Natural and Synthetic Biomedical Polymers

Dr. Kumbar is an Assistant Professor in the Departments of Orthopaedic Surgery, Materials Science & Engineering and Biomedical Engineering at the University of Connecticut. His research is focused on synthesis and characterization of novel biomaterials for tissue engineering and drug delivery applications. These polymeric materials namely polysaccharides, polyphosphazenes, polyanhydrides, polyesters as well as blends of two or more of the polymeric materials and composites combining the polymeric materials with ceramics in the form of 3-dimentional porous structures will serve as scaffolds for variety of tissue engineering applications. Dr. Kumbar is an active member of Society for Biomaterials (SFB), Controlled Release Society (CRS), Materials Research Society (MRS) and Orthopaedic Research Society (ORS). Dr. Kumbar is serving as a reviewer for more than 25 journals in the field of biomaterials, drug delivery and tissue engineering. He has recently edited a book “Natural and Synthetic Biomedical Polymers” Elsevier Science & Technology, 2014- ISBN: 978-0-12-396983-5. He is also on the Editorial Board of more than 7 journals in the area of his expertise including Journal of Biomedical Materials Research-Part B, Journal of Applied Polymer Science, and Journal of Biomedical Nanotechnology.

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.