"for pioneering work in engineering of musculoskeletal tissues, for extraordinary work guiding technology and science policy, and for promoting ethnic diversity and excellence in science"
Cato T. Laurencin is internationally-renowned in biomaterials science. He is the University Professor and Albert and Wilda Van Dusen Distinguished Endowed Professor at the University of Connecticut. He earned his BSE degree in chemical engineering
from Princeton University, his PhD degree in biochemical engineering/biotechnology from Massachusetts Institute of Technology and his MD degree magna cum laude from the Harvard Medical School. Laurencin published the seminal papers
and patents on nanomaterials science for tissue regeneration. For pioneering work on polymer-ceramic systems for bone regeneration, he was named one of the 100 Engineers of the Modern Era by the American Institute of Chemical Engineers. The pioneer
of the field of regenerative engineering, the American Association for the Advancement of Science awarded Laurencin the Philip Hauge Abelson Prize "for signal contributions to the advancement of science in the United States." He is the only individual
to receive both the oldest/highest award of the National Academy of Engineering (the Simon Ramo Founder’s Award) and the oldest/highest award of the National Academy of Medicine (the Walsh McDermott Medal).