Death of Erwan Ar Gall
Erwan began his studies in Brest with a Bachelor’s degree in Biology and a Master’s degree in Oceanography. Very early on, he was fascinated by the study of macroalgae and continued his studies with a DEA in algology in Paris and a PhD in Roscoff entitled “Production and culture of protoplasts of Chondrus crispus Stackhouse (Gigartinales, Gigartinacées). Application to the study of the genome”. He continued his work on red algae protoplasts during a post-doctoral fellowship in Taipei (Taiwan). He then returned as a contract researcher and temporary teaching and research assistant in Roscoff and Lille on the topics of Rhodophyte wall biochemistry, as well as genetic selection and iodine metabolism in Laminariales.
As a lecturer at the UBO, at the LEBAM (then LEBHAM) before joining the LEMAR, he first worked on defense and photoprotection mechanisms in macroalgal populations. His current research focuses on the monitoring of intertidal macroalgal communities and their evolution in the context of global change, particularly in the framework of REBENT/DCE/DCSMM. Erwan was also involved in research programs on the preservation of algal fields in Brittany. Erwan has always transmitted with enthusiasm his knowledge on the biology and ecology of macroalgae to the different students he has supervised and has accompanied them with passion on the foreshore.
A great defender of Brittany and the Breton language, he was, among other things, a member of the association Kreizenn ar Geriaouiñ, which aims to develop Breton scientific terminology. He regularly had fun sending documents in Breton by e-mail, and distilled here and there words in Breton in his courses, his e-mails, his exchanges with others. Throughout the year, he also wore the colors and logos of Brittany with a whole collection of T-shirts made in BZH. Erwan was a fundamentally benevolent man who was appreciated by all, with his own sense of humor and very committed ideas. A true pillar of LEBAM and then of LEMAR, he will be missed and never forgotten.
