Erica Pellón, researcher at IHCantabria awarded with the Extraordinary Doctorate Prize of the UC

“This distinction represents a great satisfaction at an academic and professional level, and a stimulus to continue contributing to the advancement of knowledge from the university environment” is how Erica Pellón describes this award for her work in the area of Engineering and Architecture and her contribution to the advancement of knowledge in coastal and environmental engineering.

The Universidad de Cantabria recognizes the young researchers distinguished with the Extraordinary Doctoral Awards at the commemorative ceremony of St. Thomas Aquinas, held in the auditorium of the Universidad de Cantabria (UC) on the afternoon of Thursday, January 22. The researcher of the Coastal Engineering and Management Group of the Environmental Hydraulics Institute of the University of Cantabria (IHCantabria) ─EricaPellón de Pablo─has been awarded with one of the Extraordinary Doctorate Prizes of 2025, in the area of Engineering and Architecture, for her thesis defended in 2023.

The Extraordinary Doctorate Prizes are honorary mentions granted by the University of Cantabria in recognition of the high level of quality of the doctoral theses of its students, in accordance with the provisions of the Doctorate Regulations. As described by the Rector of the University of Cantabria, Conchi López, at the ceremony celebrating St. Thomas, “obtaining the extraordinary doctoral award, which is only available to approximately 10% of those who obtain a doctorate each year, is the recognition of being placed among the elite of knowledge”. For this purpose, the Doctoral Commission of the University of Cantabria evaluates publications and patents associated with the doctoral thesis, attendance at conferences and participation in research projects during the pre-doctoral stage.

The doctoral thesis of researcher Erica Pellón, entitled “Nature-based solutions to accelerate beach reclamation”, analyzes two novel techniques of assisted reclamation, which allow wider beaches for tourism and coastal protection against erosion and flooding. The techniques studied are nature-friendly and provide cost-effective solutions to improve the resilience of our beaches.

“Receiving the Extraordinary Doctoral Award from the Universidad de Cantabria is an honor and a profound recognition of the effort, dedication and perseverance invested throughout the doctoral thesis. The fact that the examining board has considered that my thesis has reached the required level of excellence is a tremendous source of pride for me. This distinction represents a great satisfaction at an academic and professional level, and a stimulus to continue contributing to the advancement of knowledge from the university environment”, says Erica Pellón.

Erica Pellón de Pablo’s doctoral thesis is part of the PhD Program in Coastal Engineering, Hydrobiology and Management of Aquatic Systems of the University of Cantabria, and was directed by Mauricio González Rodríguez and Raúl Medina Santamaría. She is grateful for this award, as well as for the support of her directors and for the opportunity to carry out her doctoral thesis at IHCantabria, accompanied by numerous experts, who have undoubtedly contributed to this achievement.

This work has also been awarded with the second prize Modesto Vigueras 2024, from the Technical Association of Ports and Coasts, the most important recognition in Spain for young professionals in Port and Coastal Engineering. In addition, it has resulted in the publication of four scientific articles in high impact publications and in numerous presentations at national and international conferences.

The full content of Erica Pellón’s doctoral thesis is available at: Nature-based solutions to accelerate beach restoration

The University of Cantabria recognizes the young researchers distinguished with the Extraordinary Doctorate Awards at the commemorative ceremony of St. Thomas Aquinas, held in the auditorium of the University of Cantabria (UC).