Science Dean honored by Peruvian university

Posted by Jayme Blaschke
University News Service
August 21, 2008

Hector Flores, dean of the College of Science at Texas State University-San Marcos, has been honored by the Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos in Lima, Peru, as an Honorary Professor.

Flores, an alumnus of UNMSM, was awarded the distinction during a ceremony Aug. 12. The event took place in the oldest building on campus, a former church known as the Peruvian Sistine Chapel which dates back to the second half of the 16th century.

“I am extremely honored and humbled by this recognition from my alma mater.  This is a very emotional personal experience for me,” Flores said. “My father, now 90 years old and also a graduate of U San Marcos, was present at the ceremony.  This will be one of the most special memories of my academic career.”

Flores was recognized for his distinguished international career as a plant biologist, university faculty, graduate advisor and academic administrator.  Among other accomplishments, Flores has advised numerous foreign masters and doctoral students, several of whom have gone on to distinguished academic careers in the U.S. and abroad.

Orestes Cachay, dean of the College of Industrial Engineering at UNMSM, introduced the honorary degree, which was then formally presented by Luis Fernando Izquierdo Vasquez, president of the university.  Flores graduated in 1974 with a degree in biology and later earned his Ph.D. in biology from Yale University in 1983.  Flores has published five technical books, close to 100 technical papers in international journals and offered more than 200 seminars and presentations at international meetings from Japan to Siberia and Argentina.