Dean Kamen – Founder of DEKA R&D and FIRST®

Dean Kamen is an inventor, entrepreneur, and tireless advocate for science and technology. His roles as inventor and advocate are intertwined— with his own passion for technology and its practical uses driving his personal determination to engage young people in science, technology, engineering, and math.

Dean is the Founder of DEKA Research & Development Corporation, FIRST® (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology), FIRST Global, Experiential and ARMI (Advanced Regenerative Manufacturing Institute).

As President of DEKA, he has developed category-defining innovations from revolutionary drug delivery systems – as with the twiist™ Automated Insulin Delivery System and the Remunity® pump which safely delivers stable doses of Remodulin to mobility systems that restore health and quality of life – as with the iBOT™ Mobility System, and the LUKE robotic arm, cardiac stents, HemoCare home hemodialysis machines. These devices change the healthcare paradigm. Other innovations that change what the world believes is possible are the new and improved Stirling engine, Slingshot – the water purification machine and others.

In addition to DEKA, one of Dean’s proudest accomplishments is founding FIRST®, an organization dedicated to motivating the next generation to understand, use and enjoy science and technology – and to apply it for societal contribution. Founded in 1989, FIRST® serves more than 2,500,000 young people ages 6 to 18 annually. He expanded this initiative to create FIRST Global, which in 2024  united teams from over 190 countries to its annual competition in Athens, Greece.

Dean Kamen was awarded the National Medal of Technology in 2000. Presented by President Clinton, this award was in recognition for inventions that have advanced medical care worldwide, and for innovative and imaginative leadership in awakening America to the excitement of science and technology. He was also elected as a member of the National Academy of Engineering in 1997. He was awarded the Lemelson-MIT Prize in 2002, and was inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame in May 2005. He is a Fellow of the American Institute for Medical & Biological Engineering, as well as many other national and international engineering organizations.