top]
	Steve Liu Steve Liu, L.Ac., BSEE, has a BS in Electrical Engineering, San Jose State University, San Jose, CA. He specializes in Laser Acupuncture in Tucson, Arizona and has written articles on Laser Acupuncture, published in the California Journal of Oriental Medicine (CJOM), by the California State Oriental Medical Association (CSOMA), and presented similar topics in the American Association of Oriental Medicine (AAOM) 2006 annual conference. Mr. Liu is also a member of the International Society for Optical Engineering (SPIE). He is President Emeritus of the Arizona Society of Oriental Medicine and Acupuncture (AzSOMA) and the founding member and President of American Society for Laser Acupuncture Therapy (ASLAT). Presentation Title: An Integrative Approach to Cure Chronic Soft Tissue Injury [top]
	Dr. Soheila Mokmeli MD, Anesthesiologist Date and place of birth: 1966, Zanjan, Iran Email: , Address: Department of Medical Laser, Milad Hospital, Hemmat Exp. Way, Tehran, Iran Tel: 0098-21-88068447, 0098-21-88062344, 0098-21-88062349 Fax number: 0098-21-88062344 Education: MD in Faculty of medicine of Tehran University, 1984-1991 Residency of Anesthesiology, Faculty of medicine of Tehran University, 1991-1994 Board of Anesthesiology, 1995 Diploma of laser Medicine - Russian State Research Center of Laser Medicine 2002 Diploma of Advanced Course in Laser therapy - Swedish Laser-Medical Society (SLMS) 2005 Career: Teaching in Faculty of Medicine of Zanjan University, 1995-2001 Head of Department of Anesthesiology at the Hakim Hidaj and Emam Hossein Hospitals in zanjan, Iran, 1996-2001 Head of Pain center in Laser department of Milad Hospital, Tehran, Iran, since 2002 The research manager of laser department of Milad Hospital since 2004 The head and director of laser workshops and Laser Post Graduate Diploma (PGD) in Iranian medical laser Association, Science & Research center of Islamic Azad University of Iran, Medical faculty of Beheshti University and Iranian pain society. Memberships: Iranian Society of Anesthesiologists, 1995 Iranian pain society, (IPS) 2001 International Association for study of Pain, (IASP) 2002 Board member of Iranian medical laser Association, (IMLA), 2005 -2009 World Association of Laser Therapy (WALT), 2006 European Medical Laser Association (EMLA) 2007 Publications: Co-author of the book of laser therapy, Published by IMLA (Farsi), 2005 Author of the book of the principle of low level laser therapy, published by IMLA (Farsi), 2005 Co-author of the book of Heart and Dysrhythmia (Farsi), 2006 Co-author of the book of Laser in Medicine and surgery (the book of European Medical Laser Association, English) 2009 Articles: Authored and coauthored of 42 researches in medical laser and pain managing that all presented in international congress and awarded for best presentation in Laser congress of EMLA in 2007. Presentation Title: Low-level Laser Therapy (LLLT) in Cesarean Wound Healing in Normal Healthy Women [top]
	Margaret A. Naeser, Ph.D., Lic.Ac. Margaret Naeser is Research Professor of Neurology, Boston University School of Medicine. She is a graduate of the New England School of Acupuncture, and is a licensed acupuncturist in Massachusetts. She studied laser acupuncture in Shanghai, China, in 1985. She has published four papers on acupuncture/laser acupuncture to treat paralysis in stroke patients and has written two invited reports for the FDA (1994) and the NIH (1997) on this topic. She has published two papers on laser acupuncture to treat carpal tunnel syndrome, and has one book on Laser Acupuncture, and one book on Chinese Herbal Patent Medicines. Her current area of research is with functional fMRI and transcranial magnetic brain stimulation to improve speech in stroke patients with aphasia (Harvard Medical School and the Boston V.A. Medical Center). Presentation Title: Transcranial, High-intensity, LED Therapy to Treat cognitive Dysfunctionin Chronic, Mild traumatic Brain Injury: Case Report [top]
