Helia Bravo Hollis
Helia Bravo-Hollis (30 September 1901 - 26 September 2001) was a Mexican botanist, distinguished with the titles of Emeritus Researcher and honoris causa doctorate by the UNAM. For many years she developed her scientific research at the Faculty of Sciences of the same university.
Studies
She was born and raised in the neighborhood of Mixcoac, in Mexico City. Her vocation for the study of living beings came from Sunday walks with her parents.
Though the Mexican Revolution conflicts affect her family, she makes progress with her studies and enters high school in 1919.
Saint Ildefonso (National Preparatory High School), in Mexico City, was a very interesting institution for her, with professors like Vicente Lombardo Toledano, Sotero Prieto, Erasmo Castellano, Antonio Caso, and Isaac Ochoterena, who influences in the interest of Helia for the biological sciences.
Successfully finishing high school, she continues her studies in medicine, as there was pressure from her family to follow that profession and Biology was not available as a career in the National University. Fortunately, such opportunity arises a year afterwards, and she transfers to study at the Faculty of Sciences of the same university.
In 1931, she obtains the degree of Master of Science in Biological Sciences from the Faculty of Philosophy and Letters of the UNAM, with the thesis Contribution to the knowledge of the cactus of Tehuacán, Puebla.
The standard author abbreviation Bravo is used to indicate this individual as the author when citing a botanical name.[1]
Honours
Helia Bravo obtained several distinctions as well as national and international recognitions. The last one was for her work regarding the flora of Metztitlán, Hidalgo, during the creation of the Reservation of the Biosphere of that county in 2000.
Eponymy
Nine taxa of the flora and fauna of Mexico have been appointed in her honour, among them:
- (Cactaceae) Heliabravoa Backeb. -- Cact. Succ. J. Gr. Brit. 18: 23. 1956
References
- Biography and photo of Helia Bravo
- The Succulent. Homage of Jesusa Rodriguez and Liliana Felipe to Helia Bravo Hollis
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