Feedback from KLARF fellows
For a detailed evaluation of feedback from KLARF Fellows, see the KLARF review
Gloria Barboza
The visit of some of the most important European herbaria was an
extraordinary and fundamental experience to my current research
on the systematics of Solanaceae. It was also an invaluable opportunity
to meet and establish connections with my colleagues from different
countries working not only on Solanaceae but also on other families
or topics of my interest. From an institutional point of view, I
had the possibility to know that some of the herbaria visited are
strongly interested in initiating exchange of herbarium specimens
with the institution where I work. I refer particularly to the Herbarium
of Stockholm, which has a large amount of available duplicates of
Asplund collections, from Bolivia and Perú. Furthermore,
they are working mostly on South American Asteraceae, one of the
families that is being studied since years in our institution.
I strongly believe that the extraordinary opportunity given to
the young Latin American researchers through this Programme is unique
in the sense that allows them to examine the most important collections
of early botanists kept at the different herbaria or modern collections
of a particular area (e.g. from Ecuador at S or AAU, in my case),
and to get valuable information from rare publications or antique
books missing in Latin America of the specialised libraries of these
institutions. Another aspect I consider relevant of this Programme
is the possibility the young botanists have of meeting experienced
researchers with whom helpful and valuable work discussions favour
our studies. Last but not least: I must say some words about the
excellent efficiency of the Programme with respect of the general
organization, reception of the fellowship recipients, facilities
provided in all aspect during the time visit in Europe. With the
invaluable help and assistance of all the members of the staff of
the Committee, the work is more efficient and productive.
Cecília Ezcurra
The fellowship allowed me to meet people working in similar thematics
as myself and these contacts have been and shall be very useful
for my work. I think the program has been an excellent idea as it
allows botanists from Latin America to use the material and facilities
of European herbaria, which are absolutely necessary for their work.
I do hope it continues so that more Latin American taxonomists will
be able to use it.
Iris Peralta
I would like to point out the significance of the Research Fellowships
Programme. This programme provides a unique opportunity for Latin
America botanist to interact and do research with recognized scientists
in England. Another positive aspect of this programme, is the possibility
to study the important historical and critical plant collections
maintained in European Herbaria.
1. Scientific collaboration
This programme allowed me to interact and collaborate with Dr. Sandra
Knapp at the British Natural History Museum of London. It was a
great opportunity to learn about the systematics of the Solanaceae
family with a recognized expertise. I also had the opportunity to
do research about wild tomato species with Sarah Darwin and Stacey
Smith at the British Natural History Museum. In London, I also worked
with my former Professor David Spooner, from the University of Wisconsin,
Madison. During this period, I helped Sue Zmarzty to organize the
Portulacaceae family at KEW. I met Dr. Judy West from CSIRO, who
is an expertise of this family, and we discussed about a future
project to compare the family in South America and Australia.
2. Collections:
I had the opportunity to study important historical collections,
specially the type specimens described by Linnaeus and other classical
botanists like Dunal and De Candolle. Numerous specimens from 21
European and American Herbaria were stored at the British Natural
History Museum. Most of these specimens have been identified and
organized and included in a database for the monograph. Thanks to
this Programme, I visited important European herbaria to study critical
collections in Montpellier (MPU) and Paris (P) (France), Geneve (G,
Switzerland), and Madrid (MA, Spain). I could analyze type specimens
and solve several nomenclatural problems. In the Montpellier herbarium,
I had the opportunity to study the inedited and beautiful drawings
of Solanum species made by Node-Veran in the 19th century. In the
archives of KEW Gardens, I also could analyze the original letters
that John Gillies, who lived in Mendoza (Argentina) in the 19th century
(1822-1830), wrote to William Hooker. Gillies described several
new native species, and his letters will help us to reconstruct
the early botanical history of Mendoza.
Graça Sajo
O programa permitiu a consolidação de um acordo de
colaboração entre a seção de Micromorfologia
do Jodrell e departamento onde trabalho no Brasil; dessa forma,
alunos brasileiros poderão desenvolver estágios e
parte de suas teses de doutorado aí em Kew. Considero o programa
de extrema importâcia pois permite que pesquisadores latino-americanos
ampliem seus conhecimentos e estabeleçam contatos com pesquisadores
de outras partes do mundo.
Victoria Sosa
My visit to Kew was very important in my tranining in molecular
techniques, which I am applying now at our Molecular Laboratory
in the Instituto de Ecologia, A.C. I am writing new papers with
the results of our lab, based on what I learned at Kew. I think
that the programme is very important for Latin American taxonomists.
Usually, funding agencies do not support this kind of training.
Visits to herbaria or work in different laboratories (anatomical,
molecular, phytochemical, etc.) are fundamental in systematic research.
The largest plant collections are outside Latin American, therefore
visits to large herbaria are very important.
Martin Timaná
One of the most positive impacts this fellowship has had for
my work is the experience I obtained by working in World-class
institutions such as R.B.G. Kew and the British Museum. Being a "classical"
taxonomist with a strong interest in the historical and bibliographical
aspects of plant systematics, I was particularly enlightened by
the rich archives and libraries of these two institutions. During
my visit I realized the tremendous importance of researching unpublished
material such as correspondance and journal diaries as well as illustrations.
On a more practical side, my visit to these institutions speeded
up tremendously the gathering of all relevant literature (original
descriptions and 'historical' literature); I think it would have
taken me several months to do it without the fellowship.
Thanks
to this fellowship I was also able to study historical specimens
that are not available for loan, such as those at the Florence herbarium
and the Humboldt herbarium in Paris.
Through this fellowship
I was able to contact (and personally meet) a network of researchers
in Europe that have collaborated tremendously in my project by helping
me obtain plant specimens from the most remote places on Earth.
I consider my visit to Europe as one of the main highlights and
a turning point in my career, for I was able to learn new "things"
beyond my expectations (by "things" I mean for example,
researching archival documents). It also reinforced my desire of
focusing my future career on the historical and bibliographical
aspects of botany and natural history. I strongly believe the Programme
should continue for it will have a deep impact on young Latin American
botanists. I will always be grateful for the honor and the opportunity
the Programme offered me.
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