TRIBUTE TO PROF. HELION VARGAS

Helion Vargas had an intense life of tireless dedication to science and sport. First, as a professional basketball player, then dedicated exclusively to science, students, friends, and family. The journey of Prof. Vargas began on June 5, 1934, in Paracatu, MG, Brazil. He completed a Bachelor’s degree in Physics at the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG) in 1963, a Master’s degree in Physics at the University of São Paulo (USP) in 1966 and a Doctorate in Science at the University of Grenoble (Scientifique et Medicale Joseph Fourier) in 1973. He was a Full Professor at the Universidade Estadual de Campinas (IFGW-Unicamp), from 1974 to 1993, and at the Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro (UENF) from 1996, becoming Emeritus Professor in 2015. He was a visiting Professor at worldwide universities: Nottingham (UK), Bochum (Germany), Nijmegen (Netherlands), and the Center for Research and Advanced Studies of the National Polytechnic Institute – Cinvestav (Mexico). The scientific production of Prof. Helion Vargas involves about 300 articles, 71 doctoral and master’s thesis supervisions, 2 published books, 1 organized book (Editor), and 30 published book chapters.

Throughout his academic life he received awards and highlights, such as: Fellow, Joliot Curie Foundation (1972); Fellow, The University of Nottingham UK (1979); Prize for Stimulus to Intellectual Production Best Contribution in Experimental Physics, UNICAMP (1985); Zeferino Vaz Award, UNICAMP (1991); Full Member of the Academy of Sciences of the State of São Paulo (1994); Fellow, Mexican National Research Foundation (1996); Commander of the National Order of Scientific Merit, Presidency of the Republic (1998); Highlight in the Ranking of Science: Physics 13th position, Journal Folha de São Paulo (1999); Member of the Brazilian Academy of Sciences (2000); Scientist FAPERJ (2000, 2001, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2009 and 2011) and tribute in recognition of his contributions to the area of Photothermal Phenomena, State University of Maringá (2007). In 2011 Prof. Helion Vargas was honored with the Senior Prize of the IPPA, the highest award given by the International Scientific Community of Photothermal and Photoacoustic Phenomena for his outstanding contributions in this area. In 2013 he received the Darcy Ribeiro medal for relevant work produced at UENF.  His scientific expertise in the natural sciences was internationally recognized and included an emphasis on optical and spectroscopic properties of condensed matter and interactions of matter with radiation and particles, working mainly on the following topics: nuclear and electronic magnetic resonance, photothermal and photoacoustic phenomena, optical and thermal properties of organic and inorganic solids, gases, biological systems and the environment protection issues.

The legacy of Helion Vargas will forever remain as an example of dedication to research that inspired several generations of students and scientists. Contributions from: Mauro Luciano Baesso, Antonio Carlos Bento, Edson Correa da Silva, Luiz Carlos Moura Miranda, Marcelo Gomes da Silva, Marcelo Silva Sthel, Norberto Cella, Maria Dominguez Vargas, Anna Vargas, Alfredo Orea, Juan Jose Alvarado-Gil, Joseph Pelzl, Andreas Mandelis.

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