Mark Humayun to receive National Medal of Technology and Innovation

President Barack Obama on Jan. 22 will award Mark Humayun, MD, PhD, with the National Medal of Technology and Innovation, the nation's highest award for technology achievement.

Dr. Humayun pioneered the ARGUS II, the world's first artificial retinal prosthesis, which received FDA approval in 2013 and is effectively restoring some visual capabilities for patients with blindness caused by retina pigmentosa. View a video of Dr. Humayun discussing ARGUS II.

Dr. Humayun is co-director of the USC Eye Institute and director of the UCS Institute for Biomedical Therapeutics.

The National Medal of Technology and Innovation, presented by U.S. presidents since 1980, is given to individuals, small teams collaborating on innovative systems or divisions of companies, all of whom have contributed to the nation's economic, environmental and social well-being.

In a statement, President Obama stated, "Science and technology are fundamental to solving some of our nation's biggest challenges. The knowledge produced by these Americans today will carry our country's legacy of innovation forward and continue to help countless others around the world. Their work is a testament to American ingenuity."