Anthony Johnson remembers a "distinguised humanitarian" who was dedicated to disseminating excellent science to developing countries.
 
I am stunned and saddened by the sudden loss of my friend and colleague of nearly 20 years, Prof. Gallieno Denardo. The significance of his loss is difficult to express in words, but my fond memories of this distinguished humanitarian are easy to articulate.

I met Gallieno for the first time in 1988, when Prof. Abdus Salam, the late Nobel laureate and founding director of the ICTP, created the Edward Bouchet Abdus Salam Institute (EBASI*). Gallieno was the primary facilitator for Prof. Salam and three of the primary objectives of EBASI, which were:

• to provide a mechanism for synergistic scientific and technical collaborations between African and African-American scientists;
• to increase the technical workforce pool working in Africa today;
• to facilitate the training of PhD students from African universities.

As one of the founding members of the American Council of EBASI, I started working with Gallieno at the ICTP and found him to be one of the most gifted, visionary and compassionate of individuals, totally dedicated to disseminating excellent science to developing countries, not only in Africa but also in Asia and Latin America. What seemed to many like an insurmountable task was made agreeable and enjoyable, owing mostly to Gallieno's congenial, affable nature. I found that his remarkable energy galvanized me and countless others into supporting this noble cause.

Already an internationally recognized centre for theoretical physics, the ICTP became a mecca for scientists from developing countries to learn the latest advances in theoretical physics from the top scientists in the world. Gallieno, with his background in elementary particle physics, recognized early on that the field of optics and photonics was an exceptional vehicle to expand the scientific breadth of the ICTP to a wider audience in the developing world. As the organizer of the ICTP activities in lasers and optics since 1985, he simultaneously served as head of the the ICTP Office of External Activities (OEA) from 1989 to 1997. With the passing of Prof. Salam in 1996, Gallieno became the principal spearhead to implement Prof. Salam's mandate that the ICTP should "foster advanced studies and research, especially in developing countries". Even mandatory retirement did not sway his enthusiasm and commitment, as evidenced by Gallieno's activities as a consultant to the OEA since 1998.

The first Winter College
During his tenure with the ICTP, Gallieno organized more than 50 scientific meetings and training courses in the field of lasers, atomic and molecular physics. I remember when he organized his first conference on optics and photonics in 1985, which was entitled the Winter College on Lasers, Atomic and Molecular Physics (21 January - 22 March). The directors of this college were G Amat, T Arecchi, R Bonifacio, A Dymanus, F P Schäfer and O Svelto - all internationally recognized members of the optics community. These were extremely well organized workshops, with 60-80 students having completed or almost completed their PhD from universities in developing countries around the world. The lectures were quite comprehensive, covering the basics to the latest advances in optics and photonics. I recall Gallieno had "rock star" status among the students, who revered him for his scientific prowess as well as his charismatic personality. His attention to detail and concern for scientific excellence was nothing short of extraordinary. For nearly two decades now I've admired Gallieno because I have seen the impact that he has had on so many promising students and practising scientists all over the world. It was a pleasure to lecture in two of his early workshops, and subsequently to discuss strategies for the future of the centre.

The First Edward Bouchet International Conference on Physics and Technology, held at the ICTP on 9-11 June 1988. Standing at the extreme left is a young Denardo, who coordinated the conference. Prof. Salam is seated in the first row, sixth from left, and several of the most renowned African and African-American physicists of the decade are present. Anthony Johnson, then a young Bell Labs scientist, is seated in the first row, fifth from right.

OSA and SPIE supported ICTP colleges
I was president of the Optical Society of America (OSA) when it signed a memorandum of understanding with the ICTP to support the annual Winter Colleges at a level of $5000, and authorizing this was one of the most satisfying tasks of my term. Given the size of the budget required to run the colleges, this contribution was quite small, but to Gallieno it was priceless simply because it had the approval of the OSA. When SPIE followed with a similar memorandum of understanding the following year, Gallieno was equally delighted. Many times he and I discussed the possibility of getting support and advice from the international optics community, so in 2003 he formed the Trieste System for Optical Sciences and Applications (TSOSA) Advisory Group to promote optical sciences in the developing world. TSOSA includes representatives from SPIE, ICO, OSA, the European Optical Society, Optics Within Life Sciences, the IAEA, UNESCO and science programmes across Europe. In addition to advising the centre's leaders about programmes for the annual Winter College on Optics, TSOSA offers a vehicle for sharing centre news with the global optics community. It gave Gallieno a professional and international framework to continue his mission of offering assistance and training to young researchers from the developing world. For his efforts, Gallieno received the 2005 SPIE Educator award, a well deserved accolade that recognized his work in organizing optics and photonics schools, colleges, conferences and workshops for the past 20 years.

Denardo and Anthony Johnson at the 2004 Winter College on Optics and Photonics, where they discussed ideas for the next Winter College and the TSOSA advisory group meeting. "These discussions were always cordial and quite contemplative, and usually punctuated with one of his famously infectious laughs," said Johnson.

A tireless advocate
When Gallieno retired we still managed to keep in touch. He continued to give his time and attention to making science and engineering education accessible to grateful students in developing countries around the world. I found him to be one of the warmest and most caring individuals that I have ever met and I will never forget our friendship. The ICTP outreach programmes have lost a tireless advocate, an esteemed mentor and a benevolent leader in Prof. Gallieno Denardo. I can't imagine who could fill his very large shoes.

* EBASI was named in honour of Edward A Bouchet who, in 1876, was the first African- American and the first-known person of African descent to earn a PhD degree in physics.

Anthony M Johnson, director, Center for Advanced Studies in Photonics Research, University of Maryland Baltimore County; OSA past-president (2002).