Dian Fossey (1932–1985) Zoologist Dian Fossey travelled to Africa in 1966 and began an extensive field study on the behaviour of mountain gorillas. She was a ver y patient and meticulous researcher. Through obser ving the gorillas, she gained the acceptance of several groups and became able to recognise the unique characteristics of each animal . She published her reports in National Geographic magazine. This helped to raise awareness among thousands of people about the need to protect these animals, many of whom were being killed by poachers and in serious danger of extinction . In 1967 she founded the Karisoke Research Center, where she carried out her research . It became an international centre for studying these great apes. Mary Agnes Chase (1869–1963) Botanist Mar y Agnes Chase studied at the University of Chicago. She was a prominent botanist specialising in the scientific study of grasses. Her drawing skills led her to work as a botanical illustrator at the Chicago Museum of Natural Histor y, and later at the United States Department of Agriculture. She classified more than 10 000 plant species and discovered several new species. She wrote an essential book in her field: First book of grasses: the structure of grasses explained for beginners (1959). She also fought for women’s civil rights and helped many young women who were interested in science. Joanne Chory (1955) Botanist Joanne Chor y received her PhD in Microbiolog y from the University of Il linoi s in 1984. However, she has dedicat ed her li fe to plant knowledge and climat e change reduction . Her studies focus on how plants change their si ze and shape, and how they optimi se growth and photosynthesi s in cer tain env ironments. She is developing a plant capable of absorbing greater amounts of carbon dioxide by bur ying it, as well as resisting droughts and f loods. Such plants could slow down climate change. She is also working on improving the ef ficiency of crops. Jane Goodall (1934) Ethologist At the age of 23, she travelled to Kenya , where she met Louis Leakey, who proposed a study of wild chimpanzees in the Gombe Stream Game Reser ve. After completing her PhD, she returned to Kenya and turned the reser ve into a protected national park. In 1977 she founded the Jane Goodall Institute for Wildlife Research , dedicated to the study of chimpanzees. In her observations, she gathered information on the chimpanzees’ use of tools, social structure, hunting, fighting between groups, dominance, upbringing, adoption, etc. Such behaviour fascinated the scientific community through her National Geographic documentaries. This is a selection of some of the people most relevant to the contents of your book. In the units you will meet some more scientists. Can you add any more examples? 15
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