Farewell to prof. Fernando Ponz

On Jan-29 a farewell event to Prof. Fernando Ponz took place at CBGP, on the occasion of his retirement.

Prof. Ponz gave a farewell seminar entitled ‘The added value of a hobby’, in which he briefly summarized his scientific contributions and technological developments along more than 45 years of research activity, of which 37 were in INIA (INIA-CSIC today), the last 16 at the CBGP, a center he was a founder of.

Fernando is a well-recognized plant virologist at the national and international level. Entrepreneur in ‘protein factories’ and defender for appropriate labor conditions of the scientific staff in Spanish public research organizations.

The event was followed on-site and on-line by numerous colleagues from the CBGP and other R+D centers, both Spanish and international. Personal friends and members of his family also attended. During the event, CBGP Director, Dr. Isabel Allona, and INIA Director, Dr. Cristina Óvilo, highlighted his contributions and delivered him a gratitude plaque.