Robert Lue | |
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Born | May 23, 1964 |
Died | November 11, 2020 | (aged 56)
Alma mater | College of the Holy Cross (BA) Harvard University (PhD) |
Scientific career | |
Fields | Cellular biology |
Institutions | Harvard University |
Thesis | Molecular and Biochemical Characterization of Hdlg (1995) |
Robert Arnold Lue (May 23, 1964 – November 11, 2020) was a Jamaican-born American cellular biologist.[1] He was a professor of molecular and cellular biology at Harvard University,[2] where he was the Richard L. Menschel Faculty Director of the Derek Bok Center for Teaching. Lue had been co-editor of the Harvard Data Science Review,[3] and was previously the university's UNESCO Chair on Life Sciences and Social Innovation.[4] Lue led LabXChange, an online learning platform, in partnership with the Amgen Foundation.[5]
Robert Lue grew up in Jamaica, where he developed an interest in nature.[6] He was of Chinese and Romanian descent.[7] Lue graduated from St. George's College in 1980, then attended the College of the Holy Cross. In 1986, he graduated from Holy Cross with a degree in biology and philosophy in 1986.[8]
After taking a year off to paint at Brandeis University, he went to Harvard and obtained a Ph.D. in cellular biology in 1995. His dissertation was titled "Molecular and biochemical characterization of Hdlg: the human homologue of the Drosophila discs-large tumor suppressor protein."[9] In 1996, Lue completed his postdoctoral studies at Harvard. He was mentored by Daniel Branton, a professor of biology.[10]
Beginning in 2008, Lue was the Faculty Director of the Harvard-Allston Education Portal. He was recognized for his contributions to molecular animation.[11] Lue's research was supported by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute.[2] He served as dean of Harvard Summer School and co-authored two textbooks on biology, researching science visualization.[12]
On March 1, 2013, Lue became the inaugural Richard L. Menschel Faculty Director of the Derek Bok Center for Teaching and Learning at Harvard University.[13] He was formerly professor of the practice of molecular and cellular biology, and the director of life sciences education at Harvard University.[14]
Lue died on November 11, 2020, of cancer at the age of 56.[12] He was survived by his husband, Alain Viel.[12]