Armando Theodoro Hunziker
Encyclopedia
Armando Theodoro Hunziker (born in Chacabuco, Argentina on August 29, 1919, died in Córdoba, Argentina
on December 12, 2001) was an Argentine
botanist. He had specialized in the study of systems biology
of the Solanaceae
family
, having contributed with a large number of investigations and publications.
in the University of Buenos Aires
, where he met his mentor, Prof. Lorenzo R. Parodi, who supervised his graduation thesis about the Cuscuta
genus, a parasite that affects wild and cultivated plants in Argentina
and Uruguay
. At the age of 22, he received the first prize for his work ("Premio José Manuel de Altoaguirre") and one year later he received another prize ("Premio Eduardo Holmberg").
In 1945, at the age of 25, he was nominated curator
of the Botanical Museum of the National University of Córdoba
, recommended by the Nobel Prize
winner in Medicine Bernardo Alberto Houssay. Between 1949 and 1982 he was a professor in this university, having achieved the title of honorary professor. In 1957 he received a prize from the National Commission for Culture for regional scientific production; in 1968 he received the "Weissmann Prize" and in 1983 the "Konex de Platino" prize.
He participated in the creation of the National Scientific and Technical Research Council
where he worked as science and technology researcher, from 1963, as a member of the administration council in 1994 and as a senior researcher from 1998.
In 1961 he founded the Kurtziana journal, of which he has been the editor until 1998.
He has worked abroad for several years. Between 1947 and 1954 at Harvard University
, he has done research with Prof. I. W. Bailey. In 1954 he has worked under sponsorship of the British Council
in the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
, England. From 1961 to 1962 and again from 1979 to 1980 he has done research in the United States, under sponsorship of the Guggenheim Foundation
.
In 1999 he was diagnosed with Cancer
and suspended all his other projects, in order to dedicate himself to his main work, the Genera Solanacearum: The Genera of Solanaceae Illustrated, Arranged According to a new System book, which he managed to publish briefly before his death.
During his life he published more than 150 scientific papers and described a great amount of plant species
. One genus, 11 species and one subspecies have been named in his honor.
Córdoba, Argentina
Córdoba is a city located near the geographical center of Argentina, in the foothills of the Sierras Chicas on the Suquía River, about northwest of Buenos Aires. It is the capital of Córdoba Province. Córdoba is the second-largest city in Argentina after the federal capital Buenos Aires, with...
on December 12, 2001) was an Argentine
Argentina
Argentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
botanist. He had specialized in the study of systems biology
Systems biology
Systems biology is a term used to describe a number of trends in bioscience research, and a movement which draws on those trends. Proponents describe systems biology as a biology-based inter-disciplinary study field that focuses on complex interactions in biological systems, claiming that it uses...
of the Solanaceae
Solanaceae
Solanaceae are a family of flowering plants that include a number of important agricultural crops as well as many toxic plants. The name of the family comes from the Latin Solanum "the nightshade plant", but the further etymology of that word is unclear...
family
Family (biology)
In biological classification, family is* a taxonomic rank. Other well-known ranks are life, domain, kingdom, phylum, class, order, genus, and species, with family fitting between order and genus. As for the other well-known ranks, there is the option of an immediately lower rank, indicated by the...
, having contributed with a large number of investigations and publications.
Biography
His family was of Swiss ancestry. An aunt has taught him German, French, Italian and English. He has studied AgronomyAgronomy
Agronomy is the science and technology of producing and using plants for food, fuel, feed, fiber, and reclamation. Agronomy encompasses work in the areas of plant genetics, plant physiology, meteorology, and soil science. Agronomy is the application of a combination of sciences like biology,...
in the University of Buenos Aires
University of Buenos Aires
The University of Buenos Aires is the largest university in Argentina and the largest university by enrollment in Latin America. Founded on August 12, 1821 in the city of Buenos Aires, it consists of 13 faculties, 6 hospitals, 10 museums and is linked to 4 high schools: Colegio Nacional de Buenos...
, where he met his mentor, Prof. Lorenzo R. Parodi, who supervised his graduation thesis about the Cuscuta
Cuscuta
Cuscuta is a genus of about 100-170 species of yellow, orange or red parasitic plants. Formerly treated as the only genus in the family Cuscutaceae, recent genetic research by the Angiosperm Phylogeny Group has shown that it is correctly placed in the morning glory family, Convolvulaceae...
genus, a parasite that affects wild and cultivated plants in Argentina
Argentina
Argentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
and Uruguay
Uruguay
Uruguay ,officially the Oriental Republic of Uruguay,sometimes the Eastern Republic of Uruguay; ) is a country in the southeastern part of South America. It is home to some 3.5 million people, of whom 1.8 million live in the capital Montevideo and its metropolitan area...
