Lightwave Logic (LWLG) promotes Snizhana Quan to principal financial and accounting officer

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Lightwave Logic, Inc. announced a leadership change in its finance function. The Board appointed Snizhana “Ana” Quan as Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer, effective January 6, 2026, following the previously announced retirement of former Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer James S. Marcelli as of December 31, 2025.

Quan, age 47, has been the company’s Corporate Controller since October 2023 and brings extensive experience in corporate accounting and SEC reporting from prior roles at Stolle Machinery Company, Frontier Airlines, NTT America, Western Union, and other firms, as well as early-career audit work at KPMG. The company states there are no special arrangements leading to her appointment, no family relationships with directors or executive officers, and no related-party transactions involving her that require disclosure.

Insights

Corporate governance and disclosure analyst

Lightwave Logic names experienced internal controller as new principal finance officer.

The company appointed Snizhana “Ana” Quan as Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer effective January 6, 2026, following the previously announced retirement of its prior Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer on December 31, 2025. This represents an internal promotion from her role as Corporate Controller, which she has held since October 2023.

Quan’s background includes senior accounting and reporting positions at Stolle Machinery Company, Frontier Airlines, NTT America, and Western Union, as well as earlier audit experience at KPMG. She also holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration – Accounting/Finance and is a certified public accountant in Colorado, which aligns with the technical requirements for overseeing financial reporting.

The company notes there are no special arrangements leading to her appointment, no family relationships with current directors or executive officers, and no transactions involving her that need disclosure under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K. This positions the change as a planned transition rather than a response to an adverse event, with future continuity depending on how she executes financial reporting and control responsibilities over upcoming reporting periods.

8-K Event Classification

Item 5.02 — Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers

1 item

Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers Governance

Key personnel changes including departures, elections, or appointments of directors and executive officers.

Understanding 8-K Material Events →

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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) January 6, 2026

Lightwave Logic, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Nevada		001-40766		82-0497368
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)		(Commission File Number)		(IRS Employer Identification Number)

369 Inverness Parkway, Suite 350, Englewood, CO 80112

(Address of principal executive offices, including Zip Code)

(720) 340-4949

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

☐ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

☐ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class		Trading Symbol(s)		Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share		LWLG		The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company ☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.

On January 6, 2026, the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of Lightwave Logic, Inc. (the “Company”) appointed Snizhana “Ana” Quan as the Company’s Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer, effective immediately. Ms. Quan’s appointment follows the previously announced retirement of James S. Marcelli from his roles as the Company’s Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer and as a director of the Company effective as of December 31, 2025.

Snizhana Quan, age 47, has served as the Company’s Corporate Controller since October 2023. Prior to joining the Company, Ms. Quan served as the Global Corporate Controller of Stolle Machinery Company, LLC (“Stolle”) from May 2019 through October 2023 and as the Assistant Controller of Stolle from May 2018 through April 2019. From February 2017 through May 2018, Ms. Quan served as the Director of Corporate Accounting and SEC Reporting of Frontier Airlines (Nasdaq: ULCC). From June 2015 through February 2017, Ms. Quan also served as Director of Accounting and Financial Reporting for NTT America, the largest subsidiary of Tokyo-based NTT Communications, having previously served as its Senior Manager of Financial Reporting and Technical Accounting from February 2014 through May 2015. Ms. Quan also held financial and accounting roles of increasing responsibility at Western Union (NYSE: WU) from August 2012 through February 2014 and The Comex Group from June 2009 through August 2012. Ms. Quan began her career at KPMG LLP, where she worked in audit and risk advisory services from August 2005 through April 2009. Ms. Quan holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration – Accounting/Finance from the University of Colorado and is a certified public accountant in Colorado.

There are no arrangements or understandings between Ms. Quan and any other person pursuant to which she was appointed as the Company’s Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer, and there are no family relationships among any of the Company’s directors or executive officers and Ms. Quan. Additionally, Ms. Quan has no direct or indirect interest in any transaction required to be disclosed pursuant to Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

LIGHTWAVE LOGIC, INC.
By:	/s/ Snizhana Quan
Name:	Snizhana Quan
Title:	Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer

Dated: January 8, 2026 

FAQ

What leadership change did Lightwave Logic (LWLG) disclose?

Lightwave Logic appointed Snizhana “Ana” Quan as its Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer, effective January 6, 2026, following the retirement of its prior Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer on December 31, 2025.

Who is Snizhana Quan and what is her background at Lightwave Logic (LWLG)?

Snizhana Quan, age 47, has served as Corporate Controller of Lightwave Logic since October 2023. She has now been promoted to Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer.

What prior experience does Snizhana Quan bring to Lightwave Logic (LWLG)?

Before joining Lightwave Logic, Quan held senior accounting and reporting roles at Stolle Machinery Company, Frontier Airlines (Nasdaq: ULCC), NTT America, Western Union (NYSE: WU), and earlier worked in audit and risk advisory services at KPMG LLP.

Does Snizhana Quan have any related-party or family relationships at Lightwave Logic (LWLG)?

The company states there are no arrangements or understandings with other persons leading to Quan’s appointment, no family relationships with any directors or executive officers, and no transactions involving her that must be disclosed under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K.

What are Snizhana Quan’s qualifications for the finance role at Lightwave Logic (LWLG)?

Quan holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration – Accounting/Finance from the University of Colorado and is a certified public accountant in Colorado, complementing her extensive corporate accounting and SEC reporting experience.

When did the previous CFO and COO of Lightwave Logic (LWLG) retire?

Former Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer James S. Marcelli retired from his roles and as a director of the company effective December 31, 2025.