image: Paul and Hisako Terasaki Awardees
Credit: Terasaki Institute
Los Angeles, CA – February 5th, 2025 - The Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Engineering (TIBI) is pleased to announce their selection of Dr. Cato Laurencin, Chief Executive Officer, Connecticut Convergence Institute, Professor, University of Connecticut as the recipient of the 2025 Paul Terasaki Innovation Award and Dr Jun Chen, Associate Professor, Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), as the recipient of the 2025 Hisako Terasaki Young Innovator Award. These awards will be presented at the 3rd Annual Terasaki Innovation Summit, to be held March 5-7, 2025, at the Terasaki Institute Research Headquarters in Woodland Hills, California.
Paul Terasaki Innovation Award
The Paul Terasaki Innovation Award was created in memory of Dr. Paul I. Terasaki, a pioneer in organ transplant research and innovation. It recognizes outstanding achievement in the field of biomedical innovation through research, education, industry, translation, or clinical practice. It also recognizes individuals who have demonstrated exemplary leadership skills and have successfully translated high-impact innovations into real-world solutions.
Dr. Cato Laurencin
A leading international figure in science, who has made profound contributions in polymer chemistry, polymer science, orthopaedic surgery, stem cell science, clinical medicine, and regenerative engineering. Dr. Laurencin’s work in regenerative engineering has brought breakthrough achievements in musculoskeletal research, while at the same time, he has created new technologies and products benefiting people. Dr. Laurencin invented the Laurencin-Cooper ligament (LC ligament) for anterior cruciate ligament regeneration and engineered grafts for shoulder rotator cuff tendon repair and regeneration. His companies have brought soft tissue implants to the market. At the same time, his work in bone repair and regeneration has inspired products for bone regenerative and interference screw technologies while furthering our basic science knowledge. Dr. Laurencin’s work has been the basis of several start-up companies, Healing Orthopaedic Technologies, Soft Tissue Regeneration, Healing Orthopaedic Technologies Bone, Natural Polymer Devices, and Regenerative Engineering, Inc.
A highly sought-after speaker, Dr. Laurencin has delivered over 300 invited lectures, sharing his groundbreaking research and insights with audiences worldwide. His prolific contributions to science include nearly 500 scientific articles, approximately 70 global patents, and editorial roles in 17 books. He has also mentored 25 PhD students, fostering the next generation of scientific leaders. Recognized for his extraordinary impact, Dr. Laurencin is a highly cited researcher with an H-index of 123 and over 66,000 citations to his work.
Humbled by the honor, Dr. Cato Laurencin, Chief Executive Officer of the Connecticut Convergence Institute and Professor at the University of Connecticut, said, "The field of Regenerative Engineering, which I pioneered, has already led to the development of groundbreaking technologies that have positively impacted patients. Our continued work in complex tissue regeneration promises even more transformative breakthroughs in the future."
Dr. Laurencin's remarkable achievements reflect not only his exceptional scientific ingenuity but also his dedication to improving human health and advancing medical innovation. Dr. Laurencin holds the unique distinction of being the first surgeon in history elected to the National Academy of Sciences, the National Academy of Engineering, the National Academy of Medicine, and the National Academy of Inventors in the U.S. His contributions have earned him numerous international and national accolades, including the National Medal of Technology and Innovation—the highest honor for technological achievement in the United States—awarded by President Barack Obama at the White House.
“Dr. Laurencin’s extraordinary work in regenerative engineering and his dedication to advancing human health exemplify the spirit of the Paul Terasaki Distinguished Scientist Innovation Award. We are honored to recognize a visionary leader whose achievements have transformed science and improved countless lives,” said Professor Ali Khademhosseini, Director and CEO of the Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation."
Hisako Terasaki Young Innovator Award
The Hisako Terasaki Young Innovator Award was created in memory of Mrs. Hisako Terasaki, philanthropist, accomplished artist, and beloved wife of Dr. Paul I. Terasaki, a pioneer in organ transplant research and innovation. The award recognizes early-career scientists who have made significant contributions to biomedical science by creating novel or markedly improved technologies that show great promise for high-impact translation.
Dr. Jun Chen
An exceptional researcher in bioengineering and materials science at UCLA, has rapidly emerged as a leader in developing technologies that bridge fundamental science and real-world applications. His work focuses on soft bioelectronics, triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs), and magnetoelastic materials—fields poised to revolutionize health and biomedical technology.
Dr. Chen’s discovery of the giant magnetoelastic effect in soft polymer systems overcame the limitations of rigid metallic systems, enabling innovations such as wearable cardiovascular monitors and respiratory sensors (Nature Materials 2021, ACS Nano 2022). He also pioneered TENG technology to convert biomechanical motion into energy, creating applications for gastrointestinal monitoring, neural stimulation, and assistive devices.
Notably, Dr. Chen developed a machine-learning-enabled wearable system that translates American Sign Language gestures into audible speech, a breakthrough featured in Nature Electronics (2020), CNN, and NPR, and recognized among the Altmetric Top 100 publications of 2020.
Dr. Jun Chen, Associate Professor in the Department of Bioengineering at the University of California, Los Angeles, shared "I am truly honored to receive this recognition. It motivates me to continue advancing biomedical research and developing technologies that can impact human health while inspiring and mentoring the next generation of scientists to push the boundaries of innovation."
Professor Ali Khademhosseini, Director and CEO of the Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation, expressed “Dr. Jun Chen embodies the dedication and passion of the next generation of scientists. His remarkable achievements and forward-thinking vision highlight the immense potential of young innovators to transform biomedical science and improve lives. It is a privilege to honor him with the Hisako Terasaki Young Innovator Award.”
For more information, please contact:
Stewart Han
Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation
Email: shan@terasaki.org
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About the Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation:
The Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation (terasaki.org) is a non-profit research organization that invents and fosters practical solutions that restore or enhance the health of individuals. The Institute is made possible through an endowment from the late Dr. Paul I. Terasaki, a pioneer in the field of organ transplant technology.