• They shared with 400 youngsters from 71 countries, met 15 Nobel laureates in the fields of science and received recognition for their enthusiasm and creativity in the picture that they took and sent to the organizing committee before their trip.
• Felipe Recabal Rivas and Eduardo Cancino Jaque, students at the Faculty of Science, and Renato Leiva Tubino, student at the Technological Faculty, represented Universidad de Santiago at the first version of this important science meeting for youngsters worldwide.
• The three students, together with Maricarmen Castro Amaro, student at Universidad de Chile, represented Chile in the activity that, according to the surveys, exceeded expectations.
• The group was accompanied by Dr Dora Altbir Drullinsky, director of the Center for the Development of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology. She said that after the trip, “They came back highly motivated for what they are studying, aware of the impact that science may have on a country’s welfare and of the importance of personal efforts to have good results. This experience will mark them for many years, both personally and at their work in their disciplines.”

Felipe Recabal Rivas and Eduardo Cancino Jaque, students at the Faculty of Science; Renato Leiva Tubino, student at the Technological Faculty, and Maricarmen Castro Amaro, student at Universidad de Chile, were the only Chilean representatives at the first version of the World Science Conference- Israel (WSCI). They were accompanied by Dr Dora Altbir Drullinsky, director of the Center for the Development of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology.

More than 400 students from 71 countries attended the conference, and the four Chilean students fulfilled the requested tasks with enthusiasm and creativity, the abilities that this conference sought to foster.

The Chilean students received recognition for the creative picture that they took of themselves together with a moai a few days before leaving the country, showing their eagerness to participate. With this picture, they won the second place in the contest of most original photographs.

Besides, each student participated in groups made up of students from different countries and science disciplines, to promote collaborative work among scientists. Eduardo Cancino participated in a team that was recognized for its work in making one of the best posters of the conference.

Inspiration

For the students, the conference was a great experience, as “It reflected the great interest that Israel has for scientific activity, as a key part of development,” Felipe Recabal said after the trip.

He highlighted that working with international multidisciplinary teams showed him that “There is always more than one way of interpreting and analyzing a phenomenon, what makes science much more complete.”

Eduardo Cancino stressed how interesting the presentations were, particularly the ones given by researchers whose scientific-technological developments seemed “impressive to him.” “A significant factor was that they had received funding for their studies, what is very encouraging in research matters,” he said.

He added that, from his personal point of view, the experience shared by the speakers made him understand the importance of persistence and hard work. “Once, they were like us, so we have a long way of efforts and dedication to go.”

Renato Leiva highlighted the level of the organization of the conference and its goals. The conference sought “To inspire young scientists, and I feel that, at least in my case, I am now more eager to continue working in science and doing my best to contribute to my country and the world.”

He was surprised by the scientific environment in which Israel lives. “I was able to notice that young Israelis who I talked to are very eager to contribute to their country. I believe this enthusiasm should be replicated in Chile. What all Nobel laureates stressed the most (both in presentations and in conversations) was ‘Do not give up.’ I will use this message in my academic development,” he said.

For Maricarmen Castro, student at Universidad de Chile, the experience was “Out of this world!” “It put into perspective all I had thought about science since I was a girl. Listening to Nobel laureates and see how they got where they are now was very exciting and gave me a lot to learn. Effort, motivation and persistence are the key words to say ‘Eureka’ some day.”

Motivation for the future

For her part, Dr Altbir described the activity as “fantastic.” “The possibility of interacting with such renowned scientists as the 15 Nobel laureates and other scientist from different universities of Israel, plus the huge cultural diversity given by the students of 70 countries, and an environment that fostered creativity and imagination, made this conference a “once in a lifetime experience,” she said.

She added that she has been able to see that the students came back “Highly motivated for what they are studying, aware of the impact that science may have on a country’s welfare and of the importance of personal efforts to have good results. This experience will mark them for many years, both personally and at their work in their disciplines.”

The conference was held in Jerusalem and it was conceived to contribute to the cooperation and the sense of responsibility, for a better future for the new generations of scientists.

The activity was organized by the Hebrew University, the Ministry of Science and Technology and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Israel.

The Chilean delegation was supported by the Center for the Development of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (Cedenna) and the Israeli Embassy in Chile.

