UConn chemical engineering student Sydney Wimberley is one of two students awarded a 2019 Cato T. Laurencin Travel Fellowship through the Society For Biomaterials (SFB).
The award supports underrepresented minorities in the field of biomaterials by providing an undergraduate student with resources to attend the SFB’s Annual Meeting.
Laurencin is a distinguished member of the Society for Biomaterials, and well known for his commitment to mentoring. He is the recipient of the American Association for the Advancement of Science Mentor Award, and received the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Engineering and Math Mentoring from President Barack Obama in ceremonies at the White House. Laurencin is the 8th designated University Professor in UConn’s history, the Albert and Wilda Van Dusen Distinguished Endowed Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery, and Professor of Chemical Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering, and Biomedical Engineering at the University of Connecticut. He is the recipient of the National Medal of Technology and Innovation.
Wimberley’s nomination included a career goal statement which stated, in part, that by receiving the Fellowship, it will present her with “the chance to participate, absorb, and learn about the field of study I am interested in pursuing.”
“I grew up in a town adjacent to Hartford, where Dr. Laurencin has become a person of inspiration because of his outstanding scientific work in biomaterials, which has helped so many,” she says.
The other recipient was Kia Clarke, who is studying at the Florida Institute of Technology. Both students will have the opportunity for membership in the Society For Biomaterials.
The award is made possible by grants from the Burroughs Wellcome Fund, the National Institutes of Health, and SFB member donations.
In order to be considered for the grant, students submit transcripts, a letter of support from an adviser or mentor, a project statement on what they’re currently working on that is directly related to biomaterials, and a career goals statement.
Being awarded with a travel scholarship to the SFB Annual Meeting means that students have the opportunity to meet with distinguished and seasoned scientists in the field, hear from state-of-the-art speakers and learn about industry advancements, such as 3D printing, cardiovascular biomaterials and blood compatibility, nanomaterials drug delivery, engineered microenvironments in health and disease, and much more. The 2019 Annual Meeting, April 3-6 in Seattle, will include poster sessions, abstracts, and a keynote address by Rick Horwitz of the Allen Institute for Cell Science.
The meeting also offers networking events where students can speak with attendees about potential internship opportunities, learn about specialties, and visit exhibitors.
Along with membership in the SFB and a grant to travel to and participate in the SFB Annual Meeting, the recipients will be assigned a graduate student mentor to guide them through the annual meeting and help them pursue their advanced degrees and career goals.
Learn more about the Cato T. Laurencin, M.D., Ph.D. Travel Fellowship.
About the Society For Biomaterials (SFB)
The Society For Biomaterials is a multidisciplinary society of academic, healthcare, governmental and business professionals dedicated to promoting advancements in all aspects of biomaterial science, education and professional standards to enhance human health and quality of life. Find out more at www.biomaterials.org.
—Society For Biomaterials Executive Director Dan Lemyre contributed to this report.
