News Release

Alfred E. Mann, an inventor, philanthropist and entrepreneur whose companies have produced devices for medical, space and military applications, has been awarded an honorary doctorate by The Johns Hopkins University.

Mann was one of four persons to receive the degree of doctor of humane letters at May 24 commencement ceremonies marking the close of the university's 125th academic year.

The citation accompanying the award praised Mann for work on everything from solar electric systems for space vehicles to a long-lasting, rechargeable pacemaker developed in collaboration with the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory. Recently, Mann's companies have produced insulin pumps for diabetics and cochlear implants for people with impaired hearing. One company is working now with the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine to produce devices to restore vision to the blind.

"Throughout your distinguished career, you have used technology to address human needs and aspirations," the citation said.

Mann is currently chairman of a number of the companies he founded, including MiniMed Inc., which he also heads as chief executive officer. He is chairman of the board of trustees of the Alfred E. Mann Foundation, a non-profit research organization devoted to development of advanced medical products.

Mann graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles. He is a fellow of the American Institute of Medical and Biological Engineering.