Robert E. Fischell
National Medal of Technology and Innovation
Medicine
For invention of novel medical devices used in the treatment of many illnesses thereby improving the health and saving the lives of millions of patients around the world.
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Birth
January 1, 1929Age Awarded
84Key Contributions
Rechargeable, Implantable PacemakerImplantable Insulin Pump
Principle designer of "Transit" spacecraft system
Awarded by
Barack ObamaEducation
University of Maryland, College ParkDuke University
Areas of Impact
TransportationHealth & Medicine
Affiliations
University of Maryland, College ParkIf Robert E. Fischell once invented a rechargeable pacemaker in just four days, imagine what the scientist and engineer has been able to accomplish in his 65-year career.
Fischell, a professor of practice at University of Maryland’s A. James Clark School of Engineering, is considered the father of modern medical stents, lifetime pacemaker batteries and implantable insulin pumps. He holds more than 200 patents and has founded more than half a dozen companies to help carry out his research.
His latest projects—some of which he has collaborated on with his children—include devices that can stop an epileptic seizure before it starts, warn of an impending heart attack and eliminate migraine headaches.
Fischell’s knack for inventing life-changing medical devices came later in his career. After earning a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Duke University and a master’s degree in physics from the University of Maryland at College Park, he served as a civilian engineer in the Navy for eight years. After that, he worked as chief engineer in the space department at the Applied Physics Lab, and later, as chief of technology transfer there, helping to create space satellites used for communications, entertainment, business and national security.
By Sydni Dunn