Caramujo R. de Carvalho, Maria José

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Limnetica, 27 (1): x-xx (2008)Limnetica, 31 (2): i-ii (2012)c© Asociacio´n Ibe´rica de Limnologı´a, Madrid. Spain. ISSN: 0213-8409Maria Jose´ Lemos Boavida: Limnologist and Teacher,in memoriamMaria Jose´ Caramujo R. de CarvalhoCentro de Biologı´a AmbientalUniversidade de LisboaMaria Jose´ Boavida died on the 30th of August, 2012, aged 64.After graduating in Biology at the University of Lisbon, Portugal, she continued her studies at KentState University (USA). It was at the end of her first year at Kent that, as she was so fond of mentioning,she became fascinated with a paper published by Ramon Margalef in 1951, relative to the production ofphosphatases by Daphnia. This fascination led to her Master thesis topic and later to her Ph.D. studiesand the demonstration that zooplankters were really producing their own phosphatases and not only re-leasing those ingested with their algal food (Boavida and Heath, 1984; Boavida, 2010). The role playedby phosphorus, phosphorus regeneration and zooplankton interactions in lakes were a fundamental partof her scientific research which led to the development of limnology studies in Portugal. She was thenational representative of the International Association of Theoretical and Applied Limnology (SIL),and the Portuguese members of SIL profited from her great effort in keeping us up to date with thelatest limnology developments, and organising the bureaucratic aspects of SIL membership. Many ofus who were her students, thank her the kindness of translating into Portuguese the book Limnologyby her friend R.G. Wetzel, which was famously used as syllabus in her course of “Limnology” at theUniversity of Lisbon. Her curiosity and scientific knowledge, further developed in cooperation with re-searchers both at the University of Lisbon and at several research centres throughout the world, grantedher the esteem from co-workers and students alike.As a teacher, Maria Jose´ was well known for her care in preparing her classes and advising students,to whom she imparted her interest in the various phenomena shaping the dynamics of lakes. Many14320 Limnetica 31(2), pàgina 1, 04/11/2012ii Maria Jose´ Caramujo R. de Carvalhostudents and colleagues became interested in aquatic ecology through her influence and guidance. Thisenthusiasm for science required great dedication and discipline from her part, and often others felt shedemanded a similar level of attention and dedication from them. Although the demand for scientifichonesty and human decency was a requirement in her dealings with students and co-workers, she wasgenerous with those in need of help, and often brought out the best in them. Allying her drive to helpand her characteristic fight against scientific inaccuracy, she recently wrote a “Scientific Glossary ofLimnology” in a small format so that “students may use it in the field or poster sessions in conferences,where often doubts arise and there is nobody (...) to ask” (Boavida, 2011). Considering her prolificcareer, it is fitting that her last book can be carried in the pocket as a protection against embarrassmentand error.Maria Jose´ was born in 1948 in Mozambique where she spent her youth, and moved to Portugalin 1968. She always spoke fondly of her free upbringing, the wonderful nature of the land and a timewhen responsibility for the wellbeing of the fellow human and friendship were all important aspects ofthe human character. Her passing is a great loss for limnology in Portugal, yet, for those who had theprivilege to know her personally, it is the loss of a loyal and generous friend.REFERENCESBOAVIDA, M. J. 2010. It all started with Margalef’s paper of 1951. Limnetica Internet (www.limnetica.es),1: 1–6. Limnetica, 31: 187–192.BOAVIDA, M. J. 2011. Scientific Glossary of Limnology, 63 pp. Escolar Editora, Lisbon.BOAVIDA, M. J. and R. T. HEATH. 1984. Are the phosphatases released by Daphnia magna components of itsfood? Limnol. Oceanogr., 29: 641–645.MARGALEF, R. 1951. Role des entomostraces dans la re´ge´neration des phosphates. Verh. Internat. Verein. Lim-nol., 11: 246–247.14320 Limnetica 31(2), pàgina 2, 04/11/2012

Maria José Lemos Boavida : Limnologist and Teacher, in memoriam

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Maria José Lemos Boavida : Limnologist and Teacher, in memoriam

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