Cato T. Laurencin

Dr. Laurencin currently serves as the Albert and Wilda Van Dusen Distinguished Endowed Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of Connecticut and is one of two designated University Professors at the school. He is also a materials scientist and engineer and is a Professor of Materials Science and Engineering, a Professor of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, and a Professor of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Connecticut. He has been a professor at the University of Connecticut since 2008. He is the Chief Executive Officer of The Connecticut Convergence Institute for Translation in Regenerative Engineering. Previously, he served as Vice President for Health Affairs at the University of Connecticut Health Center and Dean of the University of Connecticut School of Medicine. From 2003 until 2008, Dr. Laurencin was the Lillian T. Pratt Distinguished Professor and Chair of the Department of Orthopedic Surgery at the University of Virginia. Dr. Laurencin was also designated a University Professor by the President of the University of Virginia. Prior to 2003, Dr. Laurencin held various positions of increasing responsibility at Drexel University, including the Helen I. Moorehead Distinguished Professor of Chemical Engineering, Vice Chairman of the Department of Orthopedic Surgery and Director of Shoulder Surgery, and at MCP-Hahnemann School of Medicine, where he served as Clinical Professor of Orthopedic Surgery and Research Professor of Pharmacology and Physiology. An International Fellow in Biomaterials Science and Engineering, he received the Founders Award from the Society for Biomaterials. He is an elected member of the National Academy of Medicine, the National Academy of Engineering, and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Dr. Laurencin is the recipient of the National Medal of Technology and Innovation, the nation’s highest honor for technological achievement. He has over 500 publications and patents.

Dr. Laurencin received his B.S.E. degree in engineering from Princeton University, his Ph.D. in biochemical engineering and biotechnology from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and his M.D. from Harvard Medical School. Dr. Laurencin was nominated to serve as a director because of his experience as a practitioner and professor of orthopedic surgery, as well as his deep technical, research, and clinical experience.