Regenerative Engineering of Musculoskeletal Tissues and Interfaces

Dr. Nukavarapu is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Orthopedic Surgery at the University of Connecticut Health Center (UConn Health), Connecticut. He has joint appointments with the departments of Biomedical Engineering (BME) and Materials Science & Engineering (MSE) at The University of Connecticut. His research interests include Biomaterials, Stem Cells, and Tissue Engineering. Dr. Nukavarapu's laboratory has been focused on developing advanced matrix systems for Bone and Osteochondral Tissue Engineering. His group is at the forefront of developing Completely Intra-operative Tissue Engineering Strategies (CITES) for on-site therapy or bedside tissue engineering. Dr. Nukavarapu has published about 50 articles in peer-reviewed journals and has 10 book chapters and holds 2 patents. He is serving as editorial board member for many field journals. Dr. Nukavarapu teaches Advanced Biomaterials (BME 4701) course at the University of Connecticut. Joseph W. Freeman is Associate Professor in the Department of Biomedical Engineering at Rutgers University his research interestsinclude new biomaterial-based strategies for the regeneration of musculoskeletal tissues. Dr. Laurencin is the Van Dusen Distinguished Endowed Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery, and Professor of Chemical, Materials, and Biomedical Engineering at the University of Connecticut. In addition, Dr. Laurencin is a University Professor at the University of Connecticut (the 7th in the institution's history). He is the Director of both the Institute for Regenerative Engineering, and the Raymond and Beverly Sackler Center at the University of Connecticut Health Center. Dr. Laurencin serves as the Chief Executive Officer of the Connecticut Institute for Clinical and Translational Science at UCONN.

Dr. Laurencin earned his undergraduate degree in Chemical Engineering from Princeton, his medical degree, Magna Cum Laude, from Harvard Medical School, and his Ph.D. in Biochemical Engineering/Biotechnology from M.I.T.

A board certified orthopaedic surgeon and shoulder/ knee specialist, he won the Nicolas Andry Award from the Association of Bone and Joint Surgeons. His discoveries in research have been highlighted by Scientific American Magazine, and more recently by National Geographic Magazine in its "100 Scientific Discoveries that Changed the World? edition.

Dr. Laurencin is an outstanding mentor and he has received the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring in ceremonies at the White House. Dr. Laurencin has received the Elizabeth Hurlock Beckman Award for mentoring, and the American Association for the Advancement of Science's Mentor Award.

Dr. Laurencin previously served as the UConn Health Center's Vice President for Health Affairs and Dean of the School of Medicine. Prior to that, Dr. Laurencin was the Lillian T. Pratt Distinguished Professor and Chair of the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of Virginia, and Orthopaedic Surgeon-in-Chief for the University of Virginia Health System.

Dr. Laurencin is an elected member of the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences, and an elected member of the National Academy of Engineering. He is also an elected member of the National Academy of Inventors.