Ann Chapman facts for kids

Lake Chapman in Antarctica, named in Chapman's honour

Margaret Ann Chapman (born January 14, 1937 – died May 23, 2009) was a very important scientist. She studied limnology, which is the study of freshwater lakes and rivers. Ann Chapman was one of the first women scientists from New Zealand to visit Antarctica. She was also the first woman to lead a science trip to Antarctica. A lake in Antarctica, called Lake Chapman, is named after her. She spent most of her career teaching at the University of Waikato in New Zealand.

Early Life and Education

Ann Chapman was born in Dunedin, New Zealand, on January 14, 1937. She went to high school at Southland Girls' High School and Otago Girls' High School. She earned her Masters of Science degree from the University of Otago in 1960. Her research was about tiny freshwater creatures called ostracods in New Zealand.

After that, she worked in Australia for a short time. Then, she moved to Scotland to get her PhD from the University of Glasgow. She finished her PhD in 1965. Her special research was about the tiny animals that live in a lake called Loch Lomond.

Her Amazing Career

After finishing her PhD, Ann Chapman worked at the University of Glasgow and the University of Auckland. In 1970, she became a senior lecturer at the University of Waikato. She was promoted to a higher position in 1975. She taught at the University of Waikato until she retired in 1996.

In 1971, Ann Chapman led a three-week science trip to Antarctica. This made her one of the first women to visit the continent. She was also the very first woman to lead an expedition there. Lake Chapman, located near Granite Harbour in Antarctica, is named in her honor.

Ann Chapman and another scientist, Vida Stout, started the New Zealand Limnological Society in 1967. This group is now called the New Zealand Freshwater Sciences Society. It helps scientists who study freshwater.

In 1976, she wrote a book with Maureen Lewis. It was called Guide to the freshwater Crustacea of New Zealand. This book helped people identify freshwater crustaceans. She was working on an updated version of this guide before she passed away. The new version was published in 2011.

Later Years and Legacy

Ann Chapman retired in 1996. A special meeting was held to honor her work. A science journal later published a special section about her in 1999. In this journal, people remembered Chapman as being "very relaxed." They also said she didn't worry too much about small rules. She was even willing to ignore student pranks sometimes!

In her final years, Ann Chapman faced some health problems. But she didn't let that stop her. She turned her nursing home room into an office. She kept writing, including working on the updated guide about freshwater crustaceans. She passed away in Hamilton on May 23, 2009.

In 2017, Ann Chapman was chosen as one of the Royal Society Te Apārangi's "150 women in 150 words". This project celebrates the important contributions of women to knowledge in New Zealand.

See also

In Spanish: Ann Chapman para niños