Cato Laurencin ’80 will become dean of the medical school at the University of Connecticut and vice president for health affairs at the university’s Health Center, effective Aug. 11. He also will hold the Van Dusen Distinguished Endowed Chair and will be a Professor in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery.

Laurencin was previously chair of orthopaedic surgery and professor of biomedical engineering and chemical engineering at the University of Virginia. Scientific American recognized him as one of the top 50 innovators of 2007 for his research in musculoskeletal regeneration and biomaterials.