2025 Legacy Leader

Dr. Jay Bhawalkar, Ph.D., is a trailblazer in the realm of photonics and non-linear optics. Armed with a doctoral degree in Physics from the University of Texas at Dallas, he began his academic career as an Assistant Professor at the University at Buffalo. There, he made groundbreaking contributions to multiphoton microscopy and two-photon photodynamic therapy.

Jay is at the forefront of developing a new focused energy-delivery technology that promises safe and effective treatments for patients of all skin types.

From 2003 to 2017, Dr. Bhawalkar climbed the ranks at Candela Corporation, ultimately serving as Vice President of R&D and spearheading the launch of several successful products. Today, he is the Chief Technology Officer at AVAVA, Inc., a cutting-edge medical device startup under Blossom Innovations, Inc. He is at the forefront of developing a new focused energy-delivery technology that promises safe and effective treatments for patients of all skin types.

Renowned for his expertise, Dr. Bhawalkar has received the prestigious Dr. Horace Furmoto Innovations Professional Development Distinguished Contributor Award from the American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery (ASLMS). He has authored over 40 publications, contributed to several book chapters, and holds more than 15 patents. As a Fellow of the ASLMS and a Senior Member of the Optical Society of America, he has also served on the ASLMS Board and reviews for numerous high-impact journals.