The European Academy of Sciences is proud to celebrate a prestigious recognition granted to one of its distinguished Fellows. Professor Cato T. Laurencin, EurASc Member since 2022, has been appointed Knight Commander of the Order of St. Lucia, one of the highest national honours of the Caribbean island, established by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and awarded under the auspices of His Majesty King Charles III.
This title was conferred upon Prof. Laurencin in recognition of his outstanding scientific, medical, and societal contributions, particularly as the founder of the field of regenerative engineering — an interdisciplinary domain that bridges materials science, nanotechnology, stem cell science, and clinical translation to revolutionise tissue regeneration and orthopaedic care.
Prof. Laurencin is internationally renowned as a visionary in translational science and equity-driven innovation. His work has influenced not only the scientific community but also the lives of countless patients through novel technologies and treatments. Among his many distinctions, he holds the rare honour of being the only surgeon elected to all four major U.S. National Academies:
National Academy of Sciences
National Academy of Engineering
National Academy of Medicine
National Academy of Inventors
At the University of Connecticut (UConn), Prof. Laurencin serves as:
Chief Executive Officer, The Cato T. Laurencin Institute for Regenerative Engineering
University Professor (the highest academic title at UConn)
Albert and Wilda Van Dusen Distinguished Endowed Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery
He also holds professorships in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering, and Biomedical Engineering.
In his acceptance remarks, Prof. Laurencin reflected on the honour with humility and pride:
“St. Lucia is an extraordinary country, with extraordinary people. In being Knighted through the auspices of King Charles III, I am proud to be included among fellow Knights such as the late Sir Derek Walcott, winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature.”
This distinction is not only a celebration of Prof. Laurencin’s scientific legacy but also a tribute to his tireless efforts to inspire future generations, promote diversity and inclusion in science, and foster global collaboration in service of humanity.
The European Academy of Sciences warmly congratulates Prof. Laurencin for this well-deserved honour, which perfectly reflects EurASc’s values of excellence, impact, and service to society.
📄 Source: University of Connecticut News
📸 Photo credits: University of Connecticut
🔗 Read the full article on UConn Today