Laurencin, Cato T.

Sir Cato Thomas Laurencin (born January 15, 1959) is an American engineer, physician, scientist, and professor of the University of Connecticut. He is also the chief executive officer of The Cato T. Laurencin Institute for Regenerative Engineering. Laurencin is regarded as the founder of the field of Regenerative Engineering. He is the Editor-in-Chief of the journal Regenerative Engineering and Translational Medicine and Founder and president of the Regenerative Engineering Society. He is an elected member of the National Academy of Engineering, the National Academy of Medicine, the National Academy of Sciences, and the National Academy of Inventors. He is the first surgeon in history to be elected to all four academies, and is the first person to receive both the oldest/highest awards from the National Academy of Engineering (the Simon Ramo Founder's Award) and the oldest/highest National Academy of Medicine (the Walsh McDermott Medal). Laurencin received the Philip Hague Abelson Prize, the highest honor of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and the National Medal of Technology and Innovation, America's highest honor for technological advancement, awarded by President Barack Obama. 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 outstanding service of national importance to Saint Lucia.