IHCantabria pays tribute to Miguel Losada Rodríguez, who inspired generations of researchers of the coast and the sea.

The Institute of Environmental Hydraulics of the University of Cantabria(IHCantabria) regrets the death of Professor Miguel Ángel Losada Rodríguez, who is considered a “master of masters” by several generations of researchers and professionals of the coast and the sea, inside and outside Spain.

Miguel Ángel Losada Rodríguez was born in Salamanca in 1947 and died last Monday in Santander at the age of 76. “The fact that the Cantabrian Sea has fired him with a storm with a significant wave height of 9 meters and a peak period of 15 seconds is no coincidence. Miguel dedicated his life entirely to studying the sea and the coast, and a storm of these characteristics sounds like a farewell tribute,” says his brother, Íñigo Losada, who is the Research Director of IHCantabria.

As “an indisputable reference” in maritime and port engineering, in his triple facet as a teacher, researcher and designer. This is how the members of the jury of the “National Civil Engineering Award 2018” qualified Miguel A. Losada Rodríguez, who received this award in recognition of his long and fruitful professional work, for what he represented in the field of civil engineering and, specifically, -as stated in the minutes- “for the international prestige of Spanish maritime and port engineering in its technological evolution”, for having contributed innovative components worldwide.

Grandson of a teacher and son of a professor, Miguel A. Losada “was very clear from the beginning that his mission in life was to study, research, teach and, above all, to put scientific and technical knowledge at the service of society,” recalls his brother, Íñigo Losada.

“With an overwhelming personality and extraordinary intellectual capacities, Miguel always had as his teaching principle to be ahead of his time and to tackle any initiative, regardless of how complex it might seem, with tenacity and great dedication,” says researcher César Vidal Pascual, who describes the career of Miguel A. Losada Rodríguez.

In two decades at the University of Cantabria (UC), Miguel Ángel Losada left a lasting mark, because “he built the maritime engineering laboratory of the School of Civil Engineering, was director of the School, and transformed civil engineering studies with the ’82 Study Plan, a plan whose philosophy is still valid 40 years later. He founded the Oceanographic and Coastal Engineering Group (GIOC) -which he directed from 1979 to the end of 1997- and the Submarine Outfall Research Group (GESHA), which constitute the embryo or the basis of what is now IHCantabria, and trained a multitude of students who today are dedicated to coastal and port engineering”, he points out. Raúl Medina Santamaría, General Director of IHCantabria, who knew Miguel Losada as a student and friend. He is also noted for his experience as manager of the Leonardo Torres Quevedo Foundation, which was an important boost for the transfer of knowledge to public administrations and companies.

Miguel Ángel Losada Rodríguez completed his studies in Civil Engineering at the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid in 1970, where he obtained his PhD degree in 1976 and began his teaching career. He also taught at the School of Industrial Engineering at the University of the Basque Country, was a professor at the University of Cantabria, professor of Ports at the Polytechnic University of Barcelona, visiting professor at Delaware and John Hopkins (both US universities) and, since 1996, began working as a professor at the University of Granada, where he promoted and coordinated several postgraduate programs.

Among his priorities as a researcher, Miguel Losada Rodríguez placed the sustainability of the marine environment and the coastal strip within his dedication to port engineering, coastal structures, coastal and river morphodynamics, wind engineering and atmospheric morphodynamics, hydrology, reliability and risk analysis and integrated management.

He was the author of more than 450 scientific publications, directed more than 40 doctoral theses, participated in more than 300 papers presented at international and national congresses, was responsible for more than 70 research projects of the National Plan, European Programs and Regional Plans; in addition to having directed and participated in more than 250 projects, agreements and technology transfer contracts for companies and national and international administrations.

His work is especially valued in the Principality of Asturias, as most of its ports were remodeled under his guidance. One of Miguel Losada Rodríguez’s best known works is the expansion of the port of Gijón. He also left his mark on the port of Motril in Granada, the port of the city of Malaga, Almeria, Cantabria and the port of Cadiz, among other works.

His work was also very fruitful as a science communicator. As a lecturer, he gave more than 200 national and international talks and, between 2008 and 2009, he contributed to a 13-episode documentary series (called “Las Riberas del Mar Oceano”) broadcast by TVE, with the support of the Ministry of the Environment.

He was a pioneer in the formation of working groups for scientific-technical development, as well as in the execution of solutions with great scientific and professional impact, which earned him several national and international awards. The National Civil Engineering Award, admission as a Full Member of the Royal Academy of Engineering, the International Coastal Engineering Award of the American Association of Civil Engineers and the Doctorate Honoris Causa from the University of Cordoba, are just some of the awards received by Miguel A. Losada Rodriguez throughout his prolific career. “The quality and impact of his activity undoubtedly led him to the status of master of masters,” concludes César Vidal.

Acknowledgements received by Miguel A. Losada Rodríguez

2018: National Civil Engineering Award, from the Ministry of Public Works.

2017: Recognition for his contribution to Environmental Law of the SEJ-459 Group at the III International Conference on Natural Hazards, Society and Law.

2017: New Water Culture Foundation Award, Andalusia.

2014: Diplomate Enmerit of the Academy of Coastal, Ocean, Port&Navigation Engineers, American Society of Civil Engineers, USA.

2013: Member of Honor College of Environmentalists of Andalusia.

2012: University of Granada Award for Scientific Dissemination to “Las Riberas del Mar Oceano”.

2011: International Coastal Engineering Award, American Society of Civil Engineers, USA.

2010: Aguas de Mayo Award, Ecologists in Action.

2009: Career Achievement Award. Committee X Jornadas Españolas de Costas y Puertos.

2008: Andalusia Research Award Antonio de Ulloa in the field of Engineering and Architecture. Junta de Andalucía.

1990: Medal of Honor of the Colegio de Ingenieros de Caminos, Canales y Puertos.

1990: Cultural Heritge Award Europa Nostra: Oyambre Natural Area.

1987: Journalistic Award on urban planning issues 1987. Ministry of Public Works. Institute of Territory and Urban Planning.