Dr. Cato T. Laurencin
There have been amazing advancements in Regenerative Engineering to treat musculoskeletal conditions — so much so, that the possibility of limb and tissue regeneration is not just a distant dream, but could soon be a reality. This emerging field has been pioneered by Dr. Cato T. Laurencin, an engineer, orthopedic surgeon, scientist, and inventor.
Dr. Laurencin has advanced the development of biomaterials for the generation of bone, tissue, and ligaments, including techniques using stem cells and nanotechnology. His research has the potential to transform the lives of those who have experienced amputations because of disease or accidents, and for children born with missing limbs.
He has been widely recognized as a dedicated mentor for students underrepresented in STEM fields. To encourage young inventors, he founded the Regenerative Engineering Society, which publishes a journal containing article summaries written at a middle-school level.
Among his many honors, Dr. Laurencin is the first surgeon in history elected to all four national science academies, and was named 2023 Inventor of the Year by The Intellectual Property Owners Education Foundation.
North Philadelphia born and raised, Dr. Laurencin earned a BSE in Chemical Engineering from Princeton University, an MD from Harvard Medical School, and a PhD in Biochemical Engineering/Biotechnology from Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
