Google Doodle celebrates the 105th Birthday of Spanish Biologist, Dr. María de los Ángeles Alvariño González

Ángeles Alvariño

Today, (October 3, 2021), is the 105th birthday, of Spanish-American professor, and marine research biologist, Dr. María de los Ángeles Alvariño González, who is widely regarded, as one of the most important Spanish scientists of all time.  

María de los Ángeles Alvariño González, was born on October 3, 1916, in Serantes, a small coastal town, in northern Spain’s Galician coast. Ángeles Alvariño’s love of natural history, began with her father’s library, and deepened, as she pursued coastline oceanography research. Although the Spanish Institute of Oceanography (IEO), only accepted men at the time, Ángeles Alvariño’s university work, impressed the organization, that they appointed her as a marine biologist, in 1952. 

At IEO’s Vigo Oceanographic Center, she began her pioneering research on zooplankton, tiny organisms, that serve as the foundation of the oceanic food chain, and identified some species to be the best indicators of ocean health. In 1953, the British Council, awarded Ángeles Alvariño, a fellowship, that resulted in, her becoming the first woman, to work as a scientist aboard a British research vessel. Following several expeditions, she furthered her studies in the U.S., where she retired, as one of the world’s most prestigious marine biologists, in 1987.    

In addition to Ángeles Alvariño’s rigorous research, including the discovery of 22 new species of zooplankton, and the publication of over 100 scientific papers, she held professorships in Brazil, the U.S., and Mexico. Today, a modern research vessel in IEO’s fleet, bears her name.   

Happy birthday, Dr. María de los Ángeles Alvariño González!