- Email: [email protected]
Luiz Renato Carneiro da Silva Caldas
J. Photochem. Photobiol. B: Biol., 13 (1992) 3-4
3
Editorial
L.uiz Renato
Carneire
da Silva Caldas
(1929-1991)
Professor Luiz Caldas was killed tragically in a car accident on September 23rd 1991 at the age of 62. Photobiology has lost a well-loved and dedicated scientist who touched all who met him with his boundless enthusiasm and kindness. Caldas was born in the beautiful Brazilian seaside town of Macae nearly 100 miles north of Rio de Janeiro. Like his father before him, he was a qualified medical doctor and he had contact with patients throughout his life, mostly spent in Rio de Janeiro. Indeed in 1968, he became head of the radiotherapy service in one of Rio’s major hospitals. However, already at the age of 21, inspired by his own imagination and discussions with visiting scientists, he was awarded a Brazilian government fellowship to work with Raymond Latarjet at the Curie Institute in Paris and there began a scientific association that was to last throughout his life. Although the defensive role of antioxidant compounds and enzymes is a topic of current interest, it is worth remembering that in publications four decades ago, Caldas was reporting on the role of catalase in protection against radiation damage. From these early days, Caldas continued to work in the laboratory and to contribute to the scientific literature. He was also the driving force behind the initiation of several groups from his scientific home base in the Biophysics Institute of the Health Sciences Centre in the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro. Indeed Caldas’ main professional goal was to encourage the development of science (photobiology in particular) in Brazil - and his influence
Elsevier Sequoia
4
in this sphere was considerable. For example, he organized many courses and international symposia. However, he was also involved in numerous other activities both inside and outside Brazil and for several years he was the Brazilian delegate to the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation which he chaired from 1972 to 1974. Caldas’ talent for organization and his interest in pushing science forward in Brazil led to his appointment as sub-rector responsible for research and post-graduate studies at the University of Rio de Janeiro in 1973. Perhaps too successful in this job, he was nominated rector of the University in 1977. In this position he was responsible for over 30 000 students, a task requiring very special qualities of strength and courage in the years leading up to the restoration of Brazil as a full democracy. Despite these heavy administrative loads, Caldas remained active on the photobiology scene. A frequent and dynamic visitor to international photobiology meetings, he represented and spoke on behalf of the “Cornit International de Photobiologie” at the first annual meeting of the American Society for Photobiology in 1973. A few years later in 1976, with the committee renamed as the “Association Intemationale de Photobiologie”, Caldas became its president and made important contributions during his four-year term of office. Luiz Caldas was no stranger to awards and honours, modestly received. Few pleased him more than his title as “Commandeur des Palmes Academiques” by decree of the French president in 1980. His retirement from the heavier University duties also in the early eighties allowed him the pleasure of dedicating considerable energy to the prestigious Brazilian Academy of Medicine, to which he was elected a full member in 1983. Photobiology’s special ambassador from Brazil will be sorely missed by the international scientific community. Impeccably honest and totally sincere, Caldas was an easy man to love for those of us who had the joy and privilege to know him better. He read and wrote us poetry, metaphorically and literally and straight from his heart. For his marvellous family, this tragic loss is immeasurable. To his gentle wife Lucia and to their sons and daughters - Virgilio, Francisco, Claudia, Lucinha, Elisa and Tanya, we extend our deepest sympathy. R. Tyrrell Cell Mutation Unit ISREC
3
Editorial
L.uiz Renato
Carneire
da Silva Caldas
(1929-1991)
Professor Luiz Caldas was killed tragically in a car accident on September 23rd 1991 at the age of 62. Photobiology has lost a well-loved and dedicated scientist who touched all who met him with his boundless enthusiasm and kindness. Caldas was born in the beautiful Brazilian seaside town of Macae nearly 100 miles north of Rio de Janeiro. Like his father before him, he was a qualified medical doctor and he had contact with patients throughout his life, mostly spent in Rio de Janeiro. Indeed in 1968, he became head of the radiotherapy service in one of Rio’s major hospitals. However, already at the age of 21, inspired by his own imagination and discussions with visiting scientists, he was awarded a Brazilian government fellowship to work with Raymond Latarjet at the Curie Institute in Paris and there began a scientific association that was to last throughout his life. Although the defensive role of antioxidant compounds and enzymes is a topic of current interest, it is worth remembering that in publications four decades ago, Caldas was reporting on the role of catalase in protection against radiation damage. From these early days, Caldas continued to work in the laboratory and to contribute to the scientific literature. He was also the driving force behind the initiation of several groups from his scientific home base in the Biophysics Institute of the Health Sciences Centre in the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro. Indeed Caldas’ main professional goal was to encourage the development of science (photobiology in particular) in Brazil - and his influence
Elsevier Sequoia
4
in this sphere was considerable. For example, he organized many courses and international symposia. However, he was also involved in numerous other activities both inside and outside Brazil and for several years he was the Brazilian delegate to the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation which he chaired from 1972 to 1974. Caldas’ talent for organization and his interest in pushing science forward in Brazil led to his appointment as sub-rector responsible for research and post-graduate studies at the University of Rio de Janeiro in 1973. Perhaps too successful in this job, he was nominated rector of the University in 1977. In this position he was responsible for over 30 000 students, a task requiring very special qualities of strength and courage in the years leading up to the restoration of Brazil as a full democracy. Despite these heavy administrative loads, Caldas remained active on the photobiology scene. A frequent and dynamic visitor to international photobiology meetings, he represented and spoke on behalf of the “Cornit International de Photobiologie” at the first annual meeting of the American Society for Photobiology in 1973. A few years later in 1976, with the committee renamed as the “Association Intemationale de Photobiologie”, Caldas became its president and made important contributions during his four-year term of office. Luiz Caldas was no stranger to awards and honours, modestly received. Few pleased him more than his title as “Commandeur des Palmes Academiques” by decree of the French president in 1980. His retirement from the heavier University duties also in the early eighties allowed him the pleasure of dedicating considerable energy to the prestigious Brazilian Academy of Medicine, to which he was elected a full member in 1983. Photobiology’s special ambassador from Brazil will be sorely missed by the international scientific community. Impeccably honest and totally sincere, Caldas was an easy man to love for those of us who had the joy and privilege to know him better. He read and wrote us poetry, metaphorically and literally and straight from his heart. For his marvellous family, this tragic loss is immeasurable. To his gentle wife Lucia and to their sons and daughters - Virgilio, Francisco, Claudia, Lucinha, Elisa and Tanya, we extend our deepest sympathy. R. Tyrrell Cell Mutation Unit ISREC