Richard Johns, a professor emeritus in biomedical engineering, was the first director of the Department of Biomedical Engineering when it was established in 1970, and served in that position until his retirement in 1991. Under his leadership, the department expanded to encompass research in speech and hearing, cardiovascular control, and myocardial mechanics. He also helped develop a revolutionary three-dimensional radiography system during the 1960s and 1970s. In addition to his success in developing the biomedical engineering department, Johns played a major role in expanding research and training programs for medical students and postdoctoral scientists.
He received his BS at the University of Oregon in 1947 and an MD at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine in 1948. After serving in the U.S. Army Medical Corps, he returned to Johns Hopkins, where he spent the rest of his career.