Raton Native
Wins 2015 Nobel
Prize in Chemistry
What is the formula to succeed and be recognized at
the top of your field?
by Jean Di Lisio
in Chemistry with Tomas Lindahl
and Aziz Sancar “for mechanistic
studies of DNA repair.”
INTRODUCTION:
Graduating from RHS’s Class of
1964, Paul Modrich earned fellow
student’s admiration as he was voted
“Most Likely to Succeed.” Attracting
friends like Ron Chavez and John
Davidson, he gratefully divulges
how the competitive edge may have
inspired his vital accomplishment.
SAMPLE LAB REPORT:
ABSTRACT:
Paul Modrich, PhD, Duke
University-Biochemistry/Genetics
and Howard Hughes Medical
Institute affiliate, was honored
during a weeklong visit at Raton,
New Mexico this May of 2016.
A 1964 graduate of Raton High
School, he most likely evoked
MATERIALS: Add seven quarts
of encouraging curiosity in nature
to ten gallons of community support
from RHS teachers and local
families. While stirring together, add
three mm of integrity, five cups of
endurance that will inspire life-long
resilience and determination.
PROCEDURE: Start your own
chemistry lab at age 15. Graduate in
1968 from Massachusetts Institute
of Technology and then complete
a doctorate in Chemistry in 1973
from Stanford University. Accept a
faculty position at Duke University
in 1975. For 40 years establish
and maintain an uncompromising
attitude to solve causes of cancer
while exploring the aging process.
methyl groups attached to the
DNA molecule and act as signals
for repairing incorrect replications
of DNA.”
ANALYSIS:
Applauding Dr. Paul Modrich’s
first-rate international award,
local business and town’s people,
along with state and national
congressional leaders, ardently
recognize
their
local
hero.
Reaching out to the RHS Class
of 2016 and attending local
elementary schools, Modrich’s
advice is to always be intrigued
by your passion and devote all
necessary time to it.
CONCLUSION:
While in Raton, Dr. Modrich
encouraged both youth and adults
to attain their greatest potential.
His formula: “personal effort with
a combination of community and
family support systems.”
RESULTS: Dr. Paul Modrich
and his scientific community
researched and demonstrated “how
his dad’s (Coach Larry Modrich)
biology lab report format to
generate his collaborative triumph
of receiving The 2015 Nobel Prize
62
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