| 2006-10-22 11:53:30 |
Memorial Garden in honor of Robert Apkarian at Nor- Amberd
On the slopes of Mt. Aragats in the vicinity of the Nor- Amberd International Research and Conference center a garden is devoted to Robert Apkarian, founder and director of Emory’s Integrated Microscopy and Microanalytical Facility who passed on February 2005 in a motorbike accident. Robert Apkarian, who is recognized worldwide for developing methods now considered essential to the field and is responsible for forming Armenia’s first microscopy society, was awarded the Recognition of Service Award by the Microscopy Society of America and was selected to be an honorary doctorate at the Armenian National Academy of Sciences.
After Apkarian’s death his wife Juliette Apkarian, Emory Associate Professor of Russian Studies, made donations to the Armenian tree project, a nongovernmental organization that aims to repopulate the Armenia’s forests after having undergone massive deforestation during the energy crisis. Contemplating Apkarian’s love of mountains and his commitment to the Armenian science the project society suggested that an entire forest should be dedicated to him on the slopes of Mt. Aragats at territory of the Nor- Amberd research station of Yerevan Physics Institute.
On October 22, 2006 at the dedication ceremony in honor of R. Apkarian the first tree, a maple, was planted by J.Apkarian.
Emory Associate Professor Juliette Apkarian plants the first tree in honor of her husband during the dedication ceremony.
The forest, covering the slopes around the Nor- Amberd, ultimately includes five hundred decorative and fruit-bearing trees.