Dr. Cato T. Laurencin to Receive the Kathryn C. Hach Award for Entrepreneurial Success

Posted on by Jini I Davis

The American Chemical Society (ACS) has selected University of Connecticut’s Dr. Cato T. Laurencin as the 2024 recipient of its Kathryn C. Hach Award for Entrepreneurial Success.

As the national awardee, Laurencin is recognized for his use of the transforming power of chemistry to improve people’s lives. The hallmark of this contribution is impact: positive impact on people’s lives and positive impact on the economy by creating jobs that produce a significant economic benefit.

Laurencin’s innovations in regenerative engineering and his impact on the fields of biomaterials, nanotechnology, and stem cell science have had an immeasurable impact. As the leading international figure in polymeric biomaterials chemistry and engineering, he has made not only extraordinary scientific contributions, but has contributed through innovation and invention.

In Connecticut, Laurencin was the lead faculty architect for Bioscience Connecticut. Start-up companies he has founded have led to products now on the market. He received the Connecticut Medal of Technology in recognition of his work in the state.

Nationally, Laurencin is a Fellow of the National Academy of Inventors, and the first surgeon elected to all 4 of the U.S. National Academies. He serves on the board of directors of the National Academy of Inventors and on the National Academy of Inventors Selection Committee.

He received the National Medal of Technology and Innovation, America’ highest recognition for technological achievement, from the President of the United States.  In service to our nation, he serves as Vice-Chair of the National Medal of Technology and Innovation Nomination and Evaluation Committee, appointed by both the Trump and Biden administrations.

Most recently, he received the Inventor of the Year Award presented to the world’s most outstanding recent inventors from the Intellectual Property Owners Education Foundation (IPOEF). The IPOEF’s board of directors voted unanimously for him, recognizing his impact on biomaterials, nanotechnology, stem cell science, and the field of regenerative engineering.

Best Materials Science Scientists

Posted on by Jini I Davis

The 1st edition of Research.com ranking of the best scientists in the arena of materials science is based on data consolidated from various data sources, including data sources including OpenAlex and CrossRef. The bibliometric data for estimating the citation-based metrics were gathered on December 6th, 2021.

Position in the ranking is based on a scientist’s D- index (Discipline H- index), which only includes papers and citation values for an examined discipline.

 

1st Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation Research Day

Posted on by Jini I Davis

On May 10 the University of Connecticut hosted the first The Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation (TRHT) Research Day at its UConn Hartford campus.  This research day is a part of a series of events centered around TRHT and is sponsored by UConn’s Office for Diversity and Inclusion.

The Cato T. Laurencin Institute at UConn School of Medicine has many programs and initiatives that revolve around solving health disparities. The institute reports on the scholarly progress of work to understand, address, and eliminate health disparities based on race and ethnicity.

Read the full article here: https://today.uconn.edu/2023/06/uconn-health-faculty-and-students-at-the-inaugural-truth-racial-healing-and-transformation-trht-research-day/

 

 

Healing Big Broken Bones With a Small Molecule

Posted on by Jini I Davis

UConn Health scientists describe a new method that can promote regrowth of long bones more affordably and with fewer side effects than other techniques

University Professor Dr. Cato T. Laurencin and colleagues at UConn School of Medicine used a slightly different approach to encourage bone growth. They wanted to release a medicine directly where new bone needed to grow, and do it in a short period of time. 

Read the full article here: https://today.uconn.edu/2023/05/healing-big-broken-bones-with-a-small-molecule/

Advanced rotator cuff treatment repairs and protects shoulder muscle from reinjury

Posted on by Jini I Davis

A new paper in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) is reporting that a graphene/polymer matrix embedded into shoulder muscle can prevent re-tear injuries. The technique uses advanced materials to encourage muscle growth in rotator cuff muscles and address the real problem: muscle degeneration and fat accumulation. Read more by clicking the link below.

Advanced rotator cuff treatment repairs and protects shoulder muscle from reinjury – An article done by Canada Today

 

Dr. Laurencin Awarded by AICHE Receiving the 2023 Priestley Medal

Posted on by Jini I Davis

On March 28 Dr. Cato T. Laurencin, the University Professor and Albert and Wilda Van Dusen Distinguished Endowed Professor at the University of Connecticut, received the 2023 Priestley Medal. This is the highest honor of the American Chemical Society. He was honored “for pioneering, breakthrough work on polymeric materials and polymer composites for biologic use, and for leadership in inclusion, diversity, equity, anti-racism and learning (IDEAL).”

In chemistry and materials science, Laurencin is a pioneer in polymeric materials chemistry, and polymeric materials science engineering for musculoskeletal systems. He produced seminal research work and discoveries in patents and papers on polymeric nanofiber technology, ushering in the field of polymeric nanomaterials for tissue regeneration. His work in published papers and patents focusing on polymer-ceramic systems inspired the development of biocomposite materials including interference screws for which he was named “One of the 100 Engineers of the Modern Era” by the American Institute of Chemical Engineers at their centennial celebration. Fundamental research on polymeric fiber system for soft tissue regeneration has led to a number of soft tissue regenerative systems including the Laurencin-Copper (LC) bioengineered anterior cruciate ligament, now in humans. His work on engineered materials for soft tissue regeneration was highlighted by National Geographic Magazine in its “100 Scientific Discoveries that Changed the World” edition. He has worked with industry on the development and understanding of systems combining polymeric materials and allograft human tissue, creating technologies helping patients throughout the world.

 

Read the full article: https://today.uconn.edu/2023/03/dr-cato-t-laurencin-awarded-by-the-american-chemical-society-receiving-the-2023-priestley-medal/

Dr. Cato T. Laurencin Meets Pope Francis

Posted on by Jini I Davis

Professor Cato T Laurencin was invited to the Vatican to meet with Pope Francis and to discuss his work on Regenerative Engineering. During the visit. Dr. Laurencin gave Pope Francis an honorary Cato T. Laurencin Regenerative Engineering Founder’s Award Medal.

This medal, endowed by the Regenerative Engineering Society and the American Institute of Chemical Engineers Foundation, recognizes leadership in the science and practice of convergence research as applied to regeneration.

Dr. Laurencin has made seminal contributions to tissue regeneration, biomaterials science, and nanotechnology. He founded the field of regenerative engineering and has been considered to be the foremost engineer-physician-scientist in the world. His groundbreaking achievements have led to important advances in improving human life. He is the first surgeon to be elected to the National Academy of Sciences, the National Academy of Engineering, the National Academy of Medicine and the National Academy of Inventors. During his visit to the Vatican, Dr. Laurencin provided an important lecture on the field of Regenerative Engineering. He discussed the Hartford Engineering a Limb project aimed at addressing the grand challenge of whole limb regeneration. Laurencin is the University Professor and Albert and Wilda Van Dusen Distinguished Endowed Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of Connecticut.