Alan Widgerow is a plastic surgeon who operated a solo private practice in South Africa for over 20 years. He has held various roles in many academic and professional organizations, including serving as President of the Association of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery of Southern Africa (APRSSA). He is the author of over 230 publications related to plastic surgery and has authored 2 books. He was also the founder and medical director of 13 wound clinics in South Africa. Prof. Widgerow moved to Irvine, California, in December 2009 to pursue his interests in medical device innovations, cosmeceuticals, and wound care, but he continues to actively participate in academic medicine worldwide. In 2012, he joined the faculty of the University of California, Irvine, Department of Plastic Surgery as a Full Adjunct Professor and Director of the Center for Tissue Engineering. In 2021, he was appointed Division Chief of Research for the department. He engages in multiple projects involving adipose-derived stem cells, adipose decellularized matrix, wound healing, and transplantation. In 2018, he received the Distinguished Faculty Mentor of the Year Award from the UCI Institute for Clinical and Translational Science. In 2025, he was honored as the Outstanding Volunteer Faculty of the Year for Excellence in Teaching and Resident Education by UCI Plastic Surgery.

Dr. Widgerow has developed and licensed multiple products in the US and South African markets. In 2015, he joined ALASTIN Skincare, Inc., an early-stage startup professional skincare company, as their Chief Medical Officer. Over the past 10 years, he has led the scientific innovations team in launching several new products based on novel wound healing pathways. The resulting products have been validated through gene expression studies, in vitro testing, biopsies, and multiple clinical trials, leading to a range of products that have surpassed previous scientific validations in this field. He continues to pursue patented novel concepts, peptide technologies, and rigorous testing, thereby contributing to Alastin Skincare’s status as the fastest-growing professional skincare company in the US for many years. In 2021, Alastin Skincare was acquired by Galderma, and in June 2022, Dr. Widgerow was appointed Chief Scientific Officer of Galderma. In 2025, he was named Head of Dermatological Skincare Innovation at Galderma, where he is involved in Ax, Rx, and Cx product science, research, and development.