Cato T. Laurencin, MD, PhD - Undergraduate Travel Fellowship
Named in honor of a distinguished member of the Society For Biomaterials, Cato T. Laurencin, M.D., Ph.D., the Undergraduate Travel Fellowship will support underrepresented minorities in the field of biomaterials by providing an undergraduate student 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.
Studies conducted by the National Science Foundation and others have concluded that African-Americans, Latinos, Native-Americans, and Native Alaskans are disproportionately underrepresented in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM). Their underrepresentation represents a barrier to excellence in these fields.
Dr. Cato Laurencin is well known for his commitment to mentoring. 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.
Dr. Laurencin is the Founding Director of the Institute for Regenerative Engineering, and the Founding Director of the Raymond and Beverly Sackler Center for Biomedical, Biological, Physical, and Engineering Sciences at the University of Connecticut. The Albert and Wilda Van Dusen Distinguished Endowed Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery, and Professor of Chemical Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering, and Biomedical Engineering, he is the 8th designated University Professor in UCONN’s History. An elected member of the National Academy of Medicine and the National Academy of Engineering, he is the recipient of the N.I.H. Director’s Pioneer Award. In the Society For Biomaterials, Dr. Laurencin has served as a meeting Opening Keynote Speaker, Chair of the Special Interest Group Committee, and has received both 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.
This travel fellowship includes registration, airfare, hotel, transfers, and meals to the SFB Annual Meeting and Exposition held annually. Each awardee will also be given a complimentary membership in the Society For Biomaterials and assigned a graduate student mentor to guide them through the meeting and help them pursue their advanced degree and career goals.
To apply for this travel fellowship for the 2026 Society For Biomaterials Annual Meeting & Exposition in Atlanta, Georgia (March 25 - 28, 2026), please submit the application form by December 3, 2025.
The Society gratefully acknowledges the support of our sponsors for this initiative:
