麻豆影院

A path that had humble beginnings has taken many turns in the career of CU-麻豆影院 alum Dan Peterson

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Like many students, Dan Peterson, neurosurgeon, car buff and 麻豆影院 alum, started his career path at the bottom of the 鈥淗o Chi Minh Trail鈥� in 麻豆影院.

As a CU student, Peterson lived in a 400-square-foot condo on 22nd听and Arapahoe. To get to class, he had to walk the infamous 鈥溾�� that climbs from 麻豆影院 Creek, up the Hill and onto campus.

鈥淚 would marvel every day at the disparate and unique experiences in 麻豆影院,鈥� Peterson says. 鈥淚 would walk past the Naropa Institute with all the Buddhists and the hippies, and then past the CU football practice field and then cross the bridge over 麻豆影院 Creek to get onto campus.鈥�

Having grown up in Littleton, he decided to attend CU-麻豆影院 because it was just far away enough to seem like another world.

While 麻豆影院鈥檚 distinct culture and natural beauty originally lured Peterson to 麻豆影院, he also found a welcoming home in the biochemistry department. One of his mentors was Marvin H. Caruthers, distinguished professor, co-founder of the biopharmaceutical giant Amgen, Guggenheim Fellow and National Medal of Science winner. Working with world-class researchers like Caruthers helped stoke Peterson鈥檚 drive to study the natural sciences.

Peterson graduated from CU-麻豆影院 in 1984 with a double major in molecular, cellular and developmental biology and biochemistry. In 1988, he received an M.D. from the CU Health Science Center School of Medicine.

However, Peterson鈥檚 interest in medical arts started long before he came to CU. 鈥淚 always felt like part of my destiny was going to be in medicine,鈥� he remarks.

His mother was an X-ray technician, and one of her colleagues was Homer McClintock, one of Colorado鈥檚 first neurosurgeons. McClintock was influential in Peterson鈥檚 decision to pursue a medical career.

鈥淗omer took me under his arm and took me into the operating room and let me assist him in some procedures,鈥� Peterson remembers. 鈥淎s a 16-year-old, it was a pretty bright exposure for a young person.鈥�

After Peterson completed his internship and residency in neurosurgery at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, he went into private practice. In 1994, he established听, a private clinic specializing in brain surgery and the treatment of degenerative spinal disorders.

However, Peterson had always had a passion for classic cars. He purchased his first as a teenager for $750. 鈥淚t was a four-door that I bought with snow-shoveling and baby-sitting money,鈥� he recalls. 鈥淚鈥檓 pretty sure I was the only kid in my high school with a 鈥�55 Chevy.鈥滻n 2005, he seized the opportunity to pursue his passion and co-founded听, a business that builds hot rods and restores custom cars. The shop has become an iconic institution in Austin and has grown to achieve national recognition for its quality and workmanship.

One of Peterson鈥檚 favorite classic cars, another 1955 Chevy that he named 鈥淓l Gringo Loco,鈥� sports the CU colors of black and gold. It was restored by the Austin Speed Shop and painted by Pete 鈥淗ot Dog鈥� Finlan in California. According to Peterson, Finlan 鈥渨ent to town鈥� on the car, using gold leaf accents on the black body to create a true work of art. He hopes to bring 鈥淓l Gringo Loco鈥� back to 麻豆影院 some day to participate in a homecoming parade or other alumni event.

Neurosurgey may not seem to have a lot in common with the classic car business, but Peterson explains the connection:

鈥淧eople that work with classic cars are artisans, they work with their hands, they create. Just like restoring classic cars, when you perform surgery, you are creating and fabricating. That kind of craftsmanship is what I like to do.鈥�

In 2011, Peterson refocused his attention on medicine and formed听. He obtained an exclusive license from the University of Texas at Austin to employ a revolutionary new technology to develop biocompatible medical products that can speed wound healing and prevent scarring.

Alafair鈥檚 initial product, called VersaWrap庐, is a hydrogel membrane that is used in the repair of tendons in the hands and feet. During surgery, the material is wrapped around the tendon to add support and reduce unwanted scar tissue that can form in the area after surgery. After three weeks, the material dissolves.

鈥淭he goal is to get people back to work sooner and reduce the physical therapy required after surgery,鈥� says Peterson.

Peterson is excited about the new technology. Similar products on the market are very expensive, costing from $3,000 to $5,000 for a 2-inch by 2-inch strip. VersaWrap庐 will be 鈥渄ramatically less expensive.鈥� It is also much thinner than its competition, allowing it to be placed in more narrow areas, and it doesn鈥檛 need to be sutured in place. Peterson is submitting the product for FDA approval by the end of this year and hopes to begin marketing the product next year.

Perhaps aspiring to follow the advice of the late Yogi Berra, 鈥淲hen you come to a fork in the road, take it,鈥� Peterson鈥檚 career has taken many paths, starting from his humble beginnings as a young CU student walking the Ho Chi Minh Trail to class, to becoming a skilled neurosurgeon, the CEO of a revolutionary medical equipment company and the co-owner of a classic-car business.

For current CU students, Peterson鈥檚 advice is two-fold: 鈥淒on鈥檛 get hung up on the hoops you have to jump through to get to the career that you want. Appreciate the stage of your life you are in, and don鈥檛 get too anxious about where you are going to be in the future.鈥�

He also advises students to expand their horizons and broaden their education. 鈥淧eople tend to hyper-focus on the prerequisites for a career and not really try to round out their education,鈥� he explains. 鈥淎ppreciating liberal arts if you are a scientist or engineer, or if you are an artist, taking a business or science class, is really important.鈥�

Lauren White, associate director of development for CU鈥檚 Office of Advancement, is grateful for Dan鈥檚 enthusiasm for his alma mater. 鈥淒an is a strong CU advocate in the Austin community. He鈥檚 an exemplary alum and a true role model for our students,鈥� she notes.

Peterson鈥檚 travels still take him back to 麻豆影院 three to four times a year. Peterson may be a Texas resident now, but part of his heart is still in 麻豆影院.

鈥淭he years I spent in 麻豆影院 were some of the best years ever,鈥� he says.

Laura Kriho is web and publications coordinator for the College of Arts and Sciences.

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