Australia's bionic ear pioneer, Professor Graeme Clark AC FAA, has become the first Australian to receive the prestigious 2015 Russ Prize for bioengineering that significantly improves the human condition.
The Award is significant international recognition of the achievement of Professor Clark and his team at the University of Melbourne, who developed the first multi-channel cochlear implant in. More than 320,000 people around the world have had their hearing restored with the cochlear implant procedure, and the lives of many millions of people have been affected as a result.
Academy President, Professor Andrew Holmes, warmly congratulated Professor Clark.
"We are proud of Professor Clark's marvellous achievements, and we celebrate with him this special occasion," Professor Holmes said.
Professor Clark has won the Award jointly with four other cochlear implant pioneers: Blake S. Wilson, Erwin Hochmair, Ingeborg J. Hochmair-Desoyer, and Michael M. Merzenich. Awarded by Ohio University and the US National Academy of Engineering, the Russ Prize encourages collaboration between the engineering, medical and biological disciplines and professions.
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