David Benaron
David Benaron | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Benaron, c. 2016 | |
| Born | November 21, 1958 Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Died | July 19, 2025 (aged 66) Belmont, California, U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | Physician, biomedical researcher, technology entrepreneur |
David A. Benaron (November 21, 1958 – July 19, 2025) was an American physician, biomedical researcher, and technology entrepreneur. He served as a professor of pediatrics at the Stanford University School of Medicine and was known for contributions to medical optical imaging, wearable health technology, and related biomedical innovations.[1]
Education
Benaron studied biochemistry at the University of California, Davis.[2] He attended the Harvard–MIT Health Sciences and Technology program, earning his medical degree from Harvard Medical School.[3] He later completed fellowships in physiology at the National Institutes of Health, in biophysics at the University of Pennsylvania, and in neonatal intensive care at Stanford Medical School.[4]
Academic career
Benaron joined the faculty of Stanford’s Division of Neonatal and Developmental Medicine in 1989. He worked on optical imaging methods, including early in vivo imaging of infection in collaboration with colleagues at Stanford.[5] He remained at Stanford until 2002 and continued as a consulting professor until 2016.
Business and technology
While at Stanford, Benaron developed biomedical imaging technologies that led to the founding of several biotechnology companies.[6] His work contributed to the development of the green‑light heart‑rate sensor found in many consumer wearables,[7] luciferase‑based bioluminescent imaging,[1] and applications of white‑light spectroscopy for tissue oxygen measurement.[8]
In 2002, he received the Tibbetts Award from the United States Congress for innovation commercialization,[9] and in 2012 he was inducted into the Stanford Inventors Hall of Fame.[10]
Digital health
Benaron joined Jawbone in 2015 following its acquisition of his company Spectros and later became Chief Medical Officer of Jawbone Health.[11] He worked on wearable systems intended for continuous health monitoring and early detection of chronic conditions.[12]
Personal life
Benaron was active in the furry fandom, with his main fursona being a cheetah named Spottacus.[13] He had two children.[14]
Death
Benaron died on July 19, 2025, at the age of 66.[15][16]
References
- ^ a b "David Benaron". SPIE Professional. April 2008. doi:10.1117/2.4200804.02. ISSN 1994-4403.
- ^ "David Benaron, MD". Doximity. March 24, 2019.
- ^ "David Benaron: Executive Profile". Bloomberg. Retrieved March 24, 2019.
- ^ "Overview and history". Division of Neonatal and Developmental Medicine, Stanford University. Retrieved January 23, 2019.
- ^ "Lab mice glow when genes turn on". Stanford Medicine News Center. October 9, 1997. Retrieved March 24, 2019.
- ^ Weingarten, Michael (September 9, 2008). "An Overview of the NCI SBIR Program". Slideplayer.
- ^ Spector, Rosanne (January 19, 2005). "New method developed for measuring oxygen in blood". Stanford University. Archived from the original on May 10, 2022. Retrieved May 10, 2022.
- ^ [1], "Spectroscopy illuminator with improved delivery efficiency"
- ^ "71 R & D Program Participants Receive SBA's High-Tech Tibbetts Award". ScienceBlog. Retrieved January 7, 2020.
- ^ Ray, Elaine. "New members inducted into Stanford Inventor Hall of Fame". Stanford News. Archived from the original on May 3, 2015.
- ^ Comstock, Jonah (June 9, 2016). "Jawbone's secret 2015 acquisition sheds light on its rumored clinical wearable". MobiHealthNews. Retrieved October 17, 2018.
- ^ "Jawbone Health Hub: What we know so far". Wareable. August 21, 2017. Retrieved October 17, 2018.
- ^ Greenwald, Will (June 4, 2022). "Your Smartwatch's Heart Rate Monitor Was Developed by a Furry". PCMag. Retrieved June 7, 2022.
- ^ "Lori Ann Benaron, Obituary". Whidbey News-Times. July 3, 2002. Retrieved March 26, 2019.
- ^ "San Mateo County death notices — July 18 to July 21, 2025". San Mateo Daily Journal. July 22, 2025. Retrieved July 22, 2025.
- ^ McNally, Tantroo (July 19, 2025). "Dr. David "Spottacus" Benaron – furry known for work foundational to smartwatch heart‑rate monitors – passes away". Flayrah. Retrieved July 22, 2025.