OKLAHOMA CITY, Nov. 20, 2006 – Many Americans dream of retiring as early as possible. But mention the word “retirement” to Petar Alaupovic, Ph.D., and he simply smiles.

It’s a smile that says, “Rocking chairs are not an option.” Because for this 83-year-old scientist at the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, too much remains to be done even to think of calling it quits.

Alaupovic—known affectionately at OMRF as “Dr. A”—has spent more than half his life studying lipoproteins, compounds that carry fats and cholesterol in the blood. Indeed, he’s one of the pioneers in this mind-bogglingly complex area of research, and his work in the field continues full-throttle today.

“My health is really good, and I can still get up early in the morning, work until 7:00 in the evening and enjoy it,” he said.

Alaupovic has called OMRF and Oklahoma home since 1960. His life here—as a scientist, as an American—represents a dream he only could have imagined as a boy growing up in Yugoslavia (now Croatia).

As a high school student in Zagreb, Alaupovic studied philosophy, history, literature and the arts. He learned to love opera, spoke seven languages and was named Yugoslavia’s rowing champion. Life was good, and his future seemed limitless. Then the German army came marching across the border.

Dr. Alaupovic - second from left

The subsequent war made daily life a struggle, but Alaupovic managed to go to school and earn a degree in chemical engineering. He paid his tuition by playing the saxophone in a jazz band each evening at the local radio station. After college, he took a job as a chemist but realized that if he wanted to do meaningful work, his best hope was to go to the United States. In 1957, Alaupovic was offered, in his words, “an unbelievable opportunity”—a research fellowship at the University of Illinois, Urbana. He accepted the position, and for three years he worked long hours in the lab and sharpened his English skills. Then he learned about a job opening at a young research institute in Oklahoma—OMRF. Alaupovic, his wife and young daughter packed their old Pontiac and set out for a fresh start in Oklahoma City. OMRF was still a fledgling foundation, but Alaupovic sensed he could help make a difference. And he did.

After just four years, he created a naming and classification system for apolipoproteins that has become the international standard. These proteins play important roles in causing coronary heart disease, diabetes and stroke. That same year he and his family became U.S. citizens.

“After all these years, he goes to his lab each day, writes papers and is still thinking,” says Galen Robbins, M.D.. an Oklahoma City cardiologist who serves on OMRF’s board of directors and has known Alaupovic for many years. “He’s the kindest, most soft-spoken worker and truly believes each day means one more contribution to science.”

Alaupovic has lectured throughout the world and received numerous honorary degrees and awards during his illustrious career. Today, he continues to serve as head of OMRF’s lipid and lipoprotein laboratory.

Although nearly all of his contemporaries have hung up their lab coats, retirement just doesn’t seem to be in the cards for Alaupovic. “This path is not for everyone,” he admitted. “But I can’t think of anything more exciting.”

About OMRF:
Celebrating its 60th birthday in 2006, OMRF (www.omrf.org) is a nonprofit biomedical research institute dedicated to understanding and curing human disease. Its scientists focus on such critical research areas as Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, lupus and cardiovascular disease. It is home to Oklahoma’s only member of the National Academy of Sciences.