Dr. Daniel Palanker is a Professor of Ophthalmology at Stanford University, and is the Director of the Hansen Experimental Physics Laboratory. He obtained his MSc in Physics in 1984 from Yerevan State University in Armenia, and received his PhD in Applied Physics in 1994 from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel. Dr. Palanker is currentlyresearching optical and electronic technologies for surgical, diagnostic, therapeutic, and prosthetic applications, primarily in the field of ophthalmology. Specifically in the field of biomedical optics, these studies include interferometric imaging of neural signals, and laser-tissue interactions, both with applications to retinal laser therapy and ocular surgery. In the field of electro-neural interfaces, Dr. Palanker is developing retinal prosthesis for sight restoration to blind individuals and is also developing implants for electronic control of organs. Several of his developments are in clinical practice world-wide, including: Pulsed Electron Avalanche Knife (PEAK PlasmaBlade, Medtronic Inc.), Patterned Scanning Laser Photocoagulator (PASCAL, Topcon Inc.), Femtosecond Laser System for Cataract Surgery (Catalys, Johnson&Johnson), Neural stimulator for enhanced tear secretion (TrueTear, Allergan Inc.). Photovoltaic Retinal Prosthesis (PRIMA, Pixium Vision) is in clinical trials.

Awards & Recognitions

• 2016: Bressler Prize in Vision Science
• 2019: Bartimaeus Award

Experience

• Professor (1996 - present)

  Palanker Lab

  Stanford University

• Scientific Advisor (2013 - 2024)

  Pixium Vision

• Postdoctoral Fellow (1996 - 1998)

  Stanford University

Education

• PhD, Applied Physics (1989 - 1994)

  The Hebrew University of Jerusalem

Honors & Awards

• Bartimaeus Award, The World Congress on Artificial Vision “The Eye and The Chip“ (2019)
• Bressler Prize in Vision Science, Lighthouse Guild (2016)
• Scientific Achievement Award, Alcon Research Institute (2016)
• Translational Research Award, International Society for Optics and Photonics (SPIE) (2014)
• R&D 100 Award, OptiMedica Corp. (2012)
• Medical Design Excellence Award, Canon Communications (2009)