It takes a village to get through a period of isolation, especially at a remote base in Antarctica. From medical staff to mechanics, researchers to cooks, the 12-person winter-over crew spending nine months at Concordia research station are keeping the station running, the research going, and each other company.

Who’s who at Concordia

Credits: IPEV/PNRA/S. Guesnier

Name: Alberto Salvati (4th Antarctic expedition)
Nationality: Italian
Role: Station leader and project manager of research in atmospheric physics and meteorology
Hobbies: travelling, films, running, writing, hiking

Credits: IPEV/PNRA/S. Guesnier

Name: Andrea Ceinini (7th Antarctic expedition – 6 of them ‘traverses’)
Nationality: Italian
Role: Auto mechanic. Maintains and operates station mechanics, including the water flow and waste management systems.
Hobbies: mountains and open-air sports, alpine guide


Credits: IPEV/PNRA/S. Guesnier

Name: Bastien Prat (5th Antarctic expedition, previous 4 at French base Dumond d’Urville)
Nationality: French
Role: Electrician. Installs and manages electrical systems, alarm systems and automatic control systems
Hobbies: running, volleyball and paintball

Credits: IPEV/PNRA/S. Guesnier

Name: Camille Breant (2nd Antarctic expedition, first at French base Dumond d’Urville)
Nationality: French
Role: Glaciologist. Studies air impurities and water cycles to better understand human impact on the environment
Hobbies: yoga, Pilates, gardening, knitting, cinema

Credits: IPEV/PNRA/S. Guesnier

Name: Elisa Calmon (1st Antarctic expedition)
Nationality: French
Role: Cook. Manages the kitchen and warehouse.
Hobbies: music, reading, theatre, photography, and writing

Credits: IPEV/PNRA/S. Guesnier

Name: Ines Ollivier (2nd Antarctic expedition)
Nationality: French
Role: Glaciologist. Works on projects relating to snow, atmosphere and meteorology.
Hobbies: skiing, hiking, swimming, playing rugby, taking pictures

Credits: IPEV/PNRA/S. Guesnier

Name: Loredana Faraldi (1st Antarctic expedition)
Nationality: Italian
Role: Station MD. Takes care of crew members and manages the base’s hospital. Responsible for internal medical emergency procedures.
Hobbies: Travelling, diving, cycling, drawing, painting and cooking

Credits: IPEV/PNRA/S. Guesnier

Name: Luca Ianniello (1st Antarctic expedition)
Nationality: Italian
Role: ICT. Manages and maintains networks and systems, radio room control and satellite communications.
Hobbies: snowboarding, flying drones, playing computer science, swimming and kite surfing

Credits: IPEV/PNRA/S. Guesnier

Name: Stijn Thoolen (1st Antarctic expedition)
Nationality: Dutch
Role: ESA research MD. Facilitates studies on the effects of extreme environments on the physical and mental health of the participants in the winter expedition
Hobbies: running, music, travelling and reading

Credits: IPEV/PNRA/S. Guesnier

Name: Sylvain Guesnier (1st Antarctic expedition)
Nationality: French
Role: Central mechanic. Manages systems for generating electricity, fresh water and heating.
Hobbies: hiking, running and kite surfing

Credits: IPEV/PNRA/S. Guesnier

Name: Vivien Koutcheroff (3rd Antarctic expedition)
Nationality: French
Role: Technical leader and plumber. Coordinates the technical team, manages and maintains the water, heating and recycling plants
Hobbies: doing downhill, skiing and travelling

Credits: IPEV/PNRA/S. Guesnier

Name: Wenceslas Marie-Sainte (1st Antarctic expedition)
Nationality: French
Role: Electronics engineer working on atmospheric physics, seismology, geomagnetism and astronomy
Hobbies: going to the gym, painting, drawing, listening to music, reading science fiction books, hiking