Christophe NEVADO: CNRS Collective Crystal
In 2018, the CNRS introduced a new award, the Cristal Collectif, which recognizes teams of engineers and technicians for their innovative or technically outstanding collaborative projects.
Nothing suggested that Christophe Nevado (Faculty of Sciences – Geosciences Laboratory) was destined to become a rock preparator. He stumbled into it by chance, and a calling was born.
Rock preparation is a rare and little-known profession within the field of geology. It involves creating rock sections 30 microns thick mounted on glass slides, by taking samples that, once processed, have a flat, polished surface. These sections are used to determine the composition of rocks and to establish their origin prior to classification.
This hands-on trade is not taught in schools.Knowledgeispassed downsolelythrough oral instruction and demonstration(the apprenticeship system). There areonly 45 fossil preparators inFrance,including two in Montpellier. This profession is practiced at universities or in research laboratories.
At the initiative of the staff, they therefore formed a national group within
a professional network, so they can discuss their experiences, the importance and rarity of their profession, and share their skills and insights regarding these specialized techniques. As surprising as it may seem,The profession is becoming more female-dominated nationwide. WithinGeosciences Montpellier and the DE TEESince they are on equal footing, Doriane shares this artisanal specialty with Christophe.
On March 12, 2019, the four members of this network’s executive committee received the Cristal Collectif, the highest honor awarded by the CNRS to technical staff working in Joint Research Units. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to them and hope that the French network of rock preparators will be able to preserve this expertise so that they can pass on this knowledge to the next generation!
=> More information about the 2018 winners:http://www.cnrs.fr/fr/cnrsinfo/cristal-collectif-du-cnrs