Cato T. Laurencin, MD, PhD - Undergraduate Travel Fellowship
Named in honor of a distinguished member of the Society For Biomaterials, the Cato T. Laurencin, M.D., Ph.D., Travel 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.
From the National Science Foundation website: “The share of science and engineering (S&E) bachelor’s and doctorate degrees awarded to underrepresented minorities—Hispanics or Latinos, Blacks or African Americans, and American Indians or Alaska Natives—has increased over the past two decades. Despite this progress, these groups continue to be underrepresented among S&E degree recipients relative to their representation in the overall population. (Source: https://www.ncses.nsf.gov/pubs/nsf19304/digest/field-of-degree-minorities)
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 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.
In the Society For Biomaterials, Dr. 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’s Award from the Society for Biomaterials.
Dr. Laurencin is the recipient of the National Medal of Technology and Innovation, America’s highest honor for technological achievement, awarded by President Barack Obama in ceremonies at the White House. He is the first individual in history to receive one of the oldest/highest awards of the National Academy of Medicine (the Walsh McDermott Medal) and the oldest/highest award of the National Academy of Engineering (the Simon Ramo Founder’s Award).
Professor Sir Cato T. was bestowed with Knighthood under the auspices of King Charles III of England by the Governor General of St. Lucia for his exceptional and outstanding service of national importance to Saint Lucia. He is the University Professor and Albert and Wilda Van Dusen Distinguished Endowed Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery, Professor of Chemical Engineering, Professor of Materials Science and Engineering, and Professor of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Connecticut. Dr. 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.
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:
