Que named as Regents Professor

Institute of Technology chemistry professor Lawrence Que Jr. has been named as Regents Professors by the University of Minnesota Board of Regents. The designation is the highest level of recognition given to faculty by the University.

Que, a 3M/Alumni Distinguished Professor of Chemistry, is considered to be an internationally acclaimed scholar who has made a tremendous impact in the field of bioinorganic chemistry. Que has played a pioneering role in understanding the function that nonheme iron centers play in dioxygen activation in biology.

Under Que's guidance, 33 students received their doctoral degrees and 10 students received their master's degree. In addition, he has served as a research advisor to 66 postdoctoral students. Twenty-two former members of this group hold positions at industrial institutions as research scientists and 50 have tenure-track or tenured faculty positions in colleges or universities.

Que is credited with establishing the University of Minnesota as a world-renowned center of excellence in bioinorganic chemistry and also led the effort to establish the U's Center for Metals in Biocatalysis, which comprises faculty and students from multiple departments who share interests in exploring the roles of metals in biology.

Que is the author of more than 400 publications, presented 290 invited lectures, including 22 plenary, keynotes or endowed lectureships.

The Regents Professor position was established in 1965 by the Board of Regents to recognize the national and international prominence of faculty members. It serves as the highest recognition for faculty who have made unique contributions to the quality of the University of Minnesota through exceptional accomplishments in teaching, research and scholarship or creative work, and contributions to the public good.

July 7, 2009