Richard R. Tarr is President and Executive Director of the InMotion Orthopaedic Research Center, and he holds an adjunct professorship from the University of Memphis. This independent nonprofit orthopaedics laboratory specializes in translational research, which promotes basic discoveries into clinical applications. “Translating Ideas Into Treatment,” InMotion reaches to the next generation of orthopaedics, improving mobility and reducing disability.
Mr. Tarr served as DePuy’s Vice President of Worldwide Research and Emerging Technologies. He retired on July 1, 2005 after 20 years of service. He was responsible for DePuy’s worldwide research initiatives to bring new technology products to market, particularly in the emerging technologies area. He was directly responsible for the new 50,000 sq. ft. research facilities in Warsaw, Indiana, opened and dedicated in September, 2003. In addition, Mr. Tarr oversaw research and development on a worldwide basis, working with the respective vice presidents of Research and Development in each of the DePuy business units and ensuring that DePuy retained the highest standards of product safety and efficacy.
Mr. Tarr joined DePuy in 1985 and progressed through research and development, holding positions of Director, Hip, Extremities, Sports Medicine, Trauma Product Development, and Ancillary Orthopaedics; General Manager, DePuy DuPont Orthopaedics; Vice President, R & D; Senior Vice President, R & D; Chief Technology Officer; Vice President, Worldwide Research and Orthobiologics; and finally, Vice President, Worldwide Research and Emerging Technologies.
Prior to joining DePuy, Mr. Tarr was an Instructor in research orthopaedics and Director of the Orthopaedic Biomechanics Laboratory at the University of Southern California School of Medicine. Previously, he served as a Research Associate at the University of Miami School of Medicine’s Department of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation and as a Design Engineer with Northwestern University’s Rehabilitation Engineering Program.
Mr. Tarr holds five patents on orthopaedic products and instruments and frequently speaks and publishes on orthopaedic research topics. A biomedical engineering graduate of Northwestern University, Mr. Tarr received an M.S. degree in Bioengineering from Texas A&M University and completed a three-year tour of duty in the U.S. Army Medical Corps, where he obtained his radiologic technologist training.