Translated by Marcela Contreras

• Dr Laura Almendares Calderón, professor at the Technological Faculty of Universidad de Santiago, presented her study “Development of a technology to replace prickly pear skin with a peel to keep the physiological, microbiological and organoleptic properties of the fresh fruit” at the Expo Milano 2015 (Italy). Dr Almendares presented the innovation in an activity devoted to the best sustainable development practices for food security.

Dr Laura Almendares Calderón, professor at the Technological Faculty of our University, carried out a technical visit to the Expo Milano 2015 (Italy) in order to get an insight of the food situation around the world. She was able to see a wide variety of raw materials, manufactured goods, equipment and supplies exhibited by more than one hundred countries. The activity had the presence of leaders from all over the world, like President Michelle Bachelet, who opened the Chilean Pavillion.

In this context, Dr Almendares, director of the FIA-USACH Project, PYT-2012-0033, “Development of a technology to replace prickly pear skin with a peel to keep the physiological, microbiological and organoleptic properties of the fresh fruit”, presented her work at the BSDP Week.

The activity started with an exhibition of photos, porters, brochures and other information material related to this matter. The academic was able to show the results of this Chilean innovative project to people from different countries, at the Urban Center, Galleria Vittorio Emanuele, in downtown Milano, between June 10^th and 13^th.

Chile participated in the competition “Feeding Knowledge”, a program created to contribute to the permanent legacy of the Expo Milano 2015.

With that purpose in mind, a document will be generated containing policies and key recommendations to create an effective knowledge system in the food security field in the Mediterranean Region. The final version of this document will be available in September this year.

Selection of proposals

The proposals submitted by eligible candidates underwent a strict admission control by the International Selection Committee, which is responsible for the final evaluation, using nine pre-established criteria.

The proposals that did not meet one or more of the admission criteria were not considered as “Good Practices in Food Safety.”

The ones that were well evaluated officially became “participating initiatives”, like the work presented by Dr Almendares. 

Her work was included in the priority theme “Food consumption habits: diet, environment, society, economy and health.”

This theme groups all projects which objectives are focused on research activities that evaluate the impact of current diets on the environment, economy, society, culture, health and nutritional sustainability.

This was the only Chilean study presented at the activity and it was registered as ‘9712. Development of methodology to replace prickly pear skin for enriched eatable peel. Chile. 25’.

Translated by Marcela Contreras

• Dr Juan Escrig participated in the Fifth International Conference for Young Scientists and the Annual General Meeting of the Global Young Academy, held between May 25^thand 29^th, in Montebello, Canada. On the occasion, professor Escrig encouraged his peers to use all available means to disseminate their work among general public and other scientists. This conference gathers scientists from around the world, who are selected for the excellence of their science and their commitment to service. Currently, it has 200 members from 58 countries.

One of the goals of the Fifth International Conference for Young Scientists and the Annual General Meeting of the Global Young Academy (GYA), held between May 25^th and 29^th, in Montebello (Canada), was to provide an opportunity for reducing the science gap between developed and developing countries.

The activity gathers scientists from around the world, who are selected for their excellence demonstrated by their scientific achievements in their fields and their commitment to service. Currently, it has 200 members from 58 countries, representing the main regions of the planet.

GYA aims to empower and mobilize young scientists to address the principal issues they may face at their early careers. The idea is to reduce the science gap between developed and developing countries by connecting young scientists from different countries.

Besides, the organization maintains active links with international science organizations including the UN Science Advisory Board, the Global Network of Science Academies, the Global Research Council and the International Council for Science.

It publishes statements on international science policy and the research environment, what is important information for early-career researchers.

Universidad de Santiago

Universidad de Santiago was represented by Dr Juan Escrig, researcher at the Center for the Development of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (CEDENNA, in Spanish), at the Department of Physics.

According to Dr Escrig, the participants in the activity discussed that “a key challenge for researchers is the limited access to research software or scientific equipment due to the lack of funding for acquiring licences and/or new equipment.”

“This jeopardizes the quality of the research work, causes the use of pirated software and, in extreme cases, brain drain, and it is closely related to another problem: the need to improve the research environment in the institutions, something that would allow young scientists to fully develop their potential,” he adds.

He thinks that many women have not received yet the support that they require to succeed in their scientific careers.

And he also thinks that in general, institutions do not compensate the time that young scientists devote to promoting science.

