Congratulations to Prof. Cato Laurencin on representing the United States at the 3rd U.S.–Africa Frontiers of Science, Engineering, and Medicine Symposium in Kigali, Rwanda.
Sponsored by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, the symposium brought together more than 100 scientists, engineers, and medical professionals from 16 African nations and the U.S. to explore advances in biotechnology, decarbonization, space research, smart cities, and precision agriculture.
Dr. Laurencin’s ongoing collaborations with the African scientific community and his groundbreaking work in regenerative engineering continue to inspire on a global stage.
Read more on UConn Today.
Faculty
Beykal Granted Eversource Energy Professorship Position
Warmest congratulations to Professor Burcu Beykal for being awarded one of only two Eversource Energy Professorships in Environmental and Sustainability Education at University of Connecticut!
This prestigious professorship recognizes outstanding scholarly achievements of early-career faculty who exemplify research excellence in their fields. The two recipients were recently selected and honored by UConn College of Engineering Dean JC Zhao and UConn Tech Park Director, Eversource Energy Endowed Chair in Environmental Engineering, Emmanouil Anagnostou.
As a process systems engineer, Prof. Beykal’s research integrates artificial intelligence, machine learning, and mathematical optimization to develop solutions for global water and critical mineral shortages. Her impressive track record includes 30 peer-reviewed publications—18 of which were published at UConn—11 invited talks, and over $2.5M in federal research funding.
Congratulations, Prof. Beykal! This recognition is well deserved!
Read more on UConn Today.
Laurencin Recognized as Springer Nature Editor of Distinction
Congratulations to Professor Sir Cato T. Laurencin, MD, PhD, KCSL, on receiving the 2025 Springer Nature Editor of Distinction Award!
This prestigious honor recognizes editors who embody scientific excellence, integrity, and leadership in advancing discovery. Prof. Sir Cato’s dedication to rigorous scholarship and impactful science continues to inspire our community.
Read more on UConn Today.
Sun Named Board of Trustees Distinguished Professor
Warmest congratulations to Professor Luyi Sun on being named a 2025 Board of Trustees Distinguished Professor—one of the highest honors UConn confers in recognition of sustained excellence in research, teaching, and service!
Prof. Sun leads an internationally recognized research program in nanostructured hybrid materials for functional, environmental, and energy-related applications. With over 310 peer-reviewed journal articles, his contributions to materials science have been widely impactful. He is a Fellow of the National Academy of Inventors, the Royal Society of Chemistry, and the Society of Plastics Engineers. His work has also been recognized with prestigious honors including the Morand Lambla Award from the Polymer Processing Society and election to the Connecticut Academy of Science and Engineering.
This award is a testament to Prof. Sun’s continued leadership, innovation, and dedication to advancing science and education. Read more on Prof. Sun’s achievements on UConn Today.
Laurencin Honored by the West Indian Foundation
Professor Sir Cato T. Laurencin, MD, PhD, KCSL, was recently honored by the West Indian Foundation at their Board of Directors Reception for his outstanding contributions to the community!
A University Professor at UConn and internationally recognized leader in regenerative engineering, Professor Sir Laurencin continues to inspire through his groundbreaking research, commitment to equity, and unwavering dedication to mentorship and public service.
We are proud to celebrate this well-deserved recognition of a truly impactful scholar and community leader.
Read more on UConn Today.
President Radenka Maric Named a Fellow of The Electrochemical Society
Congratulations to President Radenka Maric on being named a Fellow of The Electrochemical Society (ECS)—one of the highest honors in the field of electrochemistry and solid-state science!
Established in 1989, the ECS Fellowship recognizes individuals for their exceptional scientific contributions and active engagement in advancing the Society’s mission. Each year, no more than 15 distinguished members are selected worldwide for this prestigious title. President Maric is being recognized for her groundbreaking work in electrochemistry at surfaces and interfaces, and her leadership in developing nanomaterials for renewable energy and sensor technologies. She will be formally inducted at the 248th ECS Meeting in Chicago this October.
Read more on President Maric’s Journey on UConn Today.
Zhou Elected to Connecticut Academy of Science and Engineering
Congratulations to Professor Xiao-Dong Zhou on his election to the Connecticut Academy of Science and Engineering (CASE)—a well-deserved honor recognizing his exceptional contributions to sustainable energy research!
As Director of UConn’s Center for Clean Energy Engineering, Dr. Zhou’s pioneering work continues to drive innovation in clean energy technologies, tackling some of today’s most urgent environmental challenges. He joins four other distinguished faculty members from the UConn College of Engineering in this prestigious recognition. We’re proud to see his impactful leadership celebrated at the state level and look forward to the continued influence of his work.
Read more on UConn Today.
Anson Ma Promoted to Full Professor
We are thrilled to share that Dr. Anson Ma has been promoted to Full Professor effective this Fall! Please join us in congratulating Dr. Ma on this well-earned recognition of his impactful contributions to research, teaching, and service. This milestone reflects years of innovation, leadership, and excellence in the field.
Check out the extensive list of all faculty members who have earned promotion and/or tenure on UConn Today.
Dr. Cato T. Laurencin Appointed Knight Commander of the Order of St. Lucia
We’re thrilled to celebrate Dr. Cato T. Laurencin’s appointment as Knight Commander of the Order of St. Lucia — earning him the title Sir Cato Laurencin.
This is one of the highest honors of St. Lucia and it’s a fitting tribute to a remarkable leader whose work in regenerative engineering and medicine has transformed lives around the world. From scientific innovation to mentoring the next generation, Sir Cato continues to inspire and uplift communities across disciplines and continents.
Read more about this extraordinary achievement on UConn Today.
Burkey Recognized as the 2025 Outstanding Higher Education Professional by the UConn Neag School of Education and its Alumni Board
Congratulations to Professor Daniel Burkey on being recognized as the 2025 Outstanding Higher Education Professional by the UConn Neag School of Education and its Alumni Board!
Prof. Burkey currently serves as the Associate Dean for Undergraduate Education at the College of Engineering. With a background in chemical engineering and educational psychology, his work focuses on research methods and innovation in engineering education. He co-developed the College’s new Ph.D. program in Engineering Education and has led the way in introducing game-based teaching approaches at the undergraduate level.
Prof. Burkey holds a B.S.E. in Chemical Engineering from Lehigh University, an M.S. and Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from MIT, and an M.A. in Educational Psychology from UConn. His outstanding contributions have been recognized through numerous honors, including the 2024 Provost’s Award for Excellence in Community Engaged Scholarship, the 2018 University Teaching Fellowship, and multiple honors as AIChE Chemical Engineering Educator of the Year (2011–2014, 2019).
Read more on UConn Today.