Creator of the world’s first artificial kidney
Ben J. Lipps, who received a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering in 1962, was recognized as one of the Top Ten Chemical Engineering Graduates in the U.S. He furthered his education with a National Institute of Health Fellowship at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, which propelled him into a career focused on bioengineering. Lipps began his professional journey at Dow Chemical, where he made significant contributions, including creation of the world's first artificial kidney. In 1988, he became chief executive officer at Fresenius USA, the world's largest fully integrated dialysis products and services company. Lipps retired as chairman and CEO of Fresenius in 2012. Purdue honored him with a Distinguished Engineering Alumnus Award in 2003.