Ophthalmology Professor Daniel Palanker accepts position as Interim HEPL Director for the 2016-17 Academic Year
Professor Daniel Palanker became the new Director of HEPL. Dr. Palanker is the twelfth person to oversee and direct the lab's activities during its 65-year history, beginning in 1951, when the lab was founded as the Stanford "High Energy Physics Lab" (abbreviated HEPL).
In 1990, the lab was renamed the "W.W. Hansen Experimental Physics Lab", honoring pioneering physicist and engineer, William W. Hansen.
The directorship of HEPL is a rotating position among the faculty members whose research programs are administered by HEPL. Having just completed her three-year term as HEPL Director, Professor Sarah Church is becoming a senior associate vice provost for Undergraduate Education.
Professor Palanker is working at the interface of physics and medicine. His group studies interactions of electric field with biological cells and tissues, and develops optical and electronic technologies for diagnostic, therapeutic, surgical and prosthetic applications, primarily in ophthalmology. These studies include laser-tissue interactions with applications to ocular therapy and surgery, as well as interferometric imaging of neural signaling. Dr. Palanker is also developing various electro-neural interfaces, including retinal prosthesis for restoration of sight to the blind, and electronic control of secretory glands and blood vessels.
Several of his developments are in clinical practice world-wide: Pulsed Electron Avalanche Knife (PEAK PlasmaBlade), Patterned Scanning Laser Photocoagulator (PASCAL), and OCT-guided Laser System for Cataract Surgery. Several others are in clinical trials: Gene therapy of the retinal pigment epithelium; Neural stimulation for enhanced tear secretion (TearBud, Allergan Inc.); Smartphone-based ophthalmic diagnostics and monitoring (DigiSight Inc.).
Dr. Palanker is going to lead a transition of HEPL into a hub for physics-centered interdisciplinary collaborations at Stanford, representing multi-faceted interfaces of Physics with Engineering, Neuroscience and Medicine.
