Professor Cato T. Laurencin has been named the winner of the 2025 Blaise Pascal Medal in Materials Science from the European Academy of Sciences (EURASC) for his exceptional contributions to the field. 

EURASC established the Blaise Pascal Medal in 2003 to recognise an outstanding and demonstrated personal contribution to science and technology and the promotion of excellence in research and education. Each year, there is a maximum of nine Blaise Pascal Medals, one per Division. 

In being selected for the Blaise Pascal Medal, Rodrigo Martins, President of the European Academy of Sciences stated, “You have made transformative contributions to biomaterials and regenerative engineering. As the founder of regenerative engineering, you have merged materials science, biology, and medicine into a new paradigm. You are among the rare few elected to all US National Academies and your innovations have led to clinical advancements that improved human health.” 

Prof Laurencin is the founder and pioneer of the field of Regenerative Engineering. He is an expert in biomaterials science, stem cell technology, biophysics, and nanotechnology and is a highly cited researcher in Materials Science and Engineering (Scopus). His work on engineered materials for soft tissue regeneration was highlighted by National Geographic Magazine in its 100 Scientific Discoveries that Changed the World edition. He was the recipient of the Acta Biomaterialia Gold Medal for demonstrated leadership in the field of Biomaterials. He was the Fred Kavli Distinguished Lecturer (The Materials Research Society) in Materials Science and Plenary Lecturer, and the Lee Hsun Lecturer in Materials Science, Shenyang University in China. 

Prof 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. Internationally, he is an elected fellow of the Indian National Academy of Sciences, the Indian National Academy of Engineering, the African Academy of Sciences, The World Academy of Sciences, the Royal Academy of Engineering, and is an Academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering. 

Original article written by Jon D'Arpino published on UConn Today.