Walfre Franco

Walfre Franco is an Adjunct Assistant Professor at UMass Chan Medical School and T.H. Chan School of Medicine, Department of Dermatology. He holds a PhD in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Notre Dame (after completing BS in Electro-Mechanical Engineering and MS in Mechanical Engineering). His research focuses on medical devices, phototherapy for carbon monoxide poisoning, and innovative imaging techniques for skin conditions. Notable work includes developing extracorporeal membrane oxygenators (ECMO) with phototherapy capabilities and smartphone-based imaging systems for medical diagnostics. Franco collaborates extensively on projects addressing critical-care applications and dermatological diagnostics, with over 40 publications in journals like Nitric Oxide, Lasers in Surgery and Medicine, and Scientific Translational Medicine.

• Education: University of Mexico (BS Electro-Mechanical Engineering), University of Notre Dame (MS/PhD Mechanical Engineering)

Research Interests: Franco's work bridges engineering and medicine, emphasizing:

• Development of phototherapy systems for acute toxic exposure (e.g., CO poisoning)
• Non-invasive imaging technologies for dermatological conditions
• Optimization of medical devices for critical care and surgical precision

Publications reflect interdisciplinary collaboration across bioengineering, emergency medicine, and dermatology. His networks include key figures in laser medicine and critical care, with concepts like skin imaging, CO poisoning, and phototherapy central to his research.