Drs. Adalberto Val (Dal) and Vera Maria Fonseca de Almeida-Val (Vera) presented a plaque to the Department of Zoology commemorating the 35-year relationship between the department and the National Institute for Research of the Amazon’s (INPA) Laboratory for Ecophysiology and Molecular Evolution (LEEM). Dal and Vera were visiting researchers in the Department of Zoology with Drs. David Randall and Peter Hochachka, respectively, from 1991-1993. After returning to INPA, they developed a large and very successful research program on the biodiversity, physiology and biochemistry of fishes of the Amazon that was greatly influenced by both David and Peter's friendship and mentorship. Since that time, they have hosted many fish biologists over the years, including multiple visits by David and Peter while they were alive, as well as Colin Brauner, Jeff Richards, Trish Schulte and Chris Wood and their graduate students, who continue to visit. In their remarks they commented upon how much their time in the Department of Zoology in particular, and associated relationships more generally, have influenced both their personal and professional lives for which they are forever grateful.