The Allcock Alumni Group Lectureship in Polymers and Materials Chemistry was established by former students of Harry Allcock, Atherton Professor of Chemistry. Many of the recent Allcock Lecturers have been recipients of the Nobel Prize.

The annual event’s purpose is to bring the world’s leading scientists to Penn State to share cutting-edge research and insights on polymers and material chemistry. In his talk, “Regenerative Engineering: Breakthroughs in Science Fueled by Chemistry,” University Professor Sir Cato T. Laurencin of UConn spoke about breakthrough technologies, including polymeric nanofiber systems that create the prospect for biomimetics to recapitulate connective tissue ultrastructure. This allows for the design of biomechanically functional matrices, and next generation matrices that create a niche for stem cell activity. Work in the creation of synthetic artificial stem cells presents prospects for joint restoration.

Laurencin is the founder and pioneer in the field of regenerative engineering. He is recognized as the leading international figure in polymer science and engineering as applied to musculoskeletal biology. He is an expert in biomaterials science, stem cell technology and nanotechnology and has worked in the Convergence of these areas of research. In receiving the Spingarn Medal from the NAACP, he was named as the world’s foremost engineer-physician-scientist. He is the world leader on chemistry and materials science applied toward musculoskeletal repair and regeneration.

Laurencin is the recipient of the Priestley Medal, the American Chemical Society’s highest honor, and the recipient of the Von Hippel Award, the Materials Research Society’s highest honor. He is the recipient of the Founders Award from the American Institute of Chemical Engineers, and the Percy Julian Medal from the National Association of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers, their highest awards. The American Association for the Advancement of Science awarded  Laurencin the Philip Hauge Abelson Prize given ‘for signal contributions to the advancement of science in the United States.’ In recognition of his breakthrough achievements in Regenerative Engineering worldwide, the American Institute of Chemical Engineers created the Cato T. Laurencin Regenerative Engineering Founder’s Award.

Laurencin was named the 2023 Inventor of the Year by the Intellectual Property Owners Education Foundation. He received the 2024 Kathryn S. Hach Award for Entrepreneurial Success from the American Chemical Society. He is the recipient of the National Medal of Technology and Innovation, America’s highest honor for technical achievement, awarded by President Barack Obama in ceremonies at the White House.

In 2025 he received the Dickson Prize in Medicine. Many of the Dickson Prize awardees have gone on to receive the Nobel Prize. Laurencin was bestowed Knight Commander of the Order of St. Lucia, under the auspices of King Charles III of England through the Governor General of St. Lucia.