KARACHI, March 11: Noted marine scientist and writer, and a former dean of the University of Karachi’s science faculty, Dr Nasima Tirmizi, died after protracted illness on Friday. She was 72.
The wife of a former KU vice-chancellor, Dr Masoom Ali Tirmizi and granddaughter of Deputy Nazeer Ahmad, she was buried at the campus graveyard in the night. Her funeral was attended by a number of academics and scientists.
Born in Khari Bawli, Delhi, in 1933, she migrated to Pakistan after partition along with her parents and settled in Karachi. She was conferred a DSc degree by the University of Karachi, where she remained associated with teaching and research departments and centres for a period spread over 35 years, focussing mainly on marine biology.
She represented the University of Karachi and Pakistan in various international science conferences held in the USA, the UK, Germany, Holland, Egypt, France, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia and India, besides working for a few reputed international projects.
She also authored over 150 research papers and science books, edited a number of research journals and supervised MPhil and PhD students for a considerable time.
In recognition to her scientific works, the government of Pakistan and various organizations awarded her gold medals and shields. She was among the fellows of the Pakistan Academy of Sciences, which also awarded her a gold medal.
Belonging to the limited breed of women involved in R&D and having testified to the capabilities of women and their contribution to science, she always used to mention that science did not need extraordinary physical strength, and that women could be positioned in institutions dealing with specialization.
Dr Tirmizi also contributed to Urdu newspapers and magazines and wrote for children as well. Her Urdu column “Allah Muaf Karey”, with a penname, Nasima Bint-i-Siraj, reflected the qualities and culture she inherited from her family seniors.
Soyem will be held on Sunday at her residence 12-2A/2, South Street, Phase-2, DHA, between Asr and Maghrib prayers. A condolence meeting would also be held at KU’s Zoology Department at 12noon on March 12.
