Josefina Castellví facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Josefina Castellví
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Josefina Castellví Piulachs
1 July 1935 |
| Alma mater | University of Barcelona |
| Awards | Creu de Sant Jordi Award |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Oceanography |
Josefina Castellví Piulachs was born in Barcelona, Spain, on July 1, 1935. She is a famous Spanish oceanographer, biologist, and writer. An important peak in Antarctica, called Castellvi Peak, is named after her.
In 1984, Josefina became the first Spanish woman to join an international trip to Antarctica. She earned her first degree in 1957 and a PhD in biology in 1969 from the University of Barcelona. From 1960, she worked at the Institute of Marine Sciences in Barcelona. She also did research for the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC).
Josefina helped set up the Juan Carlos I Antarctic Base on Livingston Island. She was the main oceanographer there from 1989 to 1997. She also led Spain's National Program of Antarctic Research. Josefina has received many important awards, like the Gold Medal of the Generalitat of Catalonia.
Contents
A Life of Discovery: Josefina Castellví's Journey
Early Life and Education
Josefina Castellví was born in Barcelona. Her father was a doctor, and her mother was a housewife. She grew up during a difficult time in Spain, just before the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939).
She went to the Montserrat Institute for her studies. In 1957, at age 22, she graduated from the University of Barcelona with a degree in biology. Only two people finished that degree that year, including Josefina.
In 1960, Josefina went to France to study oceanography at the Sorbonne. She earned her PhD in science from the University of Barcelona in 1969.
Starting Her Career in Oceanography
After her studies, Josefina began working at the Institute of Marine Sciences in 1960. This institute was part of the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC). She also took part in her first oceanographic trips on French ships.
At first, Spain did not have its own research ships. So, Josefina did her research in the laboratory. In 1971, Spain got its first oceanographic vessel. This allowed Josefina to study the ocean directly. She could see how living things behaved in sea currents.
Pioneering in Antarctica
In 1984, Josefina Castellví made history. She became the first Spanish woman to join an international trip to Antarctica. She played a big part in the research during these trips.
In 1987, Josefina, along with Antoni Ballester and seven others, set up Spain's first base in Antarctica. They built it on Livingston Island and named it Juan Carlos I. This base helped Spain join the Antarctic Treaty System in 1988.
From 1989 to 1993, Josefina was the chief director of the Juan Carlos I Antarctic Base. She was 52 years old when she directed the base. About 12 people lived there for four months each year.
Josefina found Antarctica to be an amazing "natural laboratory." She said that the ice holds billions of years of Earth's history. Studying it helps us understand our planet's past.
Later Career and Retirement
In 1995, Josefina returned to Barcelona. She became the director of the Institute of Marine Sciences. Throughout her career, she shared her findings through talks and books. One of her books, published in 1996, is called I Have lived in Antarctica.
Even after retiring in 2000, Josefina Castellví stayed active. She continued to work with the Advisory Council for Sustainable Development of Catalonia. She also gives talks about her time in Antarctica. She explains that Antarctica is perfect for studying how living things adapt to harsh conditions.
Josefina Castellví is known as the first Catalan and Spanish female oceanographer. She has received many awards for her research. She especially values the Gold Medal of the Generalitat of Catalonia (1994) and the Creu de Sant Jordi (2003). These awards show the respect from her city and country.
Works and Publications
Josefina Castellví has written many books and more than 70 scientific articles. She has also led various international groups focused on oceans and Antarctica.
Books by Josefina Castellví
- 1967: Ecología marina (Marine Ecology)
- 1996: Yo he vivido en la Antártida (I Have Lived in Antarctica): This book tells her own story of working in Antarctica. She explains how she led the Spanish Antarctic base for four seasons. She was the first Spanish woman to lead research on the continent. The book also shares fun stories, especially about Antoni Ballester, who was a pioneer in Spanish Antarctic research.
