Dr. Behrooz Akbarnia formerly Professor and Vice Chair of Orthopaedic Surgery at St. Louis University for 10 years, relocated to San Diego in 1990 where he is a Clinical Professor at University of California, San Diego and Medical Director Emeritus, San Diego Center for Spinal Disorders. He completed his Scoliosis and Spine Fellowship in Minneapolis under Dr. John Moe and colleagues. While in San Diego, he established San Diego Spine Fellowship Program and founded San Diego Spine Foundation to support his academic activities.

Dr. Akbarnia is co-founder of ISSG and past member of its Executive Committee. He is the past President of Scoliosis Research Society as well as Pediatric Spine Foundation. He established the International Congress on Early Onset Scoliosis (ICEOS), holding annual meetings since 2007. Dr. Akbarnia has published several books including 3 editions of The Growing Spine Textbook, numerous book chapters and has more than 250 scientific publications. He is frequently invited to be a national and international speaker. He continues to be involved in research, education and mentoring young spine surgeons.