The American Society for Laser Medicine & Surgery, Inc. (ASLMS) has named Juanita J. Anders, PhD, as president. Dr Anders took office at Laser 2014, the ASLMS annual scientific conference held in Phoenix, Arizona, and will serve for 1 year.

‘It is an honour to serve as President of ASLMS, the premier society and foremost resource for research and clinical applications of biomedical laser and other energy-based technologies,’ said Dr Anders.

‘The strength of ASLMS lies in the diversity of its membership. In the upcoming year, we will work to: increase interaction and cooperation of scientists, innovators, and clinicians who use lasers and other energy based technologies nationally and internationally; strengthen our ties with other national and international societies focused on laser and other energy-based technologies; and celebrate the International Year of Light and Light-based Technologies by highlighting the major advances that have taken place in the clinical arena.’

Dr Anders is a Professor of Anatomy, Physiology and Genetics and Professor of Neuroscience at Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences. She has held positions within ASLMS since 1991 including president-elect, vice president, committee chair, and board member.

She specialises in peripheral and central nervous system injury and repair mechanisms and light tissue interactions and is an expert on photobiomodulation.