v. f. toropova's 85th birthday

1
1061-9348/01/5602- $25.00 © 2001 åAIK “Nauka /Interperiodica” 0196 Journal of Analytical Chemistry, Vol. 56, No. 2, 2001, p. 196. Translated from Zhurnal Analiticheskoi Khimii, Vol. 56, No. 2, 2001, pp. 222–223. Original Russian Text Copyright © 2001 by Editorial Board. On November 20, 2000, Vera Fedorovna Toropova, Doctor of Chemistry, Professor of the Analytical Chemistry Department of Kazan State University cele- brated her 85th birthday. Toropova is widely known among analytical chemists. Vera Fedorovna was born in Molog, Yaroslavl prov- ince, in the town, as she says, “which already does not exist” (in fact, it is beneath the water now). She entered Kazan State University in 1935. “I have an aspiration for studying chemistry more profoundly. A conscien- tious and keen chemist is more useful than a poor engi- neer is. Therefore, I ask you to let me continue my chemical education at the university,” she wrote in the application for admission addressed to the rector of the university, being at that time a student of Kazan Insti- tute of Chemical Technology. Her desire came true. Only excellent marks were in her student’s record- book. She graduated from the Department of Chemis- try with honors. After that, Toropova was a post-gradu- ate student and defended her candidate dissertation under the title “Polarographic Studies of Stability of Some Iron and Copper Complexes with Carbonic Acids” two days before the Great Patriotic War began. By this work, she initiated electrochemical analytical studies at Kazan State University. Prof. Toropova was one of the pioneers of general polarographic applica- tions. During the war, she worked at an armory factory. In 1943, she returned to the Department of Analytical Chemistry at her university. Successfully combining teaching activities with intense research work; in 1959 she defended her doctoral dissertation entitled “Study- ing Metal Complexes in Solutions by Electrochemical Methods.” Even now, this study is of interest because it summarizes all that was made in the polarography of complexes during the first half-period of the develop- ment of the method. Vera Fedorovna is remarkable for her breadth of interests. As already said, she was among the first who started to develop polarography in our country. In the beginning, Toropova studied complex compounds, next, the catalytic currents of hydrogen and oxidants. The studies of Prof. Toropova and her coworkers devoted to amalgam polarography with accu- mulation (as stripping voltammetry was named at that time) were characterized by innovations, experimental thoroughness, and the reliability of results and conclu- sions. The list of her works includes more than 300 titles. She advised more than 50 candidate dissertations. Among her former students, there are five doctors of science. From 1958 to 1986 Prof. Toropova was head of the Department of Analytical Chemistry of Kazan State University. She established a school on electroanalyti- cal chemistry. Her former post-graduate students, who themselves became heads of various scientific and edu- cational divisions, remember that working under her guidance was a real school that favored idea generation and scientific quest and cultivated decency, benevo- lence, and public spirit. Numerous students of Prof. Toropova are widespread throughout the world. They all speak of her with the deepest gratitude, write letters to her, consult with her about scientific problems, share with her their achievements, problems, and simply everyday life. For each of them, Vera Fedorovna has a kind word and wise advice. Today Prof. Toropova, with her great interest and enthusiasm, is pursuing investigations in the field of kinetic analytical methods (including analysis in liquid flows), takes an active part in advising term and diploma papers and post-graduate works. She is a skilled teacher and expert. She celebrates her jubilee in the circle of her students, colleagues, and adherents. The Editorial Board and Staff of Zhurnal Ana- liticheskoi Khimii join her colleagues and students wishing Vera Fedorovna Toropova good health and new scientific achievements. V. F. Toropova’s 85th Birthday CHRONICLE

Post on 03-Aug-2016

216 views

Category:

Documents


1 download

TRANSCRIPT

Page 1: V. F. Toropova's 85th Birthday

1061-9348/01/5602- $25.00 © 2001

åAIK “Nauka

/Interperiodica”0196

Journal of Analytical Chemistry, Vol. 56, No. 2, 2001, p. 196. Translated from Zhurnal Analiticheskoi Khimii, Vol. 56, No. 2, 2001, pp. 222–223.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2001 by Editorial Board.

On November 20, 2000, Vera Fedorovna Toropova,Doctor of Chemistry, Professor of the AnalyticalChemistry Department of Kazan State University cele-brated her 85th birthday. Toropova is widely knownamong analytical chemists.

Vera Fedorovna was born in Molog, Yaroslavl prov-ince, in the town, as she says, “which already does notexist” (in fact, it is beneath the water now). She enteredKazan State University in 1935. “I have an aspirationfor studying chemistry more profoundly. A conscien-tious and keen chemist is more useful than a poor engi-neer is. Therefore, I ask you to let me continue mychemical education at the university,” she wrote in theapplication for admission addressed to the rector of theuniversity, being at that time a student of Kazan Insti-tute of Chemical Technology. Her desire came true.Only excellent marks were in her student’s record-book. She graduated from the Department of Chemis-try with honors. After that, Toropova was a post-gradu-ate student and defended her candidate dissertationunder the title “Polarographic Studies of Stability ofSome Iron and Copper Complexes with CarbonicAcids” two days before the Great Patriotic War began.

By this work, she initiated electrochemical analyticalstudies at Kazan State University. Prof. Toropova wasone of the pioneers of general polarographic applica-tions. During the war, she worked at an armory factory.In 1943, she returned to the Department of AnalyticalChemistry at her university. Successfully combiningteaching activities with intense research work; in 1959she defended her doctoral dissertation entitled “Study-ing Metal Complexes in Solutions by ElectrochemicalMethods.” Even now, this study is of interest because itsummarizes all that was made in the polarography ofcomplexes during the first half-period of the develop-ment of the method. Vera Fedorovna is remarkable forher breadth of interests. As already said, she was amongthe first who started to develop polarography in ourcountry. In the beginning, Toropova studied complexcompounds, next, the catalytic currents of hydrogenand oxidants. The studies of Prof. Toropova and hercoworkers devoted to amalgam polarography with accu-mulation (as stripping voltammetry was named at thattime) were characterized by innovations, experimentalthoroughness, and the reliability of results and conclu-sions. The list of her works includes more than 300 titles.She advised more than 50 candidate dissertations. Amongher former students, there are five doctors of science.

From 1958 to 1986 Prof. Toropova was head of theDepartment of Analytical Chemistry of Kazan StateUniversity. She established a school on electroanalyti-cal chemistry. Her former post-graduate students, whothemselves became heads of various scientific and edu-cational divisions, remember that working under herguidance was a real school that favored idea generationand scientific quest and cultivated decency, benevo-lence, and public spirit. Numerous students of Prof.Toropova are widespread throughout the world. Theyall speak of her with the deepest gratitude, write lettersto her, consult with her about scientific problems, sharewith her their achievements, problems, and simplyeveryday life. For each of them, Vera Fedorovna has akind word and wise advice.

Today Prof. Toropova, with her great interest andenthusiasm, is pursuing investigations in the field ofkinetic analytical methods (including analysis in liquidflows), takes an active part in advising term anddiploma papers and post-graduate works. She is askilled teacher and expert. She celebrates her jubilee inthe circle of her students, colleagues, and adherents.

The Editorial Board and Staff of

Zhurnal Ana-liticheskoi Khimii

join her colleagues and studentswishing Vera Fedorovna Toropova good health and newscientific achievements.

V. F. Toropova’s 85th Birthday

CHRONICLE