The American Chemical Society (ACS) held their annual fall conference in Denver. The Division of Polymeric Materials Science and Engineering highlighted the Regenerative Engineering Society which was founded by Dr. Cato T. Laurencin. The mission of the Regenerative Engineering Society (RES) is to promote and advance regenerative engineering, a field defined as the convergence of Advanced Materials Sciences, Stem Cell Science, Physics, Developmental Biology, and Clinical Translation for the regeneration of complex tissues and organ systems.
The Rock Stars of Regenerative Engineering conference gathers world-renowned regenerative engineers and scientists to provide their insights on research and the future direction of the field. In addition to these leading researchers, up and coming Shining Stars deliver talks on their work. Rising Stars, generally students and post-docs, have opportunities to connect with leaders in the field and share their research through poster presentations.
This year’s Rock Stars were Dr. Jason Burdick (University of Colorado), Dr. Johnny Huard (Steadman Philippon Research Inst.), Dr. Phillip Messersmith (University of California Berkeley), Dr. Laura Niklason (Yale University), Dr. Buddy Ratner (University of Washington), Dr. Molly Shoichet (University of Toronto), Dr. William Wagner (University of Pittsburgh) and Dr. Fan Yang (Stanford University).
Laurencin was named one of 100 Engineers of the Modern Era by the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) for pioneering polymer-ceramic systems for musculoskeletal usage. Using them for bone regeneration, he has also inspired other technologies for bone repair and regeneration and for bioceramic implants (such as interference screws for musculoskeletal repair).
In recognition of his innovation and achievement in chemistry, Laurencin has earned the William Grimes Award from the American Institute of Chemical Engineers and the Founders Award from the American Institute of Chemical Engineers, their highest honor. The American Institute of Chemical Engineers created the Cato T. Laurencin Regenerative Engineering Founder’s Award, named in his honor. The Society for Biological Engineering bestowed the James Bailey Award (their highest award) on Laurencin, while he received the Percy Julian Medal, the highest award of the National Organization of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers. In Chemistry Laurencin received the Priestley Medal, the highest honor from the American Chemical Society.
Laurencin is a professor of chemical and biomolecular engineering, materials science and engineering, and biomedical engineering at UConn. He earned his B.S.E in chemical engineering from Princeton University and his medical degree, Magna Cum Laude, from Harvard Medical School and his Ph.D. in biochemical engineering/biotechnology from M.I.T. Laurencin is the first engineer-scientist-surgeon to be elected to all four National Academies: the National Academy of Sciences, the National Academy of Engineering, the National Academy of Medicine, and the National Academy of Inventors.
