Jonathan Lovell Winner of 2019 Basic PDT Research Excellence Award at the 17th World Congress of the International Photodynamic Association


Boston, USA, July 11, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --

At the 17th International Photodynamic Association World Congress in Boston, Massachusetts, Dr. Jonathan Lovell was recognized with the 2019 Basic PDT Research Excellence Award.

The Basic PDT Research Excellence Award recognizes scientific research that extends the understanding of photodynamic therapy (PDT) enabling future advancements in PDT applications, performance, protocols, materials and equipment. Dr. Jonathan Lovell, Associate Professor of Biomedical Engineering at University of Buffalo, was recognized for research excellence for his work developing nanoscale photodynamic materials that improve PDT safety, efficacy, cost and versatility. His new photosensitizers have shown proof of principle for multimodal imaging and have combined chemotherapy with PDT into a single integrated agent.  Dr. Lovell is advancing the concept of a new single-agent liposomal construct for chemo-photodynamic therapy.

IPA World Congress

The Boston World Congress was the 17th conference held by the International Photodynamic Association, marking 34 years of this global meeting. The IPA World Congresses, held every two years, are the leading PDT meetings bringing together members of the global photodynamic community to advance scientific and clinical research relating to photodiagnosis and photodynamic therapies. The Boston World Congress was led by Congress Chair and IPA President Dr. Tayyaba Hasan, Professor of Dermatology at the Wellman Center for Photomedicine, Harvard Medical School (HMS) and a Professor of Health Sciences and Technology (Harvard-MIT) and had record attendance with representatives from 33 countries.  The 2021 IPA World Congress will be hosted in Moscow, Russia and the 2023 IPA World Congress will be held in Shanghai, China.

About Photodynamic Therapy

Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) is a combination therapy involving light activated photosensitizers to diagnose and treat various types and stages of cancers and pre-cancers, macular degeneration and multidrug-resistant infections involving bacteria, viruses and fungi. First developed in the 1980s, PDT has demonstrated superior patient outcomes with considerable cost savings. Over the past 30 years, millions of patients globally have been successfully treated with PDT.

About the International Photodynamic Association

The International Photodynamic Association (IPA) was founded in 1986 to support and endorse the scientific advancement and clinical development of photodynamic therapy and photodiagnosis. With members and associates from over 30 countries, the IPA represents a truly global community consisting of prominent international scientists, clinicians and translational researchers, healthcare professionals and students across academic, hospital, government and private sector organizations. The IPA promotes the study of diagnosis and treatment using light-activated photosensitizers and disseminates scientific information to its members, the research community, and to the community at large. The IPA organizes a biennial World Congress around the world, providing members and non-members a unique opportunity to share and learn more about global developments relating specifically to photodynamic therapy and photodiagnosis. 

For further information: ipasecretary@internationalphotodynamic.com

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Dr. Jonathan Lovell (second from the left) receiving the 2019 Basic PDT Research Excellence Award from Dr. Brian Wilson (left), IPA President, Dr. Luis Arnaut (second from the right), and IPA Past-President, Dr. Tayyaba Hassan (right).

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