Some guidance

Professor Escrig gives some guidance for young scientists at Universidad de Santiago, so that they contribute to the country development.

“The idea is that they participate in scientific education and in outreach activities at schools and universities of the country, because the benefits of science cannot be disseminated without the participation of and the communication among scientists, citizens, politicians and the media,” he says.

“Young scientists at the University should organize themselves, for example, through the INDI, the Group of Researchers for Development and Interdisciplinarity of Universidad de Santiago, because in this way, they will be in a unique position to take on roles in providing scientific advice for the country,” he adds.

“INDI scientists stand out not only for their excellent research work, but also for their commitment to bring together scientists and politicians to face the problems of the country. Also, I think that we require a mentoring network for young women scientists,” he concluded.

Translated by Marcela Contreras

·         In 1859, Charles Darwin published the book “On the Origin of Species”, where he states that invading species with a high degree of evolutionary closeness to the invaded community (phylogenetic relationship), would be less likely to become established, because “struggle for survival” would be more intense between related species. However, experiments conducted by Dr Sergio Castro, researcher at the Faculty of Chemistry and Biology and CEDENNA, have shown something different.

“Many people have accepted Darwin’s hypotheses as incontrovertible facts due to his recognized status in science. However, many of these hypotheses lie on mechanisms that have not been evaluated. This is a common situation in science development: usually the observations made are tested afterwards,” Dr Sergio A. Castro, researcher at the Laboratory of Ecology and Biodiversity of Universidad de Santiago, says.

In order to test Darwin’s hypothesis, Dr Castro and his research team developed a Fondecyt project. In this context, their paper “Evaluating Darwin’s Naturalization Hypothesis in Experimental Plant Assemblages: Phylogenetic Relationships Do Not Determine Colonization Success” was published by the renowned journal PLOS ONE, currently the largest scientific journal in the world, with a high impact factor (Q1) for its citations.

“Different species can be introduced in an area and several of them can finally establish themselves as populations, as if they were native species, without depending on human action. These are considered naturalized species. In our experiment, we observed a colonizing plant in different vegetal communities. These communities had different degrees of phylogenetic relatedness with the invading species. If Darwin was right, a trend towards the establishment of the invading species would have been recorded, depending on the evolutionary relatedness. However, after three years, we evaluated the results and they did not support Darwin’s hypothesis,” Dr Castro says.

The experiment was conducted in Batuco (a place close to Santiago) and 15 species were selected. One of them, the native lettuce Lactuca, was used as a colonizing or invading species, while the other 14, like chamomile, broad bean, arugula, among others, were used as experimental assemblage communities. With these plants, five treatments were organized according to their different phylogenetic relatedness with respect to Lactuca. They showed that colonization did not depend on phylogenetic relatedness. 

“En nuestro estudio todas las plantas pudieron convivir, independiente de sus parentescos. Por esto, los resultados manifiestan que la hipótesis de Darwin no tiene un respaldo tan sólido o por lo menos no es tan general como él lo planteaba”, indica Castro.

“In our study, all plants were able to coexist, regardless of their relatedness. Therefore, the results show that Darwin’s hypothesis does not have a strong base or, at least, the hypothesis is not as generalized as he stated,” Dr Castro says.

The researcher has also evaluated Darwin’s naturalization hypothesis by analyzing the composition of Chilean flora and introduced exotic plants. This work not only disproved the hypothesis, but it yielded opposite results.

“We found that species from other environments can be introduced in Chile’s central zone and find relatives that survive well in this climate. These relatives can provide pollinators and seed dispersers, making naturalization more likely to happen, contrary to what is expected in Darwin’s hypothesis,” he says.

Having an impact on global change

In the past few decades, people have become more interested in knowing how the different human activities affect the environment. The focal point has been climate change, passing over other factors, like introducing foreign species, flora or fauna, in other places. These factors are considered as part of global change.

“Chile is a biogeographic island. It is surrounded by a mountain chain, a desert and an ocean; therefore its flora has evolved isolated for more than 180 years. However, in the past centuries some species have been introduced that are risky to native species,” he explains.

Chile’s central zone biogeography is so particular that it is considered one of the 35 biodiversity hotspots of the world. These places are characterized by a high level of species endemism, but at the same time, their preservation is in danger as a result of human impact.

