Our community joins in mourning the passing of well-known marine biologist Luis D’Croz, a beloved colleague and friend of many at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI). Luis studied marine biology at the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México before becoming a professor at the University of Panama and part-time staff scientist at the Smithsonian beginning in 1990.

In 1992, he received a prize for the best scientific article about corals from the International Society for the Study of Corals in Berkeley, CA. His article was published in Springer-Verlag’s journal Coral Reefs. D’Croz co-chaired the organizing committee of the 8th International Coral Reef Symposium held in Panama in 1996. He was president of Panama’s Association for the Advancement of Science (Asociación Panameña para el Avance de la Ciencia, APANAC) from 2004-2005.

D'Croz used his outstanding people skills to build a close relationship between students and faculty at the university and researchers and visiting scientists at the institute. In his laboratory he laid the foundations for the knowledge of physical and chemical factors in sponges with biomedical potential and endless other areas. Luis worked tirelessly as an activist in the defense of the oceans, and for pollution control, especially in the Bay of Panama.

May he rest in peace.