40th Day Remembrance at the University of Tehran, Iran

40^th Day Remembrance for the late Dr. Esmail Meisami at the Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics (IBB), University of Tehran, Iran

Dr. Mahmood Ghaffari, the deputy director of IBB, reports that a memorable and beautiful event was held on Wednesday, February 27, 2013, at the institute.  The event included a poetry reading, clips of pictures of Dr. Meisami and his students, and speeches by several individuals.

As host, Dr. Ghaffari welcomed the audience for attending the event to remember the life and the accomplishments of the beloved Dr. Meisami.  He also remembered other faculty and former students of IBB who have passed away in recent years, including Drs. Naghizadeh, Malekzadeh, Sar Bolooki, and Ziaee, Mr. Ahmad Shakibaee, and Ms. Esmat Razaaqmanesh.  Dr. Ghaffari then gave a brief history of the establishment of IBB by its founders Drs. Lisa Djavadi, Ferydoun Djavadi, Esmail Meisami, Ali Estilai, Parviz Sabour, and others.   He emphasized that the creation of the Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, the establishment of the many laboratories, including the electron microscopy laboratories, the building of the greenhouse, the photography facilities and the library, were all accomplished by the founders.  He mentioned that Dr. Meisami was one of the authors of the high school biology textbooks and a principal organizer of the three international symposia, which were held at the University of Tehran between 1975 and 1978.

The next speaker, Engineer Mohsen Khalily, a relative of Dr. Meisami, talked about the scientific genius and the humanitarian qualities of Essie and expressed his disappointment in the country’s failure to keep its qualified scientists in the country to serve and move the country forward.

Dr. Latif Safari, a former student of Dr. Meisami, presented sweet memories of his former professor and enumerated his contributions.  He also criticized the situations that resulted in the brain drain of the country.

Dr. Shahla Emamian, another former student, with tears in her eyes, spoke of Dr. Meisami’s kindness and helpfulness and remembered and honored all of the founders of IBB and her fellow students.

Miss Elham Morad, the emcee, thanked the attendants.  Although it was a working day, lots of people from a number of institutions attended the remembrance.

On behalf of Dr. Meisami’s family and myself, I would like to thank Dr. Ghaffari, Ms. Morad, Ms. Qasemi, Ms. Naderi and all of the people of IBB for organizing a memorable remembrance worthy of our beloved Essie.

Ali Estilai