F. Gwendolen Rees
Encyclopedia
Florence Gwendolen Rees, FRS
(3 July 1906 — 4 October 1994) was a British zoologist
and parasitologist
. Her career was at the Zoology Department of the University College of Wales, Aberystwyth
, where she held positions of Assistant Lecturer (1930–7), Lecturer (1937–47), Senior Lecturer (1947–66), Reader (1966–71) and Professor (1971–3), becoming Professor Emeritus in semi-retirement in 1973. She was also Chairman of the School of Biological Studies (1972–3) and acting Head of Department (1948, 1969, 1970).
, focusing on systematics
, comparative functional morphology, histology
and life cycle
s of trematode and cestode parasites. Her work was important in elucidating the relationship of these parasites with their non-vertebrate intermediate host
s.
She was a founder member of the British Society for Parasitology, and served as its President (1974–76). She chaired the Editorial Board of the journal Parasitology (1970–81).
in the same year. She received the Linnean Medal
, the highest award of the Linnean Society
, in 1990. She also featured in a 1975 Vogue
article on influential British women.
FRS
-Education:* Frontier Regional School, a regional school located in South Deerfield, Massachusetts-Government:*FRS 567 states that, an accountant shall perfom his/ her duty with due care...
(3 July 1906 — 4 October 1994) was a British zoologist
Zoology
Zoology |zoölogy]]), is the branch of biology that relates to the animal kingdom, including the structure, embryology, evolution, classification, habits, and distribution of all animals, both living and extinct...
and parasitologist
Parasitology
Parasitology is the study of parasites, their hosts, and the relationship between them. As a biological discipline, the scope of parasitology is not determined by the organism or environment in question, but by their way of life...
. Her career was at the Zoology Department of the University College of Wales, Aberystwyth
University of Wales, Aberystwyth
Aberystwyth University is a university located in Aberystwyth, Wales. Aberystwyth was a founding Member Institution of the former federal University of Wales. As of late 2006, the university had over 12,000 students spread across seventeen academic departments.The university was founded in 1872 as...
, where she held positions of Assistant Lecturer (1930–7), Lecturer (1937–47), Senior Lecturer (1947–66), Reader (1966–71) and Professor (1971–3), becoming Professor Emeritus in semi-retirement in 1973. She was also Chairman of the School of Biological Studies (1972–3) and acting Head of Department (1948, 1969, 1970).
Background
Her research was in the area of helminthologyHelminthology
Helminthology is the study of worms, especially parasitic worms. This field deals with the study of their taxonomy and the effect on their hosts....
, focusing on systematics
Systematics
Biological systematics is the study of the diversification of terrestrial life, both past and present, and the relationships among living things through time. Relationships are visualized as evolutionary trees...
, comparative functional morphology, histology
Histology
Histology is the study of the microscopic anatomy of cells and tissues of plants and animals. It is performed by examining cells and tissues commonly by sectioning and staining; followed by examination under a light microscope or electron microscope...
and life cycle
Biological life cycle
A life cycle is a period involving all different generations of a species succeeding each other through means of reproduction, whether through asexual reproduction or sexual reproduction...
s of trematode and cestode parasites. Her work was important in elucidating the relationship of these parasites with their non-vertebrate intermediate host
Intermediate host
A secondary host or intermediate host is a host that harbors the parasite only for a short transition period, during which some developmental stage is completed. For trypanosomes, the cause of sleeping sickness, humans are the primary host, while the tsetse fly is the secondary host...
s.
She was a founder member of the British Society for Parasitology, and served as its President (1974–76). She chaired the Editorial Board of the journal Parasitology (1970–81).
Awards
She became a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1971, the first Welsh woman to be elected. She was also elected Fellow of the Institute of BiologyInstitute of Biology
The Institute of Biology was a professional body for biologists, primarily those working in the United Kingdom. The Institute was founded in 1950 by the Biological Council: the then umbrella body for Britain's many learned biological societies...
in the same year. She received the Linnean Medal
Linnean Medal
The Linnean Medal of the Linnean Society of London was established in 1888, and is awarded annually to alternately a botanist or a zoologist or to one of each in the same year...
, the highest award of the Linnean Society
Linnean Society of London
The Linnean Society of London is the world's premier society for the study and dissemination of taxonomy and natural history. It publishes a zoological journal, as well as botanical and biological journals...
, in 1990. She also featured in a 1975 Vogue
Vogue (magazine)
Vogue is a fashion and lifestyle magazine that is published monthly in 18 national and one regional edition by Condé Nast.-History:In 1892 Arthur Turnure founded Vogue as a weekly publication in the United States. When he died in 1909, Condé Montrose Nast picked up the magazine and slowly began...
article on influential British women.