Dr. Miller's Letter Regarding Peter Agre's Departure

January 19, 2005

Dear Colleagues:

I write today to share my thoughts on Peter Agre's impending departure from Hopkins. For 28 years he has brought cheer to Hopkins' hallways, as a medical student, fellow and faculty member. We are all sorry to see him go.

Peter has always followed his heart, first into medicine and then into the lab. Hopkins was lucky enough to be the right place for both of those pursuits. Now, however, he is setting out on a new course and for that he feels he needs a new place to call home. After a six month sabbatical, Peter will become Vice Chancellor for Science and Technology at Duke University Medical Center, effective July 1, 2005.

At Hopkins, Peter has seen patients, taught and mentored students and trainees, and successfully collaborated with many scientific and clinical colleagues. When he was awarded the 2003 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for discoveries made here, it was with utmost sincerity when -- to a person -- his colleagues said, "It couldn't have happened to a better person." The Nobel Prize brought Peter unexpected opportunities to champion issues important to him, particularly in support of human rights, science teachers and scientific freedom. It is our hope that even as Hopkins loses one of our most esteemed and well-liked colleagues, the world gains an effective, responsible voice on these and other important issues.

I know you will join me in wishing Peter the best.

Sincerely,


Edward D. Miller, M.D.
Dean of the Medical Faculty
CEO, Johns Hopkins Medicine