Mark S. Humayun

Mark S. Humayun
Known forCo-inventing the Argus Series retina implants
Medical career
ProfessionOphthalmologist, Engineer, Scientist and Inventor
InstitutionsUSC Eye Institute

Mark S. Humayun is a Pakistani-American ophthalmologist, engineer, scientist, inventor and academic – the only ophthalmologist elected a member of both U.S. National Academies of Medicine and Engineering.[1][2] He is a university professor with joint appointments at the Keck School of Medicine of USC and the USC Viterbi School of Engineering.[3]

In 2011, Humayun was elected as a member into the National Academy of Engineering for contributions to development and clinical implementation of the visual prosthesis for restoration of sight.

Humayun was named a recipient of the National Medal of Technology and Innovation in 2015 and received the award from U.S. President Barack Obama in 2016.[4] The award recognizes "those who have made lasting contributions to America’s competitiveness and quality of life and helped strengthen the Nation’s technological workforce.[5]" Humayun co-invented the Argus Series retina implants, which are manufactured by Second Sight, and are intended to restore sight to the blind.[6] The Argus Series implants were named by Time Magazine among the top 10 inventions of 2013.[7]

He has more than 100 patents and patent applications,[8] and was nominated by R&D Magazine as Innovator of the Year in 2005.[9][10] He was recently nominated to the National Academy of Inventors, the highest professional distinction accorded to academic inventors.

Humayun was named director of the USC Institute of Biomedical Therapeutics (IBT) in 2012,[11] director of the National Science Foundation BioMimetic MicroElectronic Systems Engineering Research Center,[12] and director of the Department of Energy Artificial Retina Project.[13] He was also inaugural director of the USC Eye Institute and interim chair of the USC Department of Ophthalmology.[14]

  1. ^ Lewit, Meghan (October 23, 2009). "Humayun Elected to Institute of Medicine". Keck School of Medicine of USC. Retrieved February 5, 2016.
  2. ^ "Keck School Faculty Honored by National Academy of Engineering". Keck School of Medicine of USC. February 16, 2011. Retrieved February 5, 2016.
  3. ^ "Biomed Miracle Workers". USC Trojan Family. Retrieved February 5, 2016.
  4. ^ "National Science and Technology Medals Foundation". nationalmedals.org. Archived from the original on May 26, 2016.
  5. ^ "President Obama to Honor Nation's Leading Scientists and Innovators". whitehouse.gov. December 22, 2015. Retrieved February 5, 2016 – via National Archives.
  6. ^ "Humayun named first director of USC Eye Institute". Keck Medicine of USC. November 14, 2013. Retrieved February 5, 2016.
  7. ^ "The 25 Best Inventions of the Year 2013". Time. November 13, 2013. Retrieved February 5, 2016.
  8. ^ "Patents by Inventor Mark Humayun". JUSTIA Patents. Retrieved February 5, 2016.
  9. ^ "USC researcher Mark Humayun wins 2005 R&D Innovator of the Year Award". USC Bioelectronics Research Lab. October 20, 2005. Retrieved February 5, 2016.
  10. ^ Derra, Skip (August 12, 2005). "Bringing Sight to the Blind". R&D Magazine. Retrieved February 5, 2016.
  11. ^ "Biomed Miracle Workers". USC Trojan Family. Retrieved February 5, 2016.
  12. ^ "An Engineering Research Center for Biomimetic Microelectronic Systems". National Science Foundation. September 24, 2003. Retrieved February 5, 2016.
  13. ^ "Overview of the Artificial Retina Project". Artificial Retina Project. Retrieved February 5, 2016.
  14. ^ "Humayun named first director of USC Eye Institute". Keck Medicine of USC. November 14, 2013. Retrieved February 5, 2016.