Enrique Forero González was linked for more than 35 years to the National University and particularly to its Institute of Natural Sciences.
Photo: Oscar Perez
Through the social network X, the Institute of Natural Sciences of the National University and the Colombian biochemist Moisés Wasserman, announced the death of the renowned Colombian botanist Enrique Forero González, who until last year served as president of the Colombian Academy of Exact Physical and Natural Sciences. (Can read: The James Webb reveals details of one of the most iconic supernovae in the universe)
The Institute of Natural Sciences “deeply regretted the death of our friend and colleague, Dr. Enrique Forero, a prominent Colombian botanist, who was Full Professor of this house of studies for more than three decades and who was also its director in 1996”, while Wasserman, in addition to highlighting his academic career, added that he was a “great person” and a promoter of science.
Forero was born in Bogotá on December 7, 1942 and in 1965 he had already graduated as a botanist after studying Natural Sciences at the National University. Two years later he received a scholarship from the New York Botanical Garden to pursue graduate studies at New York University. From there he obtained his doctorate in 1972. (You may be interested in: This is how they are using bacteria to find tumors in mice)
For more than 35 years he was linked in different positions to the National University and particularly to its Institute of Natural Sciences. Among the various positions that he held in these institutions, it is worth mentioning that he was director of the Colombian National Herbarium, first director of the graduate program in Systematics, director of the Institute, and dean of the Faculty of Sciences.
However, Forero also held important positions outside the country. Between 1986 and 1991 he was the Director of Research at the Missouri Botanical Garden, he was also an international consultant for the National Center for Genetic Resources (Cenargen) in Brasilia (Brazil) and, between 1992 and 1995, he was the first director of the Institute of Systematic Botany of the New York Botanical Garden. (You can also read: Do not eat story: neither today shakes more nor the earthquakes can be predicted)
His extensive and prolific career, in which he produced more than 120 scientific publications, was focused on the systematics of vascular plants, the flora of Colombia, Brazil, Ecuador, and French Guiana. Before being received as a corresponding member by the Academy of Exact, Physical and Natural Sciences, Forero was also interested in the conservation of natural resources, environmental education, conservation in botanical gardens and the strengthening of the capacity of biology research.
In 1997, the Academy appointed him as a Full Member and, since August 2013, he has served as its president. He held this for almost 10 years, until the microbiologist and geneticist Helena Groot de Restrepo was elected as the first female president of the Colombian Academy of Exact Sciences, in mid-2022.
Academics such as Gonzalo Andrade, current director of the ICN of the U. Nacional, stated: “I learned a lot from him, he taught me many things about academics, administration, and scientific collections. He was a professor at the ICN. He leaves us a great legacy ”. (You may be interested in: Anti-Vaccine Movements Are Now Affecting Dog Health, Too)
Meanwhile, the mathematician Ignacio Mantilla, former rector of the National University, joined the messages of condolence. “It is with great regret that I receive the news of the death of Professor Enrique Forero, former dean of the Faculty of Sciences of the National University and former president of the Colombian Academy of Exact Physical and Natural Sciences. A supportive hug to his family and friends ”.
The House Representative also mourned the death of Forero. “Today Science is in mourning. A noble man and a brilliant mind passed away. Enrique Forero” and assured that he “always fought for Science to be a priority in our country. In his honor we will continue in that cause!”
