To understand where SpectraGenics is headed, we invite you to learn more about the people leading the way. Our team of management professionals brings a wealth of experience to ensure that SpectraGenics continues to forge ahead as an industry leader in therapeutic, light-based devices for the global consumer market.


Robert E. Grove, Ph.D.
Co-Founder, President and CEO

Most recently, Robert Grove served as co-founder and president of Star Medical Technologies where he helped create the company’s flagship product line, LightSheer™, which remains a market leader. Having managed over 100 employees and achieving revenues in excess of $50 million, Dr. Grove fully understands aesthetic laser technology and what it takes to be successful.

Dr. Grove obtained his doctorate in laser applications and a Masters of Science in Aeronautics and Astronautics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. His education also includes a Bachelor of Science with Distinction in Engineering Physics from Cornell University. Dr. Grove has served in executive management in the medical laser industry for over twenty years.

In addition to his professional accomplishments, Grove belongs to the American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery and holds seven U.S. patents in the field of medical lasers and applications.


Tobin C. Island, Ph.D.
Co-Founder, Executive Vice President

A proven leader, Tobin Island directed an engineering group of approximately 30 employees and developed seven models of the LightSheer™ laser for physician-directed hair removal. Since its inception, the product has generated more than $300 million in revenues. Prior to this, Dr. Island was Senior Director of Operations with Lumenis and Project Leader for Star Medical Technologies where he led the research and development of a novel laser-based imaging system while improving product reliability and enhancing numerous corporate processes for increased profit and efficiency.

Dr. Island received his Ph.D. and Masters in Mechanical Engineering from Stanford University with an emphasis in laser diagnostics and fluid mechanics. He also received a Bachelors of Science from Stanford. Island has published five scientific papers and is a member of the American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery.


Mark V. Weckwerth, Ph.D.
Co-Founder, Executive Vice President

Before co-founding SpectraGenics, Mark Weckwerth was head of research and development for the Aesthetic Business Unit of Lumenis, Inc. In this position, he managed a group of over 75 scientists, engineers, and technicians in both the U.S. and Israel, who were responsible for the design and development of laser and flashlamp-based medical devices intended for use by physicians for cosmetic dermatologic applications. In prior positions as Director of Research and Development with Coherent Star, Inc. and Star Medical Technologies, Inc., Dr. Weckwerth contributed to the design and development of the LightSheer Diode Laser System.

Mark Weckwerth has co-founded or had early participation in several hi-tech startups including Focaltron, Inc., Wecktech Systems, Inc., and Star Medical Technologies, Inc. Additional companies Dr. Weckwerth has worked with include Sandia National Laboratories where he used MOCVD to grow InAlGaN, the material system used in blue LED’s and lasers.

Dr. Weckwerth received fellowships from AT&T Bell Laboratories, the 3M Foundation and Eastman Kodak, holds six U.S. patents, and has published numerous scientific papers. He graduated from Stanford University with a Masters and Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, and from the University of Minnesota with a Bachelor in Science in the same area of expertise.


Jonathan T. Pearson
Co-Founder, Executive Vice President of Asia Pacific Operations

Jon Pearson brings an international dimension to the SpectraGenics team. Prior to co-founding SpectraGenics, Jon was Executive Vice President, Asia Pacific Operations of Lumenis, Inc. where he had management responsibilities for the company's Asian operations. Under his management, Asia grew to $97.8 million in annual revenues with a team of 176 people, and two years running was Lumenis' most profitable sales territory with direct operations in both Japan and China. Prior to joining Lumenis, Jon served as Director, Asia Pacific for Coherent Medical Group, where he achieved nine consecutive quarters of revenue over plan, growing his region to be the highest international revenue and profit producing area for the medical division.

Jon holds a Masters degree in International Management from the American Graduate School of International Management in Arizona, and a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Washington.


Kevin J. Appelbaum
Chief Commercial Officer

Kevin has spent his 19-year business career working with branded consumer product and service companies in every stage of development as both an operating executive and strategic advisor to global consumer enterprises.

Prior to joining SpectraGenics, Kevin was a senior executive with Sephora, the world's largest specialty retailer of beauty products and part of Paris-based LVMH Group. Before that, he gained additional operating and business leadership experience with Procter & Gamble, PepsiCo and as CEO of venture capital backed e-retailer Tavolo, Inc.

As a management consultant with Hawk Hill Advisors, LLC, Kevin led consulting engagements focused on accelerating growth through new business innovation, commercializing disruptive new products and forming corporate alliances to exploit new business opportunities. Clients included Procter & Gamble, Chiquita, Motorola, Bare Escentuals and AT&T Wireless, among others.

Kevin received his bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Pennsylvania and began his career as an Army infantry officer.


Harvey Liu, Ph.D.
Vice President of Engineering

Harvey Liu brings over nine years of research and development experience in medical devices to the SpectraGenics team. Prior to joining SpectraGenics, Dr. Liu was a senior system engineer at Carl Zeiss Meditec, responsible for the non-invasive ophthalmic anterior chamber optical coherent tomography (OCT) product development. He also managed the engineering team and contributed to the development of several key cosmetic laser and UV treatment products including the LightSheer™, BClear™ and ReLume™ during his tenure at Star Medical, Coherent Medical, and Lumenis. Harvey holds a BS degree in electrical engineering from California Institute of Technology and a Ph.D. degree in semiconductor device research from Stanford University.


Ross Portaro
Vice President of Sales

Ross brings 23 years of medical laser sales experience to SpectraGenics, 18 of which were spent in the aesthetic laser industry. He has been extremely successful in introducing new aesthetic laser applications such as hair removal, vascular lesions and skin rejuvenation to the global marketplace. During his career, Ross has managed and directed sales forces in both the United States and Europe. In his most recent position, Ross served as the Director of Sales for Lumenis Inc. Prior to Lumenis, Ross served as Director of European Sales for Cutera Inc., and held sales management positions with Coherent Medical, and Candela Inc. Ross holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Commerce from the University of Virginia.


LightSheer™, BClear™ and ReLume™ are trademarks of Lumenis.