Santiago Grisolía dies at 99
Santiago Grisolía Garcia, born in Valencia in 1923, passed away tonight at the age of 99. He would have celebrated his centenary next January. Grisolía always felt drawn to the sea and this youthful dream steered him toward medicine and eventually molecular biology. When fears of conscription loomed, his father secretly enlisted him at a hospital in Cuenca to spare him from military service. His mother offered practical wisdom that shaped his life and choices, and she urged him to seize the opportunity to become a physician. After years spent abroad, the professor returned to Valencia, settling on Calle Severo Ochoa, close to the place of his birth which had been altered by urban expansion.
Wise maternal counsel remained a guiding force. Grisolía earned his medical degree from the University of Valencia in 1944 and completed his doctoral studies in Madrid in 1949. He then pursued further training at New York University under his mentor Severo Ochoa, where he embarked on research into carbon dioxide fixation. He recalled the voyage to the United States, noting the hardships endured on a ship that paused for profit yet carried him through during hard times for his homeland, a paradox that stayed with him throughout his career.
From the moment he began his international journey, he valued the advice of mentors and colleagues. He encouraged younger scholars to study abroad to broaden their horizons, while cautioning that time away could make a return less likely. Although he started a family in the United States, his heart remained tied to Spain. He spoke of Valencia with affection, recalling the old Porta de la Mar and the Torres de los Guardas with a sense of belonging that never left him.
As a biochemist, Grisolía earned the Prince of Asturias Award for his research contributions. He was commonly seen wearing his signature hat and leaning on a graceful walking stick, a symbol of resilience and determination that inspired colleagues and students alike. His quest to advance science brought him back to Valencia after a circuit through Kansas, Michigan, and Wisconsin, where he observed that financial support for research could unleash remarkable possibilities for discovery. In late 1976 the Institute for Cytological Research opened in Valencia, and he led it with distinction until 1992, transforming it into one of the country’s premier research centers. This era marked a period of enthusiasm and progress, buoyed by the revival of a figure as respected as the Marquess of Grisolía, a title bestowed in recognition of his scientific contributions.
Grisolía held influential roles on multiple fronts. He served as President of the Rei Jaume I Awards Foundation, chaired the UNESCO Human Genome Project Scientific Coordinating Committee, and acted as Vice-Chairman of the Prince Felipe Center Board of Trustees. He also led the Valencian Cultural Council and supported the Rei Jaume I Awards. His advisory work extended to the Generalitat Valenciana’s science and technology committee. His list of honors included the Grand Cross of the Order of Civil Health in 1984, the Grand Cross of the Order of Civil Merit in 1992, the Medal of Merit for Research and University Education in 2010, and the Grand Cross of the Order of Isabella the Catholic in 2018.
Photos and stories from his career illustrate a life dedicated to science, education, and public service. He is remembered not only for his scientific breakthroughs but also for his steadfast commitment to nurturing future generations of researchers. His legacy extends through the institutions he built, the collaborations he fostered, and the generations of students who benefited from his mentorship. Source material for this recounting reflects biographical records and public honor lists that celebrate a lifetime of achievement in Spanish science and education. Fuente: Biografía de Santiago Grisolía.