The Innovations Lecture highlights scientists who demonstrate out-of-the-box thinking. Laurencin’s lecture, “Regenerative Engineering: Breakthroughs in Science” was part of the Kavli Foundation Lecture Series. The series recognizes groundbreaking discoveries by scientists tackling global challenges.

In his talk, Laurencin focused on the convergence of materials science and chemistry, biology, medicine, physics, and engineering in creating breakthrough technologies for musculoskeletal tissue regeneration, including how new chemistry and new materials present systems such as synthetic artificial stem cells for joint restoration and regeneration.

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. Renowned for his work in areas including biomaterials science and materials chemistry, his broad background and insight have allowed him to move research from fundamental science to applied research, to research translation and clinical treatment. He received the Founder’s Award (highest award) from the Society for Biomaterials, the Von Hippel Award (highest award) from the Materials Research Society, and the James Bailey Award (highest award) from the Society for Biological Engineering. 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.” The American Institute of Chemical Engineers created the Cato T. Laurencin Regenerative Engineering Founder’s Award in recognition of his trailblazing work.

Laurencin is the editor-in-chief of Regenerative Engineering and Translational Medicine, published by Springer Nature, and is the founder of the Regenerative Engineering Society. He is an elected member of the National Academy of Sciences, the National Academy of Engineering, and the National Academy of Medicine.

Laurencin is the University Professor and Albert and Wilda Van Dusen Distinguished Endowed Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at UConn School of Medicine, professor of Chemical Engineering, professor of Materials Science and Engineering, and professor of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Connecticut. He is the CEO of The Cato T. Laurencin Institute for Regenerative Engineering, a cross-university institute created and named in his honor at the University of Connecticut.

In 2025 he received the Terasaki Prize, and 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.