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12 Facts About Robert Jarvik

1.

Robert Koffler Jarvik was born on May 11,1946 and is an American scientist, researcher, and entrepreneur known for his role in developing the Jarvik-7 artificial heart.

2.

Robert Jarvik was born in Midland, Michigan, to Norman Eugene Jarvik and Edythe Koffler Jarvik, and raised in Stamford, Connecticut.

3.

Robert Jarvik is brother to Jonathan Jarvik, a biological-sciences professor at Carnegie Mellon University, as well as the nephew of Murray Jarvik, a pharmacologist who co-invented the nicotine patch.

4.

At an early age Jarvik showed interest in mechanics and medicine, which would later influence his work.

5.

Robert Jarvik earned a master's degree in medical engineering from New York University.

6.

Robert Jarvik is a medical scientist - he did not complete a clinical internship or residency and has never been licensed to practice medicine.

7.

Robert Jarvik joined the University of Utah's artificial organs program in 1971, then headed by Willem Johan Kolff, his mentor.

8.

In 2006, Robert Jarvik began appearing in television commercials for Pfizer's cholesterol medication Lipitor.

9.

Later, Robert Jarvik said that he had not taken Lipitor until becoming a spokesman for the company.

10.

Robert Jarvik has a son and daughter with his first wife, Salt Lake City writer and journalist Elaine Jarvik.

11.

Robert Jarvik has been married to Parade magazine columnist Marilyn vos Savant since August 23,1987.

12.

Contrary to some sources, Robert Jarvik is not a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.