UConn Health

June 8, 2026 | Jon D'Arpino

Professor Sir Cato T. Laurencin Receives Honorary Doctorate from University of South Florida

Laurencin was honored by the University of South Florida (USF) with an Honorary Doctorate in Engineering.

Dr Laurencin Honorary Degree USF

Above: Professor Sir Cato T. Laurencin (center) is presented with his Honorary Doctorate in Engineering by Moez Limayem, USF President (left) and by Levi Thompson, Dean, USF College of Engineering.

Laurencin was nominated by Levi Thompson, Dean, College of Engineering and Norma Alcantar, Associate Dean for Research, College of Engineering at USF.

In a recommendation letter to Moez Limayem, USF President, Sophia Han, Ph.D., Chair, Honors and Awards Council, USF Faculty Senate noted “Sir Cato T. Laurencin’s career exemplifies engineering innovation at its highest level, advancing fundamental science, creating new technologies, shaping global research directions, and profoundly improving human health. His achievements make him an extraordinary and highly deserving candidate for an Honorary Ph.D. in Engineering at the University of South Florida. His track record points to someone to whom the University would be proudly associated.”

Laurencin is internationally acclaimed as the founder of the field of Regenerative Engineering, pioneering the convergence of advanced materials science, stem cell biology, physics, developmental biology, and clinical translation for the regeneration of complex tissues and organ systems. His pioneering achievements have earned him recognition as the “Father of Regenerative Engineering,” and the American Institute of Chemical Engineers Foundation established and endowed the Cato T. Laurencin Founder’s Award in Regenerative Engineering in his honor.

Laurencin is the first surgeon in history elected to all four major U.S. national academies. He is an elected member of the National Academy of Sciences, the National Academy of Engineering, and the National Academy of Medicine, and an elected fellow of the National Academy of Inventors. He is also an elected fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and an elected fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

In receiving the Spingarn Medal from the NAACP, he was recognized as the world’s foremost engineer-physician-scientist. He has received the highest recognitions across science, engineering, and medicine, including the Priestley Medal, the highest honor of the American Chemical Society, the Simon Ramo Founders Award, the highest honor of the National Academy of Engineering, and the Philip Hauge Abelson Prize of the American Association of the Advancement of Science.

At the University of Connecticut, Sir Cato Laurencin serves as the University Professor and Albert and Wilda Van Dusen Distinguished Endowed Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at UConn School of Medicine. He is professor of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, professor of Materials Science and Engineering and professor of Biomedical Engineering. He is the Chief Executive Officer of The Cato T. Laurencin Institute for Regenerative Engineering, an Institute created and named in his honor.

Sir Cato Laurencin received his B.S.E. in Chemical Engineering at Princeton, his Ph.D. in Biochemical Engineering/Biotechnology from M.I.T. and his M.D., Magna Cum Laude from Harvard Medical School.

In recognition of his global contributions, Laurencin was bestowed Knight Commander of the Order of St. Lucia, conferred under the auspices of King Charles III through the Governor General of St. Lucia.