University News

August 13, 2025 | Jon D'Arpino

Sir Cato T. Laurencin of UConn to Receive the 2025 Blaise Pascal Medal in Materials Science

Professor Sir Cato T. Laurencin, MD, PhD, has been named the winner of the 2025 Blaise Pascal Medal in Materials Science from the European Academy of Sciences (EURASC) for his exceptional contributions to the field.

Dr. Cato T. Laurencin Blaise Pascal Award

Dr. Laurencin is the founder and pioneer of the field of Regenerative Engineering. He is an expert in biomaterials science, stem cell technology, biophysics, and nanotechnology and is a highly cited researcher in Materials Science and Engineering (Scopus). 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 was the recipient of the Acta Biomaterialia Gold Medal for demonstrated leadership in the field of Biomaterials. He was the Fred Kavli Distinguished Lecturer (The Materials Research Society) in Materials Science and Plenary Lecturer, and the Lee Hsun Lecturer in Materials Science, Shenyang University in China.

Laurencin has produced pioneering technologies for musculoskeletal repair and regeneration leveraging cutting edge expertise in polymeric materials science and engineering. He pioneered work using polymeric biomaterials for treating musculoskeletal disorders, with his work spanning fundamental research on polymeric materials to clinical trials and therapeutic applications. His versatile innovations in biomaterials have led to a range of products improving human health and marked the field’s strategic shift from “material substitution” to “tissue-inductive regeneration.” The American Institute of Chemical Engineers established the Cato T. Laurencin Regenerative Engineering Founder’s Award in recognition of his transformative contributions. Dr. Laurencin’s patented the L-C (Laurencin-Cooper) Ligament (U.S. Patent No. 8,486,143), used for soft tissue repair and regeneration of the Anterior Cruciate Ligament. It was the first to demonstrate that engineered soft tissue regeneration of tissues could occur in vivo without the use of morphogenetic substances, showing that materials could be bioinductive.

Laurencin has received the Founder’s Award (highest award) from the Society for Biomaterials, the Von Hippel Award (highest award) from the Materials Research Society, the James Bailey Award (highest award) from the Society for Biological Engineering, and the Priestley Medal (highest award) from the American Chemical Society. He received the NIH Director’s Pioneer Award, NIH’s highest and most prestigious research award, for his field of Regenerative Engineering and the National Science Foundation’s Emerging Frontiers in Research and Innovation Grant Award.

Laurencin is an elected member of the National Academy of Sciences, an elected member of the National Academy of Engineering, an elected member of the National Academy of Medicine, and an elected fellow of the National Academy of Inventors. Internationally, he is an elected fellow of the Indian National Academy of Sciences, the Indian National Academy of Engineering, the African Academy of Sciences, The World Academy of Sciences, the Royal Academy of Engineering, and is an Academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering.

Laurencin is the recipient of the National Medal of Technology and Innovation, America’s highest honor for technological achievement, awarded in ceremonies at the White House. He is the first individual in history to receive one of the oldest/highest awards of the National Academy of Medicine (the Walsh McDermott Medal) and the oldest/highest award of the National Academy of Engineering (the Simon Ramo Founder’s Award). Dr. Laurencin received the Dickson Prize in Medicine. Many of the Dickson Prize awardees have gone on to receive the Nobel Prize.

Sir Cato T. Laurencin was bestowed Knight Commander of the Order of St. Lucia, under the auspices of King Charles III of England by the General Governor of Lucia for his exceptional and outstanding service of national importance to Saint Lucia.

In being selected for the Blaise Pascal Medal, Rodrigo Martins, President of the European Academy of Sciences stated, “You have made transformative contributions to biomaterials and regenerative engineering. As the founder of regenerative engineering, you have merged materials science, biology, and medicine into a new paradigm. You are among the rare few elected to all US National Academies and your innovations have led to clinical advancements that improved human health.”

Laurencin is the University Professor and Albert and Wilda Van Dusen Distinguished Endowed Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery, Professor of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Professor of Materials Science and Engineering, and Professor of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Connecticut. He is the Chief Executive Officer of The Cato T. Laurencin Institute for Regenerative Engineering, a cross-university institute created and named in his honor at the University of Connecticut.

Laurencin will receive the Blaise Pascal Medal in Material Science at the 2025 Symposium & Ceremony of the European Academy of Sciences, to be held at the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) on December 17-18, 2025, in Geneva, Switzerland.