Professor Sir Cato T. Laurencin, M.D., Ph.D., K.C.S.L., is certified as a director by the National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD), holding the NACD Directorship Certified® credential. The NACD is the most trusted association for board directors and promotes excellence in board governance.
Day 3 of the Summit focused on the theme “Leading by Example.” Panelists explored key topics such as mentorship, succession planning, and tailoring AI governance to specific cases. The discussion dovetailed well with Laurencin’s book “Success is What you Leave Behind” where it emphasized that true leadership involves planting seeds for the future – mentorship being a central part of that legacy.
Laurencin is the founder of the field of Regenerative Engineering, recognized as its father for his groundbreaking work and leadership in the convergence of materials science including nanotechnology, stem cell biology, biophysics, developmental biology and clinical translation for tissues and organ regeneration. For his pioneering work, the American Institute of Chemical Engineers Foundation created the Cato T. Laurencin Founder’s Award in Regenerative Engineering in his honor.
Laurencin is active as a board member. He serves as president and chair of the Board of Directors for the Connecticut National Medical Association Society (CTNMA) and president and chair of the Board of Directors of the Regenerative Engineering Society. He currently serves on the Board (Council) of the National Academy of Medicine (NAM), and the Board of Directors of the National Academy of Inventors (NAI). He is currently a board member of two public companies, Mimedx and Alkermes, and on the boards of numerous start-up companies.
He has received numerous prestigious awards, including the Priestley Medal (the highest award from the American Chemical Society), the Founder’s Award (highest award) from the Society for Biomaterials, the Founder’s Award (highest award) from the American Institute of Chemical Engineers, the Von Hippel Award from the Materials Research Society, and the James Bailey Award from the Society for Biological Engineering. He received the NIH Director’s Pioneer Award – NIH’s highest and most prestigious research award – for his work in Regenerative Engineering, as well as the National Science Foundation’s Emerging Frontiers in Research and Innovation Grant Award. Laurencin is the editor-in-chief of Regenerative Engineering and Translational Medicine, published by Springer Nature, and is the founder of the Regenerative Engineering Society. Most recently he received the highest honor of the American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists.
Laurencin is the University Professor at UConn and Albert and Wilda Van Dusen Distinguished Endowed Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at UConn School of Medicine, professor of Chemical Engineering and Biomolecular Engineering, professor of Materials Science and Engineering, and professor of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Connecticut. He is the CEO of The Cato T. Laurencin Institute for Regenerative Engineering, a cross-university institute created and named in his honor at the University of Connecticut.
Professor Sir Cato T. Laurencin was bestowed Knight Commander of the Order of St. Lucia, under the auspices of King Charles III of England through the Governor General of St. Lucia.
