Peter W. Sorensen, Professor
 124 Hodson Hall
1980 Folwell Avenue
University of Minnesota
St. Paul, MN 55108 –6124
612-624-4997 (Office)
612-625-5299 (Fax)
PSorensen@umn.edu
As a boy, Peter Sorensen watched commercial fishing boats unloading
their catches and was captivated by the diversity of fishes. He was intrigued
by the profound effects that chemicals such as odors and pollutants have
on all aspects of aquatic life. Dr. Sorensen received a B.A. from Bates
College and developed his love of research at the University of North
Wales and the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute. In 1984, he earned
a Ph.D. in Biological Oceanography from the University of Rhode Island
for his discovery that compounds derived from stream microbes direct
the migration of larval eels. As a postdoctoral fellow at the University
of Alberta, he worked with Norm Stacey and identified some of the first
sex pheromones (chemical signals that pass between members of the same
species) in fish. These pheromones were hormonal derivatives; this discovery
led Dr. Sorensen to study the relationship between hormones, olfaction,
and behavior. This approach has since yielded evidence that most, if
not all, fish employ 'hormonal pheromones'.
Dr. Sorensen accepted a position at the University of Minnesota in 1988
to study fish behavior, olfaction, and physiology. His position
is based in the Department of Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation
Biology; however,
he has graduate appointments in Conservation Biology, Ecology,
Evolution & Behavior,
Neuroscience, and Water Resources Science. Peter is enthusiastic
to work with students on projects involving any topic that addresses
fish behavior,
physiology, and chemoreception. Basic and applied topics are
of equal interest (see Research
Page). His may be the only lab in the world with
such a focus. Peter invites you to contact him if you share these
interests. |
