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The University of Minnesota Board of Regents honored Alumnus Arthur
J. Coury, Ph.D., as a 2013 recipient of the Outstanding Achievement
Award (OAA). The OAA honors graduates who have attained unusual
and noted distinction in their chosen fields, professions, and public
service, and who have demonstrated outstanding achievement and
leadership.
Coury is being honored for his outstanding
contributions to biomedical device and biomaterials research and
development. His prolific scientific work, extensive service to the
academic and industrial scientific communities, and selfless mentoring
has had a positive impact on innumerable lives.
Coury earned a doctorate in inorganic chemistry and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Minnesota. He obtained a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from the University of Delaware.
Coury's career focus has been on polymeric biomaterials for medical products such as implantable electronic devices, hydrogel-based devices, and drug delivery systems. He has held a number of senior-level biomedical positions, including senior research chemist at General Mills, Inc.; director, polymer technology and research fellow at Medtronic, Inc.; vice president, research and chief scientific officer at Focal, Incorporated; and vice president, biomaterials research at Genzyme Corporation. He holds more than 50 patents and has widely published in the field of polymeric biomaterials for medical products. Currently, he is a biomedical consultant.
His teaching positions have included adjunct appointments at the University of Minnesota and the Harvard-MIT Graduate Program in Health Sciences and Technology. His professional service has included: chair, Minnesota Section, American Chemical Society (1989-1990); president, Society for Biomaterials, USA (1999-2000); president, American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering (2003-2004); and membership on several university, society, and corporate advisory boards.
Coury has received many honors for his contributions to science and biomaterials research. He recent recognitions include being inducted into the National Academy of Engineering in 2009, and being inducted as a Fellow of the American Chemical Society in 2011. He received the 2012 Pierre Galletti Award of the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering, the 2012 Founders Award of the Society for Biomaterials, and the 2007 Innovation and Technology Development Award of the Society for Biomaterials. In 2007, he was named one the “100 Notable People in the Medical Device Industry” by the Medical Device & Diagnostic Industry magazine.
Arthur J. Coury, Ph.D., (center) received his Outstanding Achievement Award from the University Board of Regents, Friday, May 10. He is pictured with Professor Theresa Reineke, who nominated him for the award, and Professor William Tolman, chair of the Department of Chemistry.
