Deka president and First founder Dean Kamen to inspire scientists and engineers to innovate
Dean Kamen, president of Deka Research and Development and founder of First (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology), will deliver the closing keynote address to more than 2000 attendees at NIWeek, the world's largest virtual instrumentation conference and exhibition, 8-10 August 2006 in Austin, Texas.
In his speech, 'Inspiring present and future scientists and engineers to innovate', Kamen will discuss the role of science, engineering and innovation in today's society.
"It is an honour to welcome Dean Kamen as the guest keynote speaker at NIWeek 2006," said Ray Almgren, vice president of academic relations at National Instruments.
"As an inventor, entrepreneur and tireless advocate for science and technology, Kamen has changed the landscape of technology and education.
"Through his organisation First, Kamen has transformed the way our society thinks about math and science and has inspired thousands of young adults to pursue careers in science, technology and engineering." Scheduled for 8:30am on Aug 10, at the Austin Convention Center, the keynote examines the need for scientists and engineers to play a more central, visible and celebrated role in society today, given challenges such as infectious disease and water scarcity.
Kamen also will talk about his award-winning inventions and commitment to First, the nonprofit organisation he founded to inspire young people's interest and participation in education and careers in science and technology.
National Instruments is an international sponsor of First Lego League (FLL), an international programme for more than 62,000 children ages 9 to 14 that combines a hands-on, interactive robotics programme with a sports-like atmosphere, and an official supplier to the First Robotics Competition for high school students.
Kamen's contributions to the fields of science, engineering and education are widely recognised.
Last year, Kamen was inducted in the US National Inventors Hall of Fame.
In 2002, he won the Lemelson-MIT Prize for Invention and Innovation and in 2000, president Bill Clinton awarded Kamen the National Medal of Technology for inventions that advanced medical care worldwide and for his imaginative and innovative efforts to generate excitement around science and technology.
Kamen has more than 150 US and foreign patents, including several for life-saving and life-changing medical devices.
Kamen's inventions include the first wearable infusion pump, the first portable insulin pump for diabetics, a shoebox-sized dialysis machine, a revolutionary wheelchair that climbs stairs and can rise to an eye-level position and a portable water purification system that makes contaminated water drinkable in areas where fresh water is not available.
NIWeek: Since 1995, engineers, scientists and educators worldwide have gathered at NIWeek to learn about cost-efficient, flexible technologies for creating advanced test, control and design solutions.
At NIWeek 2005, National Instruments hosted more than 2000 attendees.
NIWeek 2006 begins 8 August for three full days of interactive technical sessions, summits and hands on-workshops.
First: Accomplished inventor Dean Kamen founded First (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) in 1989 to inspire an appreciation of science and technology in young people.
Based in Manchester, NH, First designs accessible, innovative programs to build self-confidence, knowledge and life skills while motivating young people to pursue opportunities in science, technology and engineering.
With the support of many of the world's most well-known companies, the non-profit organization hosts the First Robotics Competition for high school students and the First Lego League for children 9 to 14 years old.
National Instruments: For 30 years, National Instruments has been a technology pioneer and leader in virtual instrumentation - a revolutionary concept that has changed the way engineers and scientists in industry, government and academia approach measurement and automation.
Leveraging PCs and commercial technologies, virtual instrumentation increases productivity and lowers costs for test, control and design applications through easy-to-integrate software, such as NI Labview, and modular measurement and control hardware for PXI, PCI, PCI Express, USB and ethernet.
Headquartered in Austin, Texas, NI has more than 3900 employees and direct operations in nearly 40 countries.
For the past seven years, Fortune magazine has named NI one of the 100 best companies to work for in America.
