Svanberg Receives Highest Honor from SPIE

Katarina Svanberg, professor and chief consultant of oncology at Lund University Hospital, is the recipient of the 2017 Gold Medal of the Society, awarded by SPIE — the international society for optics and photonics. SPIE recognized Svanberg for her contributions to biophotonics, in particular, her clinical work exploring and verifying the efficacy of phototherapy and in vivo diagnosis in treating cancer patients.

Katarina Svanberg, recipient of SPIE's 2017 Gold Medal of the Society award. Courtesy of SPIE.

"Dr. Svanberg’s groundbreaking work on laser-induced tissue fluorescence — evidenced by more than 250 journal and proceedings papers — have made 'optical biopsy' a reality for many types of cancer,” said 2016 SPIE President Robert Lieberman. “Now called 'translational research,' her longstanding approach to medical science and technology has been a guiding light throughout her career and a beacon to others.”

The award acknowledges Svanberg’s dedication to building scientific and medical infrastructure in Africa and inspiring young people across the world. She has trained medical personnel in the poorest regions of Africa in biomedical optical techniques.

Svanberg is a Fellow of SPIE, and served on its Board of Directors from 2005-2007, as well as serving on various SPIE committees.

The Gold Medal of the Society is the highest honor the Society bestows. Beginning in 1977, the award has been given annually in recognition of outstanding engineering or scientific accomplishments in optics, electro-optics, or photographic technologies or applications.