Samueli School Celebrates "Engineering the Future" Awards

Two exceptional individuals were recognized as part of The Henry Samueli School of Engineering and surrounding communities at the Samueli School’s annual awards dinner and banquet on May 19, 2008.  James (Jim) V. Mazzo, chairman, president, and CEO of Advanced Medical Optics, Inc., and Michael A. Mussallem, chairman and CEO of Edwards Lifesciences Corporation, were both presented with the “Engineering the Future” award. 

“It was an honor to recognize these impressive leaders on behalf of The Henry Samueli School of Engineering,” said  Nicolaos G. Alexopoulos, dean of The Henry Samueli School of Engineering. “Jim Mazzo and Mike Mussallem are excellent role models for our students at UC Irvine, and respected colleagues in local, national, and international business and technological communities.  Their generous support, innovative ideas, and tireless dedication to engineering science and education are exemplary.”

2008 Engineering the Future Award - James V. Mazzo

“For His Outstanding and Dedicated Leadership as Chairperson of The Henry Samueli School of Engineering Advisory Board, and for His Excellent Contributions to Advance Engineering Science in Ophthalmology at UC Irvine”

James (Jim) V. Mazzo is chairman, president, and chief executive officer of Advanced Medical Optics (AMO), Inc. Mazzo has been a member of the board of directors since October 2001, and was president and chief executive officer from AMO’s inception through May 2006, at which time he also became chairman of the board.

Prior to AMO’s spin-off from Allergan in 2002, Mazzo served in various positions at Allergan, most recently as Allergan’s corporate vice president and president, surgical and CLCP businesses.  From April 1998 to January 2002, Mazzo was Allergan’s corporate vice president and president, Europe/Africa/Middle East Region. From January 2001 to January 2002, Mazzo also assumed the duties of president of Allergan’s global surgical business, and from May 1998 to January 2001, he was the president of global lens care products for Allergan. From June 1997 to May 1998, he was senior vice president, U.S. Eyecare/Rx sales and marketing, and prior to that, he served 11 years in a variety of positions at Allergan, including director, marketing (Canada), vice president and managing director (Italy), and senior vice president, Northern Europe. Mazzo first joined Allergan in 1980.

Mazzo is the only executive from the ophthalmic and eye care industry to serve on the executive board of Advanced Medical Technology Association (AdvaMed), the world’s largest medical device organization. He is a strong believer in education and serves on the University of California, Irvine Foundation Board Executive Committee, the UC Irvine Dean’s Board of Business, and is chair of The Henry Samueli School of Engineering Advisory Board. He is also a trustee for Chapman University and the University of San Diego. Additionally, Mazzo is a member of the International Intraocular Implant Club (IIIC), and sits on the boards of both Beckman Coulter and OCTANe.

2008 Engineering the Future Award - Michael A. Mussallem

“For His Outstanding Leadership in the Advancement of Engineering Education and Research in Biomedical Devices and Systems, and His Instrumental Support to The Henry Samueli School of Engineering, especially in establishing The Edwards Lifesciences Center for Advanced Cardiovascular Technology”

Michael A. Mussallem is chairman and chief executive officer of Edwards Lifesciences Corporation, the world’s leader in heart valve technologies. Headquartered in Irvine, Calif., Edwards leverages its research, design, development, and marketing expertise to address specific cardiovascular opportunities, including heart valve disease, vascular disease, and critical care technologies.

Mussallem has headed Edwards Lifesciences since it was spun off from Baxter International, Inc., and began operating as an independent, publicly traded company (NYSE:EW) in April 2000.  Previously, he was responsible for the worldwide operations of both Baxter’s CardioVascular business, which he had headed since 1995, and its Biopharmaceuticals business, which he had been appointed to lead in 1998.

He joined Baxter in 1979 and progressed through a variety of increasingly responsible positions in manufacturing, engineering, and product development. He was named president of Baxter’s Critical Care Division in 1993, and group vice president of Baxter’s Surgical Group in 1994. From 1996 through 1998, he chaired Baxter’s Asia-Pacific Board, which coordinated all of Baxter’s regional initiatives. Previously, he worked for Union Carbide.

Mussallem is chairman of the board of directors of the Advanced Medical Technology Association (AdvaMed), and serves as a member of the board for Advanced Medical Optics, Inc. He is also on the boards and executive committees of the California Healthcare Institute and OCTANe, and is a member of the University of California, Irvine Chief Executive Roundtable. He received a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering in 1974 and an honorary doctorate in 1999 from the Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology in Terre Haute, Ind.