Annakkili Amma Research Institute (AARI)

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Prof. Isabella Aiona Abbott Hawai'ian Phycologist | Prominent Algologists around the World | Scientist of the Week

July 23, 2021

Prof. Isabella Aiona Abbott Prof. Isabella Aiona Abbott, whose native Hawai'ian name was Isabella Kauakea (White Rain of Hana) Yau Yung Aiona was born on June 20, 1919. Her father was ethnically Chinese while her mother was a Native Hawaiian. Abbott was the only girl and second youngest in a family of eight siblings. She received her undergraduate degree in botany at the University of Hawaii at Mānoa in 1941, a master's degree in botany from the University of Michigan in 1942, and a Ph.D. in botany from the University of California, Berkeley in 1950. In that era, women with PhDs were scarce and faculty positions for them were even scarcer. She was the first Native Hawai’ian woman to earn a Ph.D. in science. She married a zoologist Donald Putnam Abbott, who had been a fellow student at the University of Hawaii as well as Berkeley. The couple moved to Pacific Grove, California where her husband taught at the Hopkins Marine Station run by Stanford University. For the first f

Prof. Paul Claude Silva American Phycologists | Prominent Algologists around the World | Scientist of the Week

July 16, 2021

Prof. Paul Claude Silva Prof. Paul Claude Silva, with whom, I had a brief interaction during 2010 when I came across a specimen of Codium collected from one of the islands of Gulf of Kutch. It was so different from the rest of the species, I encountered before, in its gross morphology and anatomy as well, that I thought of describing it as new species. However, before that, I just wanted to confirm, if my conclusion of it being new species is true or not. And who could have been better than Prof. Paul Silva - a leading authority on Codium - to confirm. To my great surprise, Prof. Silva replied instantly to my email and send me some literature on similar species described before offering me help to prepare a manuscript, unfortunately, which never happened and the species still remained undescribed. Paul was born in San Diego, California, USA, on 31 October 1922. After graduation, and a one-year post-doctoral fellowship investigating sewage treatment-pond algae, Paul was hired

Scientist of the Week Setchell et Gardner American Phycologists | Prominent Algologists around the World

July 09, 2021

W. A. Setchell N. L. Gardner I am sure everyone who is into the business of identifying seaweeds must have come across the names, Setchell et Gardner. At least when I described Ulva taeniata from Malvan in 2007, I was curious to know more about these two amazing Phycologists. They together described more than 670 species and infraspecific taxa from at least 110 genera, 40 of which were new to science. Thus the pair remembered for their joint legacy. They were of the same age, had the same interest, and spent their phycological career at the Department of Botany and Herbarium of the University of California at Berkeley. The careers of two men were inextricable; their talents and abilities were in part congruent and in part complementary. William Albert Setchell was born in Norwich, Connecticut on April 15, 1864, into a family that had deep roots in New England. He had an early interest in natural history in particular Botany. Apart from marine algae, he was prolific in other

Scientist of the Week Prof M.S. Balakrishnan (1917-1990) Indian Phycologist | Prominent Algologists around the World

July 02, 2021

M.S. Balakrishnan (1917-1990) (Courtesy: B.B.Chaugule: in Seaweed Research and Utilization 13(1), July 1990) Prof. Balakrishnan was born on 10th February 1917 at Madras. His parents were both active in the struggle for national freedom. His father gave up a good position in Government service to join the civil disobedience movement. His mother was an austere person, a Gandhian, and an eminent writer in Tamil. Prof. Balakrishnan had his education in Madras and took his B.Sc. (Hons.) degree in Botany from Presidency College, Madras. He later joined the University Botany Laboratory, Chepauk, Madras to work for his M.Sc. degree under the guidance of the late Prof. M.O.P.Iyengar, Father of Indian Algology. After taking his M.Sc. degree, he joined the Department of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India as a sub-editor. Soon the academically bent Prof. Balakrishnan left this job and took up a Research Fellowship at the Agricultural College and Research Institute, Coimbatore. Afte

Dr. Josephine Tilden (1869-1957) American Phycologist | Prominent Algologists around the World | Scientist of the Week

