Raúl Medina receives today one of the ‘Premios Cachupín 2024’, for his valuable scientific and managerial contribution to IHCantabria

Since their origin, the “Cachupín Awards” have been a significant tribute to the people who enrich the scientific and cultural heritage of Cantabria. The recipients of the tenth edition of these awards are: Raúl Medina, Francisco González de Posada ─catedrático, honorary academician of the Royal European Academy of Doctors─, Fernando Jáuregui Campuzano ─journalist─ and Diego Botín-Sanz De Sautuola Le Chever ─regatista and winner of the Gold Medal in sailing, in the Olympic Games Paris 2024─.

During his speech at the “Premios Cachupín 2024” ceremony, Raúl Medina expressed his gratitude to the association that gave him this award, to his family and to the staff of IHCantabria, “to all the colleagues I have at the Environmental Hydraulics Institute, because I would not be here if it were not for them”. He also made a special mention to his colleague and friend, Íñigo Losada, “with whom I have been working for 35 years and we are still doing very interesting things”. In addition to being grateful, Medina said he felt very honored to be part of the distinguished group of people who have been recognized with the “Premios Cachupín”, for all that they represent, which “encourages me to continue working on what I have been doing so far”, which is to seek innovative solutions, based on science, to solve problems related to the management of coasts and socio-ecological systems associated with the integral water cycle.

Raúl Medina decided to dedicate his award to all the people who fight for the sustainable future ─in general, of the world, and in particular, of the waters─ of rivers and coasts. “Within Cantabria we have a lot to preserve: The natural park of Saja-Besaya, the bay of Santander, the Puntal, among other places. To all those who fight for the sustainability of the rivers and coasts of Cantabria, I dedicate my award,” said Raúl Medina.

“This award recognizes the leadership that Prof. Raúl Medina has exercised in the creation and management, for almost two decades, of one of the most prestigious centers in the world in his discipline. His commitment to maintaining young talent in the region and to the development of the knowledge economy in Cantabria are absolutely exemplary,” according to IHCantabria’s Director of Research, Íñigo Losada, who also received one of the “Premios Cachupín 2021”.

“Throughout the forty years that we have shared work, leisure, sorrows and joys, I have always received from Raúl friendship, affection and wisdom, not only academic but also as an example of life, for his ability to turn crises into learning opportunities,” recalls UC professor emeritus César Vidal.

“Congratulations to Raúl Medina for this well-deserved award. It is a recognition of his brilliant scientific work and his great professional contributions, solving complex coastal problems in Cantabria and the world. He is a master of masters who, with his gifts, wisdom and generosity, has trained several generations of engineers”, says Mauricio González, head of the Coastal Engineering and Management Group at IHCantabria.

“This award cannot be understood without the human value that Raúl represents and the values he transmits in everything he does. His professional career is spectacular, but his personal facet and commitment to others is even more impressive. This has allowed many researchers to grow in an environment of great projection and international leadership,” said Javier López Lara, head of the Climate Risk, Adaptation and Resilience Group.

The legacy of the ‘Premios Cachupín’

“Cachupín” is a name that appears in the first volume of the Spanish novel Don Quixote de la Mancha and honors the noble progeny born in Laredo, Cantabria. To this name refers the denomination of the “Cachupín Awards”, which honors people who are leaving an indelible mark on the cultural and scientific heritage, inside and outside Cantabria.

The “Premios Cachupín” have a long tradition in Cantabria and have been promoted, since their origin, by journalist Mariano Riego, through the magazine “Vivir en Cantabria”, which he directed until 2023. This year, “the tenth edition of these awards has been organized by the Spanish Association of Journalists, which we have recently created”, informed Mariano Riego.

More information about these awards and about Raúl Medina’s career, through this link.