Isaiah Williams, a senior biomedical engineering student at the University of Connecticut, and Joshua Wilkins, a senior biomedical engineering student at North Carolina A&T State University were the recipients of the Society For Biomaterials Cato T. Laurencin, MD, Ph.D. Undergraduate Travel Fellowship Award.<\/p>\n
Named in honor of Professor Sir Cato T. Laurencin, MD, Ph.D., KCSL, distinguished member of the Society For Biomaterials (SFB), the Cato T. Laurencin Fellowship has an emphasis on supporting those traditionally underrepresented in the field of biomaterials by providing undergraduate students with the resources to attend the annual meeting of the Society For Biomaterials, and to become a member of the Society. The goal of this initiative is to stimulate\/encourage recipients to pursue a career in biomaterials. The fellowship provided the opportunity for Isaiah and Joshua to travel to the 2026 SFB Annual Meeting and Exposition in Atlanta, GA. It includes registration, airfare, hotel, transfers, and meals to the SFB Annual Meeting and Exposition held annually. Each awardee also receives a complimentary membership in the Society For Biomaterials and is assigned a graduate student mentor to guide them through the meeting and help them pursue their advanced degree and career goals.<\/p>\n
SFB’s Annual Meeting is the preeminent conference for biomaterials science. Each year, the Society provides a diverse program of sessions, panels, and workshops relating to special interest groups, specific topics, and important issues. The meeting is a welcoming community of academics, industry leaders, scientists, and students, networking and discussing the latest research and innovations in the field.<\/p>\n
Laurencin is well known for his commitment to mentoring, especially underrepresented students. He is the recipient of the American Association for the Advancement of Science Mentor Award, the Beckman Award for Mentoring, the Alvin F. Crawford Award for Mentoring, and received the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Engineering and Math Mentoring from President Barack Obama in ceremonies at the White House.<\/p>\n
He created and established the UConn (YIIP) Young Innovative Investigator Program, the UConn ASPIRE Program, (A Scientific Program in Regenerative Engineering) funded by the Department of Education, the UConn M-1 Mentorship Program, the UConn Pre-K K Award Application Training Program, the UConn Emerging Frontiers in Research and Innovation REM and REU Programs funded by NSF, and the UConn Graduate Training Program in Regenerative Engineering funded by an NIH T32 Institutional Training Grant.<\/p>\n
In the Society For Biomaterials, Laurencin has served as a meeting Opening Keynote Speaker, Chair of the Special Interest Group Committee, a member of the Board of Directors, and has received the Clemson Award for Contributions to the Literature, and the Technology Innovation and Development Award from the Society. He is an International Fellow in Biomaterials Science and Engineering. He received the Founder\u2019s Award from the Society for Biomaterials.<\/p>\n
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. He is the first surgeon in history elected to all four of these academies. He is a Fellow of academies throughout the world including the Royal Academy of Engineering, the Chinese Academy of Engineering, and the Indian Academy of Engineering.<\/p>\n
At the University of Connecticut, Laurencin serves as University Professor and Albert and Wilda Van Dusen Distinguished Endowed Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at UConn School of Medicine, professor of Chemical Engineering, professor of Materials Science and Engineering, and professor of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Connecticut. Laurencin 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 UConn.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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