Adelaida K. Semesi

Adelaide Kleti Semesi (1951 – 6 February 2001) was a Tanzanian ecologist, who was Professor of Marine Biology at the University of Dar es Salaam. Known for her work on mangrove ecology, Semesi was the first woman to be a professor in the field of natural sciences in Tanzania.

Quotes about Adelaida

• Prof. Semesi had many international contacts, and worked with scientists in the Eastern African region as well as Europe, the Americas and Asia. She was the first botany co-ordinator for the Sida/SAREC bilateral Marine Science Programme, and the programme owes much of its progress to her important input. It was while in this programme that Adelaida Semesi had the idea of producing this flora. She realised the great need and potential for seaweed research in Tanzania and understood the usefulness of a simple identification tool. During the years, she has continually inspired the work with enthusiasm and a sense for the practical. Apart from being an excellent scientist, Professor Semesi was also a very warm and special person. We who had the pleasure of working with her during these years miss her deeply.
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