Yamina Silva

Fey Yamina Silva Vidal (born 1966 in Huánuco) is a Peruvian meteorologist She has conducted pioneering research on climate variability and the El Niño phenomenon, contributing to advances in climate prediction and variability modelling, particularly in the Peruvian Andes. Her research has enhanced scientific understanding of atmospheric processes and provided critical data to support climate change adaptation efforts. and as Director of the Geophysical Institute of Peru (Spanish: Instituto Geofísico del Perú, IGP).

Biography

Early life At the age of 12, Silva Vidal's family relocated to Lima due to increasing violence and insecurity in the Monzón Valley, which had become a focal point of terrorist activity and drug trafficking. From an early age, she showed an interest in meteorological phenomena, particularly in understanding the impact of the El Niño phenomenon on Peru. During her tenure, she conducted research on the impacts of climate variability and the retreat of Andean glaciers in Peru, with a particular emphasis on the interaction between atmospheric dynamics and the cryosphere.

Research Silva Vidal's research focuses on atmospheric and hydrospheric systems, with an emphasis on climate modelling, the projection of future climate scenarios, and the assessment of vulnerability and adaptive responses to climate change.

Awards and recognitions Silva Vidal was the first Peruvian meteorologist to earn a PhD in Physical-Mathematical Sciences, awarded by the Institute of Hydrometeorology of Russia. In 2021, the National Council for Science, Technology and Innovation (CONCYTEC) recognised her scientific career and included her in the publication Women Scientists of Peru: 24 Stories to Discover. She also served as president of the Pro-Women in Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) Committee during the 2023–2024 term.