	David Rindge David Rindge, DOM, LAc, RN has been actively involved in laser therapy since 1997 and founded the Florida Independent Investigational Review Board for LASER Acupuncture Research in 2001. He has been training licensed, health care professionals in laser therapy through Healing Light Seminars and writing and as a regular columnist on laser therapy for Acupuncture Today since 2002. David is co-author of Laser Therapy; A Clinical Manual, Secretary of the North American Association for Laser Therapy and President Emeritus of the Florida State Oriental Medical Association. He received Conscious Living Partnerships' Leader of Innovative Medicine Award in 2005 and has more than 35 years health care experience as a doctor of oriental medicine, acupuncture physician, perfusionist, respiratory therapist and registered nurse. Presentation Title: De Qi, Needles and Laser Acupuncture [top]
	Dr. Gerry Ross, DDS Dr. Gerry Ross has been practicing dentistry for over 30 years in Tottenham, Ontario as a general dentist who specializes in TMJ Treatment. He has been using lasers, both low level and surgical, since 1990 and has lectured extensively in Canada, the United States and Internationally. He holds advanced proficiency status from the Academy of Laser Dentistry (ALD) and a fellowship from the American Society of Laser Medicine and Surgery (ASLMS). In October 2008, Dr. Ross presented a paper and chaired a dental session at the World Association of Laser Therapy (WALT) Meeting held in South Africa. Dr. Ross has written many articles on the use of Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) in Dentistry, which have been published in such journals as Ontario Dentist, Oral Health, the Journal of the ALD and, most recently, the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD). Dr. Ross holds memberships in the ALD, ASLMS, Ontario and Canadian Dental Associations, WALT, and has recently become a board member of the North American Association of Laser Therapy (NAALT). Presentation Title: Craniofacial Pain Treatment for Health Professionals
	Curtis Turchin, M.A., D.C. Curtis Turchin, M.A., D.C. has a bachelor's degree in pre-medical studies and psychology from the University of Southern California., a master's degree in Education from San Francisco State University, and a doctor of chiropractic from Palmer College. Dr. Turchin has been using lasers for the treatment of acute and chronic pain for more than 23 years. He was Director of Clinical Sciences for Bales Scientific, the developer of the first FDA cleared light device. He has published 3 books, more than 20 journal articles, and has been extensively interviewed on radio and television. Dr. Turchin is the author of the new text, Light and Laser Therapy: Clinical Procedures, described as the authoritative text on clinical laser treatment as well as Treating Addictions with Laser Therapy, the only book and DVD published on this unique subject. He is in private practice with a medical doctor near San Francisco using low force manual therapy techniques and laser therapy. He has taught seminars all across the United States, in Canada, England, France, Brazil, Guatemala, and Japan. Presentation Title: The Effect of High dosages of Low level Laser Therapy on Ligamentous Patellar Hypermobility [top]
	Cathy Ulrich, P.T., Certified Advanced Rolfer® Cathy Ulrich is a Physical Therapist and Certified Advanced Rolfer® currently working in private practice where she integrates low level lasers with manual therapy techniques. She also serves as Director of Education for a company which distributes laser systems and provides education and support for professionals and end users. Cathy is a published author, writing for publications including Massage & Bodywork Magazine, BodySense Magazine. She published articles in 2008 in Advance for Physical Therapists and PT Assistants and Advance for Directors of Rehabilitation on the integration of low level lasers into physical therapy practice. Cathy is currently enrolled in the transitional Doctor of Physical Therapy program at A.T. Still University, Arizona School of Health Sciences in Mesa, Arizona. She will be completing her DPT in November, 2009. Presentation Title: Low Level Laser Enhances Spinal Mobilization [top]
