The Analytical Scientist / Issues / 2026 / April / Honoring Chromatography Educator Peter W. Carr (1944–2025)
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Honoring Chromatography Educator Peter W. Carr (1944–2025)

We remember 2D-LC pioneer, devoted mentor, and “classic New Yorker,” Peter Carr 

By James Strachan 04/02/2026 3 min read

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5 Key Takeaways

  • 1

    Peter W. Carr, a pioneering separation scientist, passed away on December 20, 2025, at the age of 81.

  • 2

    Carr spent nearly five decades at the University of Minnesota, where he was known as an innovative chemist and a dedicated mentor.

  • 3

    He significantly advanced liquid chromatography, particularly through his work with zirconia as a stable support for HPLC stationary phases.

  • 4

    Carr received numerous accolades, including the American Chemical Society Award in Analytical Chemistry and the LCGC Lifetime Achievement Award.

  • 5

    He mentored over 100 graduate students, many of whom credited him as a critical factor in their personal and professional success.

About the Author(s)

James Strachan

Over the course of my Biomedical Sciences degree it dawned on me that my goal of becoming a scientist didn’t quite mesh with my lack of affinity for lab work. Thinking on my decision to pursue biology rather than English at age 15 – despite an aptitude for the latter – I realized that science writing was a way to combine what I loved with what I was good at. From there I set out to gather as much freelancing experience as I could, spending 2 years developing scientific content for International Innovation, before completing an MSc in Science Communication. After gaining invaluable experience in supporting the communications efforts of CERN and IN-PART, I joined Texere – where I am focused on producing consistently engaging, cutting-edge and innovative content for our specialist audiences around the world.

More Articles by James Strachan

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