- 2005: El Paper que juguen els oceans en l'equilibri del planeta Terra (The Role of Oceans in Earth's Balance): This book, written in Catalan, discusses the effects of climate change and how the planet's environment has changed over time.
Scientific Articles
- 1963: Pigmentos de la diatomea marina Skeletonema costatum (Grev.) en su dependencia de los factores ambientales y de la dinámica de las poblaciones
- 1964: Un sencillo experimento para demostrar la influencia de la concentración de elementos nutritivos sobre la calidad de los pigmentos de las algas
- 1981: Aspectos microbiológicos del estudio oceanográfico de la plataforma continental. I. Planteamiento general
- 1990: La investigación en la Antártida (Research in Antarctica)
- 1997: ¿Por qué la Antártida atrae a los investigadores científicos? (Why Does Antarctica Attract Scientists?)
- 1999: La Antártida (Antarctica)
- 2002: Españoles en la Antártida (Spaniards in Antarctica)
- 2007: De cómo España abrió su ruta a la investigación antártica (How Spain Opened Its Path to Antarctic Research)
- 2014: El musclo i el seu entorn ambiental
- 2015: Fascinación por la Naturaleza (Fascination with Nature)
Documentary Film: The Ice Memories
In 2014, for the 25th anniversary of the Spanish base, Josefina Castellví, at 77, returned to Antarctica. She went with journalists and a documentary director, Albert Solé. He directed a film called The Ice Memories.
The film shows Josefina's farewell trip from the "white continent." It honors her and three other scientists who helped Spain build its first research base there. The movie tells the story of her return to Antarctica.
The film's story begins in 1986. Four Catalan scientists, including Josefina Castellví, went to Deception Island in Antarctica. Their goal was to make Spain join the Antarctic Treaty, which happened in 1988. They also wanted to set up a base.
When the expedition leader, Dr. Antoni Ballester, became ill, Josefina Castellví took over. She managed the small facility when resources were limited. This made her the first female head of a research base in the history of international Antarctic research.
After retiring, Josefina enjoys lace bobbin and gardening. But photos and miniature penguins in her home remind her of her greatest adventure. She also found a suitcase with 30 hours of film she shot during her first years in Antarctica. Because of these memories, Josefina decided to return to Antarctica for the documentary.
The documentary was first shown on Spanish TV on May 30, 2014.
Awards and Recognitions
Josefina Castellví has received many important awards for her work.
August Pi i Sunyer Medal
The August Pi i Sunyer Medal is given by the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Barcelona. It honors a local scientist who has achieved something great. Josefina Castellví was the first woman to receive this medal in 2015.
Josefina Castellví is one of the most famous Catalan researchers in the world. She was a pioneer in Spain's Antarctic research. She also led the building of the Spanish Antarctic Base. Her scientific work in marine bacteriology has been very important. Even though she is retired, she still helps share knowledge and supports research.
Other Important Prizes
- 1994: Proèmula Prize for the female director of the year.
- 1995: Gold Medal for Scientific Merit from the City of Barcelona.
- 1996: Narcís Monturiol Medal for Scientific and Technological Merit from the Government of Catalonia.
- 1997: Lady of Goya Award from the Spanish Friends of Goya Association.
- 1998: Imhotep-Creu Blanca Foundation Prize.
- 1998: The Spanish Geographic Society's National Prize.
- 2002: The Spanish Order of Civil Merit.
- 2003: Creu de Sant Jordi Award from the Government of Catalonia.
- 2003: Nationale Swisse Environmental Award.
- 2005: Esteva Bassols Prize: "Senyora of Barcelona."
- 2013: Catalan of the year Award, voted by readers of El Peródico de Cataluña.
- 2015: August Pi i Sunyer Medal from the University of Barcelona.
Images for kids
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Josefina Castellví in 2003 receiving the decoration Cross of Saint Jordi.
See also
In Spanish: Josefina Castellví para niños
