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Scientific institutions and their achievements are built on people and their stories. In this case, Dr. César Náquira Velarde constitutes a prominent figure in Peru's public health, to which he contributed until days before his departure at 85 years of age. Dr. Náquira actively participated in the founding of the Daniel A. Carrión Institute of Tropical Medicine of the National University of San Marcos from where - through research and teaching - he has trained doctors and specialists in the field of parasitology and tropical medicine. However, his greatest contribution was in the study of Chagas disease. He also served as a public official and decision maker, as he was head of the National Institute of Health of Peru and permanent technical advisor of the Ministry of Health of Peru, in the areas of his specialty. We highlight his role as a teacher for many generations of doctors and his authority as an expert in the field of medical parasitology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]