Balașova Natalia

About

Natalia Balașova (1929-2013) was a renowned Moldovan biologist specializing in plant genetics and immunogenetics, and a corresponding member of the Academy of Sciences of Moldova. She graduated from the C.A. Timiryazev Agricultural Academy in Moscow in 1952 and the All-Union Institute of Plant Industry in 1957, developing her career in plant protection and agricultural genetics. She is the author of over 200 scientific works, holder of over 40 patents, and creator of three new crop varieties, being a laureate of the State Prize of the Moldavian SSR and an Emeritus Scientist. She initially worked as a scientific researcher at the Scientific Research Institute for Irrigated Agriculture and Vegetable Growing in Tiraspol (1957-1978), then as head of the laboratory in the genetics department (1978-1985) and deputy director of the Institute of Ecological Genetics of the ASM (1990-1991). Her contributions focused on the breeding and seed production of disease-resistant vegetable crops, including studies on tomato phytophthora and other pathologies, working closely with the Academy of Sciences of Moldova and regional institutions. From 1991, she served as deputy director at the Russian Scientific Research Institute of Agricultural Irrigation and Vegetable Seed Production, continuing her work in ecological genetics. Born on June 18, 1929, in Tashkent to a family of civil servants, with the maiden name Smolyaninova, Natalia Balașova passed away in 2013 in Moscow. Her career was marked by a constant dedication to Moldovan agricultural science, contributing to the development of phytosanitary protection and the genetic base of vegetable crops adapted to local conditions. Although detailed information about her personal life is limited, her legacy remains an example of excellence in the field of life sciences in the Republic of Moldova.