In Memoriam, Humberto Villarreal Colmenares

* By Antonio Garza de Yta

I met Humberto Villarreal 24 years ago when I was a newly graduated master’s student in Aquaculture from Auburn University, and he was already an established scientist at the Northwest Biological Research Center (CIBNOR). Since that moment, our lives became intertwined not only professionally, but I had the fortune of forming a deep friendship with one of the most wonderful human beings I have had the pleasure of knowing.

For those who knew him in his youth, his leadership and drive stood out from the very beginning. From his time at the Monterrey Institute of Technology (ITESM), Guaymas Campus, to obtaining his Ph.D. in Zoology from the University of Queensland in Brisbane, Australia, there was never a moment when Humberto did not excel — above all, he always worked as a team and motivated everyone around him.

Upon his return from Australia in 1987, he joined CIBNOR, an institution he helped transform into one of the most important aquaculture research centers in the continent. There, he first served as Head of Marine Biology from 1993 to 1995 at the Guaymas Unit and later as Coordinator of the Aquaculture Program during two separate periods, from 1998 to 2004 and then from 2007 to 2009, in La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico.

Over nearly 40 years, he published more than 100 scientific articles, 4 books, and 2 book chapters. He worked as an editor on 3 books and delivered more than 200 international conferences. Our friend was a great scientist, but an even better mentor. He supervised 45 undergraduate thesis and transformed the lives of at least a hundred students and professionals who saw him as a great role model. Today, his students hold important positions in industry, government, and academia, spreading his teachings across the world.

Humberto was not only a brilliant man, but also possessed great qualities — one of them being the ability to convince those around him of anything he set his mind to. One of the qualities I admire most about him was his ability to deliver an elevator pitch and explain even the most complex topics in 30 seconds. But above all, his ability to dream big. Humberto never compromised his dreams; on the contrary, he fought tirelessly to achieve them.

A testament to this was his successful creation of the BioHelis Innovation and Technology Park in 2009, which he coordinated until his passing. Without a doubt, BioHelis is one of the best aquaculture development projects I have seen on a global scale, benefiting dozens of companies, many of which are now thriving and expanding.

Humberto always sought ways to improve things, and that quality stayed with him throughout his life. He conducted significant research on optimizing production and nutrition for both the Australian red claw crayfish (Cherax quadricarinatus) and Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei). He always had the vision to integrate science with industry, advocating for good governance and ensuring the participation of all stakeholders in decision-making.

He coordinated the National Aquaculture Master Plan in Mexico in 2008, and I have no doubt that if his recommendations had been followed, Mexico would hold a far more significant position in global aquaculture.

In the World Aquaculture Society (WAS), he served as JWASl Editor, Board Director, and finally President. I had the honor of sharing this stage with him — always fighting to expand services for members, promote the internationalization of the society, and above all, ensuring that students were included in all WAS activities. His warmth and kindness immediately made him one of the most charismatic presidents the Society has ever had. We always shared the belief that WAS’s greatest wealth was its diversity, making it unique and unparalleled. His vision will be permanently remembered in the history of our beloved Society.

I fondly recall that at the WAS event in Montpellier, Humberto lent me his phone at 3 a.m. so I could connect with my family and find out the gender of my son, Patricio — whom, due to my wife’s and my deep Star Wars fandom, Uncle Humberto always called Darth.

But we did not only cross paths at WAS, but also in countless projects — some that materialized, others that remained great ideas. Our last collaboration was on the Advisory Board of Shrimp. There, as in every place he participated, he left his mark — his vision and legacy are irreplaceable.

He was not only a great scientist and an incredible friend, but also a devoted father and family man. He is survived by his wife, Berenice, and their two daughters. To them, my deepest condolences; I only hope that peace finds them soon.

As our friend Craig Browdy said, we will always remember Humberto’s smile, the wonderful dinners, and above all, his indomitable spirit. Humberto was one of those rare, irreplaceable people who came into this world to make it a better place.

The last time I saw him was when we switched trains in Denmark after one of our famously long dinners, where we “fixed” and “unfixed” the world at least twice over. We both knew we might not see each other again, and as we said goodbye, I had the privilege of telling him, “I love you, my brother.”

Today, I believe the entire global aquaculture community joins me in that moment.

Humberto — my friend, my brother, my battle companion — wherever you are, I am certain you are igniting a revolution for good, creating, dreaming, and embracing that spark of genius that only the greatest wield with such grace. Words alone are not enough to express our gratitude, but I can promise you this — we will love and remember you forever.