Meet Dr. Samuel Laurencin, 36, chief resident in the Department of Orthopedic Surgery at UConn School of Medicine and a rising star in the field.

He also happens to be the nephew of world renowned orthopedic surgeon and physician-scientist Dr. Cato T. Laurencin who serves as University Professor at UConn and the Albert and Wilda Van Dusen Distinguished Endowed Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at UConn Health.

After completing his UConn residency training this summer, Samuel is headed to Harvard-Massachusetts General Hospital for a one-year fellowship in adult reconstruction surgery.

Samuel says his hands-on part-time working experience in his talented uncle’s innovative research laboratory while in high school inspired his career in orthopedic surgery.

“Fortunately, having Dr. Laurencin as a family member and mentor helped shaped my career aspirations,” shared Samuel. “Volunteering in my uncle’s research lab inspired me to study biomaterials for musculoskeletal applications and allowed me to see first-hand the intersection between engineering and medicine, particularly orthopedic surgery.”

Samuel’s career plans are to practice in an academic setting as a physician-scientist. He plans to explore regenerative engineering while practicing as an orthopedic surgeon specializing in joint replacement.

“I plan to remain committed to teaching and community outreach during my career,” says Samuel. “Most admirable is Dr. Laurencin’s commitment to his family. Thus my main goal in life is to remain a supportive husband to my wife of 5 years – Nicole – and a good father to our 3 year old daughter Olivia and newborn son, Julian.”

According to Samuel, training at UConn has been a phenomenal experience.

“Having the chance to operate with my uncle and be mentored has been an experience I will always cherish,” stressed Samuel.

Samuel is from Philadelphia and attended Drexel University where he completed his bachelor of science, masters of science, and Ph.D. in chemical engineering, along with his medical degree.