May, Valerie (c. 1915/16–)

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May, Valerie (c. 1915/16–)

Australian phycologist. Born c. 1915/16; University of Sydney, BS, 1936, MS in chemistry and botany, 1939; m. Ern Jones (University of Sydney staff member), 1940; children: 4.

Algae expert, began work for Commonwealth Scientific Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) Fisheries Division in Cronulla (1940); as a volunteer and (later) honorary custodian of cryptograms at National Herbarium of New South Wales (1960–86), studied freshwater environments and marine algae (e.g., Rhodophyta or red seaweeds) and investigated the causes of farm stock deaths due to Cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) found in water; recognized as a water quality and toxic algae expert, published many articles in Australian journals; elected honorary research associate of Royal Botanic Gardens (1987).