Appendix F

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Lucia Mazzella (1947-1999)

On the 25^th of June Lucia Mazzella passed away in Ischia after a long fight against the illness that, despite her strong will to live, prevailed in the end. The void her death leaves in all the people who knew her is both human and scientific, since her human interests and scientific expertise were wide and profound. Lucia’s relationship with the Stazione Zoologica dates back to 1970, the year of her graduation from the University of Naples. In 1973 she was offered the position of researcher at the Laboratory of Benthic Ecology, located on the island of Ischia where which she was born. She developed studies on benthic micro- (diatoms) and macroalgae both from a taxonomical and ecological point of view. Her subsequent area of interest, in which she was poised to become an international leading authority, was the study of Mediterranean seagrass ecosystems, and over the years she contributed to promoting an innovative multidisciplinary approach to these complex coastal systems. Among the most relevant achievements of her inspired scientific contribution was the definition of the structure and dynamics of the epiphytic community of Posidonia oceanica, and the ecophysiology of photosynthesis, production and carbon balances of seagrasses. Lucia’s professional activity was devoted not only to scientific progress and exchange, but also to improvement of education and training both at a national and international level. Lucia was also very concerned about the social role of the ecological scientific community, and she was the institution’s promoter of marine natural reserves both in the Gulf of Naples and in the Antarctic, where she had the opportunity to work at the Italian base during the austral summer of 1993-94.

Lucia recognized, earlier than many other ecologists, the importance of molecular biology techniques for addressing ecological issues, and in her last years she endorsed a new research line focusing on population genetics and molecular phylogeny of seagrasses and other key marine species. Lucia was designated Italian representative to the European Network of Marine Biodivesity (MARS) and she was chief-editor of P.S.Z.N.I. Marine Ecology, a role in which she was deeply involved from her appointment as assistant editor in 1989, and that she was willing and able to pursue up until her last days.

Lucia was a reserved, humble and sincere person, with a lively and active personality; she overcame, with a positive perspective, all the difficult moments of her life, including illness, with uncommon courage and determination, conveying such feelings to all people in contact with her. Our hearts are saddened but we are happy to have been Lucia’s friends.

Eizo Nakano (1922-1999)

A Pioneer in the biochemistry of fertilization, Eizo Nakano, together with A. Monroy, carried out research studies on protein synthesis activation immediately after fertilization in sea urchin eggs, by using the technique of radioactive amino acid insertion in eggs. His research greatly contributed to the definition of certain metabolic pathways during oogenesis and specifically the glycogen metabolism. He greatly contributed to the knowledge of the substances which enable intercellular and cell-matrix adhesion (fibronectins) and carbohydrates metabolism during sea urchin embryonic development. He was a member of the Consiglio Scientifico of the Stazione Zoologica from 1988 to 1991 and promoted the agreement between the Stazione and the Italian-Japanese Biological Association to increase cooperation in the fields of marine biology, physiology, ecology and molecular biology.

Massimiliano Aloisi (1907 -1999)

Massimiliano (or Massimo) Aloisi was a forerunner of muscular research in Italy. Thanks to his morphologic/biochemical studies on experimental muscular dystrophy with avitaminosis E., he earned an international reputation and the support of the "Muscular Dystrophy Association of America". In 1971 the Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche gave him the opportunity to found the Centro per lo Studio della Biologia e la Fisiopatologia in Padua, which was an important point of reference for researchers of this field throughout the world. His biological work was concerned with naturalist branches and produced key contributions to many areas, that is, not only to base research on muscle, but also to theoretic topics of biology, philosophy and the history of science.

Massimo Aloisi was a real intellectual, gifted with a wide range of cultural interests and talent for richness in writing. From 1975 to 1979 he was a member of the Stazione Zoologica Consiglio Scientifico and contributed to the scientific rebirth of the Institute.