	Michael Weber, MD,GP Degreed Biochemist General Medicine, Natural Medicine, Emergency Medicine, Acupuncture Authorized educator for General Medicine, Natural Medicine and Acupuncture of the Medical Association of Hannover, Lower Saxony President of the European Association for Biological Laser Therapy and Acupuncture(EGLA), Hospital Neu Mariahilf Göttingen, Co-editor of the Journal "Pain and Acupuncture" Chairman and general manager of Webermedical GmbH, Sohnreystrasse 6, 37697 Lauenförde Tel: +495273/367780, Fax: +495273/3677819 Mail: Internet: www.webermedical.com Medical center Lönsstrasse 10, D-37697 Lauenförde, Germany tel.: +495273/8455, fax.: +495273/7450 Mob.: +49/1721637368 Mail: Internet: www.egla.de Weber Institut Hospital Neu Mariahilf Humboldtallee 10 - 12, D-37073 Göttingen, Germany tel.: +49551/50429660, fax.: +49551/50429669 Mail: Internet: www.weberinstitut.de 1950 Born in Hofgeismar, Germany 1968-1974 Studies of Chemistry and Biochemistry with Diploma in University of Marburg in Germany 1974-1976 Highschool teacher in chemistry, biology and physics 1976-1983 Medical studies, University of Göttingen, Germany, 1983 Medical doctor 1983-1984 Research Max Planck Institute for Experimental Medicine in the field of gastrointestinal hormones, Göttingen, Germany 1984-1987 Assistant doctor University clinic of Göttingen, department of internal medicine, gastroenterology and cardiology 1987-1988 Assistant doctor in general and trauma surgery St. Ansgar Hospital Höxter, Germany Since 1988 Own medical clinic in Lauenförde/Germany for general and internal medicine 2000 Acupuncture A-and B-diploma 2001 Opening of a specialized center for acupuncture and related techniques in Lauenförde/Germany 2006 Opening of a second medical center for acupuncture and laser treatment and research at the Hospital Neu Mariahilf, University of Göttingen Authorized educator for general medicine, natural medicine and acupuncture of the government medical association in Hannover, Lower Saxony President of the European Society of Biological Laser Therapy and Acupuncture, Göttingen, Germany President of the American Association of Biological Laser Therapy and Acupuncture (AALA) Co-editor of the Journal "Pain and Acupuncture" Member of the Editorial Board of "Medical Acupuncture", the official journal of the American Academy of Medical Acupuncture Member of the following societies: European society of Biological Laser Therapy and Acupuncture (EGLA) American Association for Biological Laser Therapy and Acupuncture (AALA) European Medical Laser Association (EMLA) European Academy for Acupuncture and Auriculomedicine (DAAAM) German Medical Association for Acupuncture (DÄGfA) German Association for Acupuncture and Neuraltherapy (DGfAN) Austrian Society for Controlled Acupuncture (OGKA) American Academy of Medical Acupuncture (AAMA) Lectures: Annual lectures since 2002 on the congresses of the European Academy of Acupuncture and Auriculomedicine on spring and fall congress twice every year Annual congress of the Austrian Society for Controlled Acupuncture 2002, 2004, 2005 Annual congress of the DÄGfA, Germany 2004 Annual congress of the DGfAN, Germany 2004 and 2005 World congress of orthopaedics 2004, University of Mainz, Germany Arab health congress Dubai 2005 World congress in homeopathy and acupuncture, university of Khota Bahru, Malaysia 2003 Annual congress of the American Academy of Medical Acupuncture, 2005, 2008 Washington, USA International congress for acupuncture, Yeddah Saudi Arabia, May 2007 World congress of ICMART ( International council of acupuncture and related techniques ) in Edinburgh, UK, 2002, Washington 2005, Prague 2006, Barcelona 2007, Budapest 2008 Meeting of Care (Council for acupuncture research and education), Charlottesville, Virginia, USA 2008 World congress of the European Medical Laser Association (EMLA), Prague, Czech Republic 2007, Helsinki, Finland 2008 International congress of traditional Chinese medicine in Graz, Austria 2004, 2005, 2006, Vienna 2007 and Graz 2008 International congress of the European Society for Biological Laser Therapy and Acupuncture University of Göttingen, Germany 2006, 2007 and 2008 International congress of the Iranian Heart Association in collaboration with the American College of Cardiology, Teheran, Iran, November 2008 Publications Weber M.; Acupuncture with laserneedles - a new therapeutical dimension in the medical practise. Der Schmerz 2001; Band 15 Supplement 1: 73-74 Weber M.; Experience report on laserneedle therapy - a new therapeutical dimension in medical practice.; Der Akupunkturarzt, Auriculotherapeut, EuropÄische Zeitschrift f�r Akupunktur. 2/2002; 28: 31-38 Weber M. Laserneedle for combined laserneedle electro acupuncture German Patent No..102004032394.1 Weber M. Laserneedle therapy - an innovation in acupuncture. NaturaMed, 10/2002; 17: 33 Weber M. Device for acupuncture by laser irradiation. German utility patent 20309976.1, International PCT /DE 2004/000960 Weber M. Device for the fixation of at least one laserneedle at the patient's body 20115555.9; European patent PCT/EP02/10498 Weber M. The new laserneedle acupuncture in clinical application. World Journal of Traditional Chinese Orthopedics. 