[3] In 2011, Humayun was elected as a member into the National Academy of Engineering for contributions to development and clinical implementation of the visual prosthesis for restoration of sight.
Humayun was named a recipient of the National Medal of Technology and Innovation in 2015 and received the award from U.S. President Barack Obama in 2016.
[4] The award recognizes "those who have made lasting contributions to America’s competitiveness and quality of life and helped strengthen the Nation’s technological workforce.
[15] Humayun's paternal grandfather was Lt. Col. Dr Ilahi Bakhsh, the personal physician of Muhammad Ali Jinnah (one of his ancestors took the same role for the ruler of Punjab, Maharaja Ranjit Singh), while his maternal grandfather was Aslam Khattak who served as Governor of the North-West Frontier Province (1973-1974) under Zulfikar Ali Bhutto.
[26] The first USC Eye Institute patient received the implant post-FDA approval in June 2014,[27] and saw light one week following activation of device.
Humayun is one of two principal investigators working with USC Eye Institute researchers to study how to replace damaged retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells with stem cells to restore sight,[28] a potential cure for age-related macular degeneration, the leading cause of permanent impairment of reading and fine or close-up vision among people aged 65 years and older.