Russell H. Taylor, John C. Malone Professor in the Department of Computer Science and director of the Laboratory for Computational Sensing and Robotics, has been elected as a Fellow of the National Academy of Inventors. Status as a NAI Fellow is a prestigious distinction bestowed on academic inventors who have created or facilitated outstanding inventions that have made a difference to people and to society.

Widely hailed as the father of medical robotics, Russ started his work in robotics research more than 40 years ago. He began focusing on medical robotics about 25 years ago—a time when the field was virtually nonexistent. His election as a NAI Fellow recognizes this early work, as well as his continuing role as a global leader in efforts to enhance medical treatment through the expanded use of robotic devices and computer-integrated tools. Russ has repeatedly said that his goal isn’t to produce tools that will replace doctors, but rather to give doctors new tools that can help them achieve better outcomes in treating their patients.

Russ is one of two WSE faculty members elected this year, bringing WSE’s total number of NAI Fellows to four, and JHU’s total number to 11. He will be formally inducted at NAI’s 7th Annual Conference in April.