Irene Bernasconi (29 September 1896 – 7 July 1989) was an Argentine marine biologist specializing in echinoderm research and best known for her work in the Antarctic.

Between 1937 and 1980, Bernasconi revised the taxonomy of a number of families: Pterasteridae, Luidiidae, Odontasteridae, Gonisasteridae, Ganeriidae, Asterinidae and Echinasteridae.

[1] Bernasconi was one of the first female Argentine scientists to conduct research in Antarctica after travelling there on 7 November 1968, and the first woman to lead an Antarctic expedition.

[3] She was accompanied by three other scientists - microbiologist Maria Adela Caria, marine biologist Elena Martinez Fontes and botanist Carmen Pujals.

[9] On 11 February 2022, on the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, President Alberto Fernández renamed the Hall of Scientists of the Casa Rosada as the Argentine Science Hall, with "the Four of Melchior" included in a display of honored Argentine women scientists.