Warmest congratulations to Prof. George Bollas who has been selected for the Fulbright U.S. Scholar Award for 2024-2025. The Fulbright Program is devoted to increasing mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries. The Fulbright Association is the world’s largest and most diverse international educational exchange program. The presidentially appointed 12-member Board of the Fulbright U.S. Scholar program is responsible for supervising the Fulbright Program worldwide and approving the selection of all Fulbright recipients.
In this Program, Prof. Bollas will investigate the end-to-end feasibility of ammonia as a fuel for the difficult-to-decarbonize transportation sectors, from the production energy and carbon footprint to its conversion and utilization. A key focus of his work will be to promote a novel method, invented recently with his Ph.D. student Laron Burrows, that leverages chemical loops of metal nitrides, hydrides, and imides for ammonia synthesis at atmospheric pressure in separate steps. A second focus area of Prof. Bollas’ work will be on ammonia cracking and power generation in fuel cells.
This scholarship will support a research partnership with the Chemical Process and Energy Resources Institute (CPERI) of the Centre for Research and Technology Hellas (CERTH).
The groundbreaking research led by Professor Xiao-Dong Zhou has the potential to transform aviation, making it more sustainable and contributing to net-zero emissions. Funded by the prestigious ARPA-E program, his interdisciplinary research team is looking to develop a carbon-neutral energy storage and power generation system as an alternative for aircraft propulsion using High-Performance Metal-Supported Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFCs).
Professor Cato Laurencin recently delivered the keynote speech at the 2023 How When & Why of DEI Conference organized by the 
In a groundbreaking achievement, Dr. Cato Laurencin has been named the Inventor of the Year by the Intellectual Property Owners Education Foundation, an accolade that recognizes the world’s most outstanding recent inventors and their profound impact on the nation’s economy and quality of life. Dr. Laurencin’s pioneering work in the field of Regenerative Engineering has resulted in revolutionary technology that promotes bone and tissue regeneration, ultimately enhancing the quality of life for patients. This prestigious recognition underscores the transformative impact of his contributions in the realm of healthcare and regenerative medicine. His innovative work continues to be a beacon of hope for patients worldwide, marking a significant milestone in the field and solidifying his position as a trailblazer in healthcare innovation.
In the latest 2023 UConn Research Annual Report, the exceptional contributions of four distinguished faculty members take center stage. President Radenka Maric, along with esteemed professors Kelly Burke, Xiao-Dong Zhou, and Cato Laurencin, have been featured for their groundbreaking work spanning the realms of sustainability, energy, health, medicine, and community development. The report underscores the significant impact of their research, showcasing their commitment to advancing knowledge and addressing critical issues that resonate across diverse fields.
