Prominent scientist Lydia Margarita Tablada dies in La Habana

September 29, 2019

On the night of September 27, 2019, the distinguished and beloved Academic of Merit, Dr. Lydia Margarita Tablada Romero (Doctor of Medicine), passed away at the age of 72. She was a Full Member of the Academy of Sciences of Cuba since 1988 and an Academic of Merit since 2000, an institution to which she dedicated her experience, professionalism, and unconditional support.

Lydia Tablada was born in Havana on March 30, 1947, and was the founder and director for many years of the National Center for Agricultural Health (CENSA), from where she worked intensely to detect or rule out diseases and pests affecting animal species and crops of economic interest.

As part of this work, in 2006 she directed the group that prepared the diagnostic assessment for the avian influenza prevention plan and also actively participated in the diagnostic assessment of suspected exotic disease in citrus crops.

Dr. Tablada was a member of the Scientific Council of the Agrarian University of Havana, an honorary member of the Veterinary Society for Disasters of Cuba, and a member of the FAO Expert Group on Ethics in Food and Agriculture (2000–2002).

During her prolific career, she also held the special responsibility of being vice president and president of the Commission on Education, Science and Culture of the National Assembly of People's Power (1986–1998).

Her life and work will be inscribed in the history of Cuban science.

We will remember her as energetic, lively, and tireless.