Month: September 2016

Regenerative Engineering Society

Posted on by Melanie L Burnat

By Cato T. Laurencin, M.D., Ph.D.

I am delighted to officially announce the launch of Regenerative Engineering Society. The mission of the Regenerative Engineering Society is to promote and advance regenerative engineering, a field defined as the Convergence of Advanced Materials Sciences, Stem Cell Sciences, Physics, Developmental Biology and Clinical Translation for the regeneration of complex tissues and organ systems. With the new society we want to bundle our expertise on a national level. This will not only allow us to enhance our capabilities in the U.S. but this will also contribute towards enhancing our visibility internationally.

The founding leadership of the Regenerative Engineering Society are: Dr. Cato Laurencin from University of Connecticut (Chair), Dr. Lakshmi Nair from UConn Health (Secretary), Dr. Yusuf Khan from University of Connecticut (Treasurer), Dr. Ali Khademhousseini from MIT (Board), Dr. Kevin Lo from UConn Health (Board), Dr. David Gardiner from University of California, Irvine (Board), and Dr. Guillermo Ameer from Northwestern University (Board).

For more information, please visit the society’s website at http://www.aiche.org/resociety

Speaking at the American Chemical Society Committee on Minority Affairs Luncheon

Posted on by Melanie L Burnat

By Cato T. Laurencin, M.D., Ph.D.

Last month, I was really honored to be the keynote speaker the American Chemical Society’s Committee on Minority Affairs Luncheon in Philadelphia. I discussed my thoughts on developing students to work in the area of STEM. My parents inspired me to study medicine and engineering so I hope by speaking at the American Chemical Society, I can encourage and insprire many young people to follow my path.

The Committee on Minority Affairs (CMA) aims to lead change in institutional culture within the American Chemical Society (ACS) and the chemical enterprise and achieve full participation and expression of intellectual and creative capacity of underrepresented minorities.

Speaking at the American Chemical Society Committee on Minority Affairs Luncheon

Cato T. Laurencin, M.D., Ph.D. Lifetime Research Award

Posted on by Melanie L Burnat

By Cato T. Laurencin, M.D., Ph.D.

I am pleased to announce Dr. James R. Gavin III is the recipient of the 2016 Cato T. Laurencin, M.D., Ph.D. Lifetime Research Award. This research award recognizes a lifelong dedication to the true science of medicine as a master clinician, incomparable researcher and teacher with the unique skills attributed to my vision.

Dr. Gavin is Clinical Professor of Medicine at both Emory University and Indiana University School of Medicine. He was president of the Morehouse School of Medicine in Atlanta from 2002-2004. He served as senior scientific officer at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) from 1991-2002 and director of the HHMI-National Institutes of Health Research Scholars Program from 2000-2002. After graduating from Livingstone College in North Carolina in 1966 with a degree in chemistry, he earned his Ph.D. in biochemistry from Emory University in 1970 and his M.D. from Duke University School of Medicine in 1975.

Dr. Gavin represents the quintessential scientist, educator, trailblazer, and type of leader most people aspire to become. On behalf of the Board of Directors of the W. Montague Cobb/NMA Health Institute, I thank Dr. Gavin for his many efforts and resulting accomplishments.

The Meritorious Achievement Award

Posted on by Melanie L Burnat

By Cato T. Laurencin, M.D., Ph.D.

The Meritorious Achievement Award

On July 30, I was honored to be named the recipient of the Meritorious Achievement Award during the opening awards ceremony of the National Medical Association’s 2016 Annual Convention and Scientific Assembly in Los Angeles.

This achievement award is given for noted national and international achievement and prominence. In addition, this award recognizes individuals of national and international stature whose efforts significantly benefit health and medicine.

My sincere and humble thanks to the NMA for granting me this notable honor.