June 25, 2021

Scientist of the Week Dr. Josephine Tilden: Scientist of the week Dr. Josephine Tilden (24 March 1869 to15 May 1957) was one of the most enthusiastic and dedicated phycologist; indefatigable as a teacher, researcher, and bibliographer. She was born on March 24, 1869, in Davenport, Iowa, US. Tilden believed strongly in the equality of women and despite many obstacles never let her gender impede her from pursuing her remarkable career. Prof. Conway MacMillan introduced her to the world of algae at the University of Minnesota. In 1894 she prepared and distributed the first 'Century (100 species) of her American Algae, an exsiccate that eventually included 32,500 specimens of both freshwater and marine taxa. Tilden had an uncanny skill for finding superb collecting sites. Perhaps the most famous of her sites is Botanical Beach, an area located near Port Renfrew. Here she established the world-famous 'Minnesota Seaside Station' where she conducted Marine biology courses durin

Prof. Johan Harald Kylin (1879 – 1949) Swedan Phycologist | Prominent Algologists around the World | Scientist of the Week

June 18, 2021

Prof. Johan Harald Kylin - Scientist of the Week Prof. Johan Harald Kylin (5 February 1879 – 16 December 1949) had remarkable versatility and made major biochemical and physiology discoveries on brown, green and red seaweeds; but know only for his contribution to red algal systematics. His undoubted scientific prowess was married to a firm belief in steady, hard work, an iron will, and a high level of personal organization. Arctic phycologist F. R. Kjellman influenced him greatly at Uppsala and developed a life-long interest in marine algae. Although, he obtained employment as Conservator at the Botanical Museum of Uppsala, the time he spent during 1912-13 at the Leipzing laboratory of Wilhelm Pfeffer - which at that time was the Mecca of plant physiologists gave him great insights into physiology which he later used in marine algae - several of the aspects first time in the world. He has the Chair in anatomy and physiology at Lund in 1920 where he remained until his retirem

Dr Mary Winifred Parke (1908-1989) | British Phycologist | Prominent Algologists around the World

June 11, 2021

Dr Mary Winifred Parke was the guiding force of British Phycology from 1950-70, was born on 23 March 1908 at Liverpool (England). She came under the influence of Dr. Margery Knight and started studying marine algae from 1930 onwards. Both were extremely hard workers and wrote 'Manx Algae' in 1931. This was not just the flora of Port Erin but the account of distribution, life-history, ecology, and developmental biology, all these branches were in their infancy at that time in phycological research. Her richest contribution "culture of flagellates of phycoplanktons' came because of Prof. Orton who was working on artificial rearing of oysters. He entrusted Mary with isolating and culturing the best suitable food source. Her efforts succeeded in isolating and developing six organisms one of which Isochrysis galbana later became the most important food source in mariculture. Mary was appointed as Botanist at Plymouth Laboratory in 1947. She painstakingly

Dr. Elmer Yale Dawson (1918-1966) | American Botanist, Taxonomist and Phycologist | Prominent Algologists around the World

June 04, 2021

Dr. Elmer Yale Dawson (March 31, 1918 – June 22, 1966) was an American botanist, phycologist, taxonomist, ecologist, and naturalist writer. He was a field worker of boundless energy, pursuing deeper into unexplored biological territories. The sheer volume of his work is astounding with 170 articles, books, reviews, newsletters, considering he was only 48 years old at the time of his death. His initial interest in cactus and succulent plants was soon taken over by his passion for seaweeds for a lifetime. He arrived at the University of California, Berkeley in 1936 and quickly discovered zeal and enthusiasm for 'microscopy'. He was the last and most productive student of WA Setchell ( he completed his Ph.D. in only two years). His participation in 'Allan Hancock Expedition to the Gulf of California' has resulted in a major phycological contribution "Marine Algae of Gulf of California" (1944) still relevant referred by the phycol

Fredrik Christian Emil Børgesen (1866-1956) Danish Botanist and Phycologist | Prominent Algologists around the World

