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In Memory of Ângelo B. M. Machado (1934–2020)

Frederico and Ângelo Machado

In May (22) we celebrate the birth of one of the brightest and most generous minds in Brazilian science and literature: Ângelo Barbosa Monteiro Machado. A physician, professor, entomologist, writer, playwright, and environmentalist, Ângelo dedicated his life to understanding and sharing the wonders of nature and human knowledge.

Born in Belo Horizonte in 1934, he graduated in Medicine from the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), where he also earned his doctorate. He specialized in neuroanatomy and made significant contributions to the understanding of autonomic nervous system lesions in Chagas disease. He established the Laboratory of Neurobiology and, together with his wife, Professor Conceição Ribeiro da Silva Machado, founded the Electron Microscopy Center at UFMG’s Institute of Biological Sciences.

He completed a postdoctoral fellowship at Northwestern University (Chicago) and was a member of prestigious institutions, such as the Brazilian Academy of Sciences, the Minas Gerais Academy of Medicine, and the Minas Gerais Academy of Letters.

At the age of 50, Ângelo embarked on a new journey as a children's literature writer, combining science and art with humor and sensitivity. He published over 50 works, many of them aimed at children, addressing themes related to nature and science.

Among his most renowned books are O Velho da Montanha – Uma Aventura Amazônica ("The Old Man of the Mountain – An Amazonian Adventure"), which earned him the Jabuti Prize in 1992, O Dilema do Bicho-Pau ("The Stick Insect's Dilemma"), and A Festa de Aniversário da Aline ("Aline's Birthday Party"), as well as the widely celebrated textbook Neuroanatomia Funcional ("Functional Neuroanatomy"), with numerous reprints since 1974, now in its 4th edition, thoroughly revised and updated. Since the 3rd edition, it has included the collaboration of pediatric neurologist Dr. Lucia Machado Hartel.

In addition to literature, Ângelo also excelled as a playwright, with six plays performed. One of them, A Comédia dos Defuntos sem Cova ("The Comedy of the Unburied Dead"), was specially written for the stage and premiered in Belo Horizonte in 2019.

As an entomologist, he dedicated himself to the study of dragonflies, describing around 100 new species and 11 genera of these insects. He assembled a collection of over 35,000 specimens, considered the most important in South America, which he donated to UFMG in 2015.

A member of the Brazilian Academy of Sciences and the Minas Gerais Academy of Letters, Ângelo also served as president of the Curator Council of the Biodiversitas Foundation and contributed to the creation of the magazine Ciência Hoje das Crianças ("Science Today for Kids"), significantly advancing science outreach in Brazil.

His legacy is vast and multifaceted, reflecting an unwavering commitment to education, science, and environmental conservation. His ability to communicate scientific complexities with lightness and humor inspired generations of readers and researchers.

I personally met Dr. Ângelo in 1995 when I was beginning my studies with Odonata. After contacting him by phone — kindly provided by the late Dr. Janira M. Costa from the National Museum — we spoke for a few minutes, and he promptly invited me to his home in Belo Horizonte.

Upon arriving there, my wife and I were warmly welcomed by him and by Dr. Conceição at their beautiful home, decorated with tiles specially made for him, depicting Microstigmas. We talked at length; he showed me his spectacular collection — now housed at UFMG — and we even made a brief excursion to the Serra do Cipó. Thus, a beautiful friendship was born.

Unfortunately, we met in person only a few more times, such as at the SBPC meeting in São Paulo and on his 80th birthday in Belo Horizonte, but we often kept in touch by email and phone.

In 2005 or 2006, I bought one of his children's books for my daughter. In one of our many conversations, I mentioned that she had read and loved it. He immediately said: "I will send all my books as a gift for her." And so he did: he dedicated all the books, sent her a card, and from then on, many times, when he released a new book, he would write a dedication and send it — either to my daughter or to me and my wife — as in the case of the very humorous Borboletas Eróticas ("Erotic Butterflies").

We exchanged many emails and phone calls, helped each other with individual publications, and even published some works together. But life is like that: the rush of daily life ends up leading us more than we truly lead it. My daughter always wanted to meet him in person, but unfortunately, we couldn’t make that happen.

For me, writing this text was quite difficult. I deeply miss dear Dr. Ângelo, his incredible energy and joy. I miss those unexpected phone calls in the middle of the day, with that enthusiastic “Lenciooooooni” shouted from the other end of the line.

I launch this program this month as a tribute to my friend Ângelo Machado, a great encourager of my research, whose life and work continue to illuminate paths and awaken curiosity and enchantment for the natural world. I carry on here, striving to conduct research despite all the challenges imposed by this country, and trying to assist other researchers whenever I can — just as he always did.

Scientific Literature

Neuroanatomia Funcional - Angelo Machado, Lúcia Machado Haertel. - 4. ed. - Rio de Janeiro: Atheneu, 2022.

Scientific Papers

Youth literature

Livros de Ângelo Machado

Source

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