During my second year as a Biology student (2004), I had the privilege of meeting Dr. Giovanni Onore, who was my professor for the Invertebrate Zoology class. After a few weeks, I became one of the many students who would arrive early to grab one of the seats at the front. Dr. Onore's vivid tales and fascinating stories about every group of insects captivated me and drew me into the fascinating world of entomology.

Aside from inspiring several generations of entomologists, and founding the biggest insect collection in the country, he has contributed immensely to the conservation of Ecuadorian forests. To learn more about his life and work, please visit http://otonga.org/.