We are extremely proud of our faculty who have been recognized as National Academy of Inventors (NAI) Fellows over the years for their groundbreaking contributions to science, technology, and innovation. Their research spans clean energy, sustainable materials, regenerative medicine, and nanotechnology, driving real-world impact through discovery and entrepreneurship.
President Radenka Maric (NAI Fellow, 2019) – A leader in sustainable energy, her pioneering work in materials and catalysts has advanced fuel cell technologies, energy storage, and electrochemical sensors, enabling high-performance clean energy solutions.
Prof. Cato Laurencin (NAI Fellow, 2013) – The first UConn faculty member to become an NAI Fellow and a trailblazer in regenerative engineering. His breakthroughs in nanotechnology, polymer chemistry, and tissue regeneration have earned him national honors, including the National Medal of Technology and Innovation.
Prof. Luyi Sun (NAI Fellow, 2021) – An expert in polymeric materials, ceramics, and composites, his research is driving innovation in packaging, energy, and catalysis, shaping next-generation materials for diverse applications.
These distinguished faculty members exemplify UConn’s commitment to cutting-edge research and transformative innovation. Congratulations to all!
Read more about all UConn College of Engineering NAI Fellows on UConn Today.
We are thrilled to share that our graduate student, Hasan Nikkhah, has received the Best Poster Award at the 2024 Foundations of Computer-Aided Process Design (FOCAPD) Conference for his work on seawater desalination. In collaboration with our undergraduate student Dev Barochia and under the guidance of Professor Burcu Beykal, Hasan presented their research, “Design and Optimization of a Multipurpose Zero Liquid Discharge Desalination Plant,” which introduces a novel approach to multicomponent seawater desalination with zero liquid discharge.
We are excited to welcome Dr. Génesis Quiles-Galarza as an Assistant Professor in Residence in our department starting Fall 2025. Prof. Quiles-Galarza joins us with a strong background in machine learning for materials discovery, first-principles methods, and engineering education, bringing valuable experience in research and undergraduate teaching.
Warmest congratulations to Professor Cato Laurencin, recipient of the 2025 Paul Terasaki Innovation Award! The Paul Terasaki Innovation Award honors individuals who have made outstanding and sustained contributions to biomedical innovation, recognizing those who not only advance research but also translate their discoveries into real-world medical solutions. Dr. Laurencin embodies this mission through his pioneering work in regenerative engineering, polymer science, and musculoskeletal repair and regeneration. His groundbreaking contributions include the invention of the Laurencin-Cooper ligament for regenerating the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and the development of engineered grafts for rotator cuff tendon repair and regeneration. His research has bridged fundamental science with transformative medical applications, impacting countless lives.
We proudly celebrate our faculty and students who have been recognized in the inaugural 
We are proud to share that Professor Jeffrey McCutcheon has been awarded the AIChE FRI/Neil Yeoman Innovation Award by the AIChE Separations Division! This prestigious award recognizes Dr. McCutcheon’s pioneering research in additive manufacturing of thin film composite membranes, a significant advancement in membrane technology that has broad implications for separations science and industry. Dr. McCutcheon presented his groundbreaking work at the AIChE Annual Meeting Separations Division Plenary session last fall.
University
Congratulations to Professor Cato T. Laurencin on receiving
Congratulations to our graduate student Erik Ammermann for winning the Food, Pharmaceutical, and Bioengineering Division Student Oral Presentation Award at the 2024 AIChE Annual Meeting!