2004; No.1 Vol.6: 22 Weber M, Ruth M, Zenz M. Examination of the efficiency of laser acupuncture for chronic lumbar spine disorders. In preparation. Weber M. Vorrichtung zur intravasalen Laserblutbestrahlung und Verfahren zur Herstellung eines Einmal-Katheters f�r eine solche Vorrichtung. Deutsche Patentanmeldung 10 2005 019 006.5-55; www.webermedical.com Weber M. Der blaue Laser. Schmerz & Akupunktur, 2006, 32, 4:208-210 Weber, M. Needles of Light, American Journal of medical Acupuncture 10/2007 Weber M. The intravenous laser therapy, German Journal for Acupuncture and related Techniques, 10/2007 Co-author of the book: Laserneedle acupuncture, pabst Science Publishers 2006 (in German, English and corean) Co-Author of the German Journal "Pain and Acupuncture Member of the editorial Board of "Medical Acupuncture" Presentation Title: The New Laser Needle Acupuncture in Clinical Applications [top]
	Harry T. Whelan, M.D. Bleser Professor of Neurology Medical College of Wisconsin, CSO Luminary Biosciences, LLC Dr. Harry Whelan, a Milwaukee native, is the Bleser Endowed Professor of Neurology, Pediatrics and Hyperbaric Medicine at the Medical College of Wisconsin, and is a Captain and a Diving Medical Officer (DMO) in the U.S. Navy and a consultant to the Navy Experimental Diving Unit (NEDU). He currently serves as the Senior Undersea Medical Officer for the "Deep Submergence Unit", which is the Navy's submarine rescue team, and its deep sea research component. He began diving in 1968, and developed his interest in cellular metabolism during a National Science Foundation Summer Research Program in biochemistry at Wesleyan University in Connecticut. Later, after graduating cum laude in chemistry (biochemistry option) from the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee, he attended the University of Wisconsin Medical School in Madison, where he received his M.D. degree. He completed pediatrics internship and residency training at the University of Florida in Gainesville, and a neurology fellowship at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis. Dr. Whelan then joined the faculty of Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN. While there he developed a laboratory research project involving new types of treatment for brain tumors. For this he received the American Cancer Society's Clinical Oncology Career Development Award. Moving back to Milwaukee, he became Professor of Neurology and Pediatrics at the Medical College of Wisconsin. There he joined the U.S. Naval Reserve. He formed research ties with the Hyperbaric Medicine Unit at Medical College of Wisconsin, and the U.S. Navy Experimental Diving Unit in Panama City, FL. There the navy trained him at its dive school to become a Diving Medical Officer. When he was promoted to full Commander, his fellow officer pinned his new rank onto his uniform in an underwater ceremony 190 feet below sea level. He has since been promoted to Captain in the U.S. Navy. Dr. Whelan continued his research with funding and collaboration from NASA Marshall Space Flight Center. Using space based light-emitting diode (LED) technologies developed for growing plants on the Space Shuttle, he now has over fifteen years experience conducting studies on the use of near-infrared light for photodynamic therapy of cancer and, in combination with hyperbaric oxygen, for stimulation of human tissue growth and wound healing, during space flight and for patients here on earth. More recently, he has done extensive research on Combat Casualty Care for DARPA as a principle investigator and is currently conducting research on the use of hyperbaric medicine for stroke patients. He currently is Principal Investigator on a grant from the National Institutes of Health, studying near-infrared light therapy for neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson's Disease. Dr. Whelan assumed Directorship of the Medical College of Wisconsin's Hyperbaric Unit in 1998. He has over 80 publications including neurology, cancer, laser, LED and diving/hyperbaric studies. Presentation Title: Near-infrared Light as a Possible Treatment Option for Parkinson's Disease and Laser Eye Injury [top]