24 January. ICCROM is saddened to hear of the death of Rosa María Esbert Alemany. Rosa was a geologist, and professor of petrology and geochemistry at the University of Oviedo in Spain.

Rosa was among the first Spanish conservation scientists to apply the tools of her field to conservation problems of stone monuments. She worked on several Spanish cathedrals and historic buildings, such as the Oviedo Cathedral, studying their alteration processes.

Her scientific skills and human qualities made her an ideal teacher to young scientists investigating stone decay mechanisms, and collaborator with architects and conservator-restorers for the conservation of many important monuments.

Rosa was well known to ICCROM, having participated in several initiatives including the CURRIC project, aimed at providing educational institutions with guidelines for designing and implementing university curricula for conservation scientists. Representing the University of Oviedo, a CURRIC university partner, she was involved in each phase of the project and attended several seminars and meetings throughout Europe.

To all who knew her, Rosa will be remembered for her cheerful disposition and dedication to the field of conservation science. ICCROM wishes to express its condolences to her family and colleagues.

updated on: 24 January, 2012