May 28, 2021

Fredrik Christian Emil Børgesen (1 January 1866 – 22 March 1956) belonged to a prosperous Copenhagen family with a strong clannishness and well-managed finances, this made him a researcher independent of salary and promotion. Fredrik Christian Emil Børgesen His first major algal flora was that of "Danish West Indies" (1913-1929) included over 700 pages and 600 beautiful drawings, became the classical investigation of tropical seaweeds. It was appreciated for a detailed investigation of morphology, anatomy, and cytology. Later, he became a librarian at the Library of the Botanical Garden (1900–1935). Børgesen further made investigations of marine algae e.g. around Mauritius, the Canary Islands, and the Antilles. In winter 1927-28 he was invited by the University of Bombay to study the marine algal flora of India. He investigated seaweeds of Bombay, Dwarka, Okha, Tuticorin, and Karachi (now in Pakistan). Wh

Dr. Kintaro Okamura (1867 to 1935) Icones of Japanese Algae | Prominent Algologists around the World

May 21, 2021

Dr. Kintaro Okamura Kintaro Okamura (May 5, 1867 - August 21, 1935) was a legendary Japanese Phycologist and today known as "Father of Phycology in Japan". He devoted his entire life studying seaweeds from two perspectives: flora and the development of seaweed mariculture in Japan. Okamura (1928) presented a significant paper in which he pointed out that the distribution patterns of seaweeds were closely correlated with two currents warm known as 'Kuroshio' and cold known as 'Oyashio', the view still has widespread support. He was very prolific and published more than 200 scientific research papers. Among them 'Illustrations of Marine Algae of Japan' and seven volumes of 'Icons of Japanese Algae' most sought after even today. He also produced writings of literary essays best was 'Shumi karamita Kaiso to Jinnsei (Seaweeds and human life: a tasteful reading). In addition these he was also known p

Prof. William Randolph Taylor (1895-1990) | Prominent Algologists around the World

May 14, 2021

Prof. William Randolph Taylor (December 21, 1895 – November 11, 1990) was an American Phycologist of international repute. He served as a Professor at the Department of Botany of the University of Michigan. His greatest contribution was to document a floristic account of benthic tropical marine algae of the Americas. Prof. William Randolph Taylor He was the recipient of several honors including the first GM Smith Gold Medal in Phycology. He was a founding member of the Phycological Society of America. He was associated with Marine Biological Laboratory in Woods Hole, MA. He has published a total of 122 papers and books on algae, which would be almost impossible for one person to accomplish such a feat again. All his marine algal floras are still relevant and referred (even after the gap of over a century) world over for identification of seaweeds, speaks worth of his meticulous work. Our beloved Dr. Francesca Thivy madam was his student. Data compiled by: Dr. Vaibhav A

Dr. Felix Eugen Fritsch FRS; 26 April 1879 – 2 May 1954 | Prominent Algologists around the World

May 07, 2021

Prominent Algologists around the World (Prof. F. E. Fritsch) Prof. Felix Eugen Fritsch FRS; 26 April 1879 – 2 May 1954: was a world-renowned British Phycologist. Fritsch started his career at the University of Munich before moving to research at University College London and also the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew. He was Professor and Head of the Botanical Department, Queen Mary College (formerly East London College), University of London. His notable contributions are 1. Two volumes of "The Structure and Reproduction of the Algae" 2. He coined the term "heterotrichous" for special habits found in the selected group of algae and proposed theories arising from it. 3. Founder of Freshwater Biological Association. 4. He mentored Dr. Pringsheim and played a pivotal role in the establishment of the now world-famous "Culture Collection of Algae and Protozoa". Our beloved Prof. M. O. P. Iyengar and a father of Indian Algology was PhD student of Prof. Fritsch. Prof

Dr. Kathleen M Drew Baker | Prominent Algologists around the World

May 01, 2021

Prominent Algologists around the World Dr. Kathleen M Drew Baker, a legendary Phycologist of the 20th century. Her significant breakthrough in deciphering the life cycle of Porphyra - sushi - has revolutionized commercial cultivation in Japan, Korea, and China. Although not known much in the academic circles of her native United Kingdom, her contributions are recognized immensely in Japan. They have constructed a monument dedicated to her at Kumamoto Prefecture, wherein she has carved as “Mother of the Sea". Every year on April 14th “Dru festival" is celebrated nationwide in her honour. Data compiled by: Dr. Vaibhav A. Mantri , Principal Scientist & Divisional Chair, CSIR-CSMCRI, Bhavnagar, Gujarat, India. Source Credit: "Prominent Phycologists of the 20th Century" by David J Garbary and Michael J. Wynne (Eds)

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