Peter Agre

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Peter Agre (born January 30, 1949) is an American medical doctor and molecular biologist who was awarded the 2003 Nobel Prize in Chemistry (which he shared with Roderick MacKinnon) for his discovery of aquaporins.^[1]

Born in Northfield, Minnesota, he received his B.A. from Augsburg College in Minneapolis, Minnesota and his M.D. in 1974 from the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore, Maryland. He is currently Vice Chancellor of Duke University's School of Medicine in Durham, NC. He was elected to membership in the National Academy of Sciences in 2000 and to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 2003. He is also a founding member of Scientists and Engineers for America (SEA), and serves on its Board of Advisors.

Agre is an Eagle Scout and recipient of the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award (DESA).^[2]^[3] Both of his brothers are also physicians and Eagle Scouts. His son is an Eagle Scout too.^[4]

He also enjoys cross-country skiing and has participated in the Vasaloppet ski race.

Dr. Agre is known among science students for his humanity and humility.^[5] Perhaps this originates from the grade of "D" Agre received in his first chemistry class, despite having a father who was a chemistry professor. Or maybe from the fact his prize-winning research was originally an investigation of the molecular identity of the human blood Rh_factor, and his initial discovery of aquaporins was pure serendipity.

Most recently, he appeared on The Colbert Report, discussing SEA, sound science in politics, and the decline of American knowledge of science, among other topics.

Dr. Agre has recently expressed interest in running for United States Senate from his home state of Minnesota.

[edit] See also

Nobel Prize

[edit] References

^ Agre, Peter. Autobiography. Nobelprize.org. Retrieved on June 1, 2007.
^ Lupton, Neil (2005). Scouts-L Youth Group List. Listerv. Retrieved on June 1, 2007.
^ Daniel, Douglass K. (2004). Scouter Peter Agre Places a Nobel Prize Alongside His Eagle Award (with photo of both). Scouting Magazine. Boy Scouts of America. Retrieved on June 1, 2007.
^ (Winter 2006) "Distinguished Eagle Scout Award Profile - Dr. Peter Agre". Eagletter Vol:32 (No:3): pp: 8-9.
^ McGregor, Steve (2005). Nobel Laureate to Pitch Science as Fun. U. of Texas - Dallas. Retrieved on June 1, 2007.