. At the age of 22, he received the first prize for his work ("Premio José Manuel de Altoaguirre") and one year later he received another prize ("Premio Eduardo Holmberg").
In 1945, at the age of 25, he was nominated curator
Curator
A curator is a manager or overseer. Traditionally, a curator or keeper of a cultural heritage institution is a content specialist responsible for an institution's collections and involved with the interpretation of heritage material...
of the Botanical Museum of the National University of Córdoba
National University of Córdoba
The National University of Córdoba, , is the oldest university in Argentina, and one of the oldest in the Americas. It is located in Córdoba, the capital of Córdoba Province. Since the early 20th century it has been the second largest university in the country in terms of the number of students,...
, recommended by the Nobel Prize
Nobel Prize
The Nobel Prizes are annual international awards bestowed by Scandinavian committees in recognition of cultural and scientific advances. The will of the Swedish chemist Alfred Nobel, the inventor of dynamite, established the prizes in 1895...
winner in Medicine Bernardo Alberto Houssay. Between 1949 and 1982 he was a professor in this university, having achieved the title of honorary professor. In 1957 he received a prize from the National Commission for Culture for regional scientific production; in 1968 he received the "Weissmann Prize" and in 1983 the "Konex de Platino" prize.
He participated in the creation of the National Scientific and Technical Research Council
National Scientific and Technical Research Council
The National Scientific and Technical Research Council is an Argentine government agency which directs and co-ordinates most of the scientific and technical research done in universities and institutes....
where he worked as science and technology researcher, from 1963, as a member of the administration council in 1994 and as a senior researcher from 1998.
In 1961 he founded the Kurtziana journal, of which he has been the editor until 1998.
He has worked abroad for several years. Between 1947 and 1954 at Harvard University
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
, he has done research with Prof. I. W. Bailey. In 1954 he has worked under sponsorship of the British Council
British Council
The British Council is a United Kingdom-based organisation specialising in international educational and cultural opportunities. It is registered as a charity both in England and Wales, and in Scotland...
in the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, usually referred to as Kew Gardens, is 121 hectares of gardens and botanical glasshouses between Richmond and Kew in southwest London, England. "The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew" and the brand name "Kew" are also used as umbrella terms for the institution that runs...
, England. From 1961 to 1962 and again from 1979 to 1980 he has done research in the United States, under sponsorship of the Guggenheim Foundation
John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation
The John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation was founded in 1925 by Mr. and Mrs. Simon Guggenheim in memory of their son, who died April 26, 1922...
.
In 1999 he was diagnosed with Cancer
Cancer
Cancer , known medically as a malignant neoplasm, is a large group of different diseases, all involving unregulated cell growth. In cancer, cells divide and grow uncontrollably, forming malignant tumors, and invade nearby parts of the body. The cancer may also spread to more distant parts of the...
and suspended all his other projects, in order to dedicate himself to his main work, the Genera Solanacearum: The Genera of Solanaceae Illustrated, Arranged According to a new System book, which he managed to publish briefly before his death.
During his life he published more than 150 scientific papers and described a great amount of plant species
Species
In biology, a species is one of the basic units of biological classification and a taxonomic rank. A species is often defined as a group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. While in many cases this definition is adequate, more precise or differing measures are...
. One genus, 11 species and one subspecies have been named in his honor.
Sources
- Anton, Ana M. 2002. "Armando T. Hunziker (1919 − 2001)"; Taxon 51: 393-403.
- Hunziker, Armando T. 2001. The Genera of Solanaceae. A.R.G. Gantner Verlag K.G., Ruggell, Liechtenstein. ISBN 3-904144-77-4.
External links
- Premios Konex
- Anton A.M. & G.E. Barboza Armando Theodoro Hunziker Acta Horticulturae, ISHS
- Hunziker Juan H. 2000. Some historical aspects of plant cytogenetics in Argentina and Uruguay Genetics and Molecular Biology 23 (4): 917-920.
- Robertson Kenneth R.(Editor) 2000. "In Memoriam" ASPT Newsletter 16 (1).