Cato T. Laurencin
University of Connecticute, USA
2020

Cato T. Laurencin, M.D., Ph.D. is a designated University Professor at the University of Connecticut. He is the Albert and Wilda Van Dusen Distinguished Endowed Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery, Professor of Chemical, Materials, and Biomedical Engineering, and Chief Executive Officer of the Connecticut Convergence Institute for Translation in Regenerative Engineering at the University of Connecticut.

Dr. Laurencin earned a B.S.E. in Chemical Engineering from Princeton University, his M.D., Magna Cum Laude, from the Harvard Medical School and his Ph.D. in Biochemical Engineering/Biotechnology from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Dr. Laurencin is a pioneer of the new field, Regenerative Engineering. He is an expert in biomaterials science, stem cell technology and nanotechnology and received the NIH Director’s Pioneer Award–NIH’s highest and most prestigious research award–for his new field of Regenerative Engineering. The American Association for the Advancement of Science awarded Dr. Laurencin the Philip Hauge Abelson Prize given ‘for signal contributions to the advancement of science in the United States.’ It should be noted that Dr. Laurencin is the first to receive both the Walsh McDermott Medal (highest award/oldest award) from the National Academy of Medicine and the Simon Ramo Founder’s Award (highest award/oldest award) from the National Academy of Engineering given for ‘fundamental, critical, and groundbreaking work in using polymers for musculoskeletal purposes’.

Dr. Laurencin received the National Medal of Technology and Innovation, America’s highest honor for technological achievement, from President Barack Obama in ceremonies at the White House. He is the first orthopaedic surgeon and the first Black physician to receive the National Medal.

Dr. Laurencin is active in mentoring, and received the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Mentor Award, the Beckman Award for Mentoring, and the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Math and Engineering Mentoring in ceremonies at the White House. The Society for Biomaterials established The Cato T. Laurencin, M.D., Ph.D. Travel Fellowship Award given to underrepresented minority students pursuing research.

Dr. Laurencin is an elected member of the National Academy of Medicine, and an elected member of the National Academy of Engineering and an elected member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Active internationally, he is an elected fellow of the Indian National Academy of Sciences, the Indian National Academy of Engineering, the African Academy of Sciences, The World Academy of Sciences, and is an Academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering.