National Academy of Engineering 2019 Simon Ramo Founders Award Remarks
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Annals of Biomedical Engineering (Ó 2020) https://doi.org/10.1007/s10439-020-02579-w
Editorial
National Academy of Engineering 2019 Simon Ramo Founders Award Remarks Cato T. Laurencin, M.D., Ph.D.: Winner of the 2019 Simon Ramo Founders Award of the National Academy of Engineering CATO T. LAURENCIN Farmington, USA
Thank you, National Academy of Engineering, for awarding me this singular honor. Regenerative Engineering is the Convergence of technologies that a generation ago might not be thought to be connected.1–11 I am humbled that the work I’ve accomplished in creating a fundamentally new field has been acknowledged by the National Academy of Engineering. The work continues to provide new knowledge, new science and ultimately provides new solutions for those I consider the ultimate heroes, our patients. I am the first individual to win both the oldest/ highest award of the National Academy of Engineering (the Simon Ramo Founder’s Award) and the oldest/highest award of the National Academy of Medicine (the Walsh McDermott Medal). I am receiving both this month. It underscores the achievements of the Laurencin Labs over the past 30 years. I am indeed blessed. I am the first engineer-physician to receive the Founder’s Award. I believe that engineering, which is the bridge between Science and Society, has as its future revolutionizing medical care in the coming decades. It is my belief that the improvement in outcomes of patients in this century will largely hinge on the Convergence of engineering principles with the life sciences. I am also the first Black person to receive the Founders Award of the National Academy of Engineering. I want to make sure that the importance of the struggle Black people have had collectively for me to be here today is not lost. In the words of the Negro National Anthem,
Address correspondence to Cato T. Laurencin, Farmington, USA. Electronic mail: [email protected]
‘‘Stoney the road we trod, Bitter the chast’ning rod, Felt in the days when hope, unborn, had died; Yet with a steady beat, Have not our weary feet Come to the place for which our fathers sighed? We have come over a way that with tears has been watered. We have come treading our path through the blood of the slaughtered, Out from the gloomy past, Till now we stand at last Where the white gleam of our bright star is cast.’’ And in the words of Maya Angelou, ‘‘I am a Black Ocean, leaping and wide. Welling and swelling I bear in the tide.’’ ‘‘Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave. I am the dream and the hope of the slave. I rise I rise I rise.’’ I am appreciative. And, as my friend Richard Farr believes, being appreciative is a cornerstone of one’s being. I would like to first provide my appreciation to Professor Robert Langer, my mentor, who taught me how to be a scientist and is responsible for so much good in my career and in my life. Bob, thank you. I want to thank those who have helped provide guidance and inspiration to me scientifically including Professor Nicholas Peppas who is here today, Professor Shu Chien and Pro
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