“An introduced species can produce the extinction of a native one, damaging our biodiversity. Nowadays, our variety of exotic plants is wide if compared with the variety of our native flora. But, what can we do to prevent this situation? There is little we can do in a globalization context, but we can generate diagnosis to prevent some species from entering and becoming naturalized,” Dr Castro says.

Translated by Marcela Contreras

• “Entre biología y Utopía: Semblantes Ideológicos en las Ciencias de la Vida’ is the name of the Fondecyt Initiation project led by Dr Mauricio Espósito that will allow a synergy between biomedical research, communications and their future interactions. The study will last two years and it expects to prove the importance of the relations among different disciplines.

To analyze the historical and philosophical relation between biological knowledge and its multiple political, ideological and technocratic applications: that is the goal of the Fondecyt Initiation project led by Dr Maurizio Espósito. For this purpose, the academic at the Department of Philosophy of Universidad de Santiago will review some particular cases associated to sciences of life during the 20^th and the 21^st centuries, like the development of genomics in Latin America, for example.

Dr Espósito thinks that “it is very important to understand the philosophical and political implications of biomedical research beyond preconceived criticism, superficial exaltation of science or a merely abstract debate about what is right or wrong.”

According to him, some biological disciplines were formulated since ambitious scientific policies, which principles still cross with biotechnological utopias and contemporary ideologies.

“I think that many people speak about biotechnology or technology often criticizing or glorifying technological or scientific events without really understanding them. And understanding them does not only mean knowing the technical details unique to a discipline, but also having a definite idea about the controversies, interests, concepts, institutions and ambitions of the agents under the great umbrella that we call techno-science, that involves an interdisciplinary approach,” he says.

General guidelines

In this Fondecyt Initiation project, the academic expands his research line to address different national and Latin American cases. “I need to make clear that in this project, I am not interested in criticizing scientific events or proposing philosophical morals based on science-fiction fantasies. The project seeks to link up biotechnological research with the help of the history of science and the interdisciplinary tools given by the studies on science, technology and society,” he adds.

Among the possible options to spread the project information, Dr Espósito recognizes the value of the potential debate among the different disciplines of study and he adds that different activities will be organized, in which academics and the community in general will be able to participate, discuss and think about this issues.

Translated by Marcela Contreras

• A plastic bag takes 1,000 years to break down. In light of this situation, biodegradable materials have become a good option. This is the context in which the study led by Dr Ana Carolina López Dicastillo, a member of the Center for the Development of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology of Universidad de Santiago, is being conducted. Thanks to the electrospinning technique, her research team will produce nanoparticles able to enhance the properties of biodegradable materials in order to obtain, in the long term, more eco-friendly packaging.

It is widely known that a plastic bag takes 1,000 years to break down, causing harm to the environment. Biodegradable materials are an alternative to solve this problem, because they are highly beneficial to the environment when they are adequately discarded. However, these materials do not have the same barrier and mechanical properties that petroleum-based products do, so they become fragile and highly permeable.

Thanks to the electrospinning technique, the research team will produce nanoparticles able to enhance the properties of biodegradable materials in order to obtain, in the long term, more eco-friendly packaging. The study is led by Dr Ana Carolina López Dicastillo, a member of the Center for the Development of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology of Universidad de Santiago, (Cedenna, in Spanish).

This Regular Fondecyt project, which is in its second year, seeks to improve the properties of a biodegradable material by incorporating nanoparticles produced by electrospinning to eventually use this material for food packaging. The electrospinning technique has not been frequently used in our country.

The electrospinning process allows obtaining fiber by means of the coaxial stretching of a viscoelastic solution. The diameter of the electrospun fibers ranges from microns no nanometers and they may have unique features.

Due to its interesting properties, this technique has been widely studied in the past few years for a wide variety of applications, like tissue engineering, the creation of special membranes and medical applications like dental implants and bone replacement. In this case, the project is oriented to enhance the properties of biodegradable materials for food industry applications. “Besides developing and working with nanoparticles and nanofibers, this technique allows encapsulating active compounds for their further release, what is also important in the food industry,” Dr López said.

The study seeks to enhance the essential properties of a biodegradable polymer and to create a biodegradable packaging with antioxidant and antimicrobial properties to protect food and to extend its shelf life.

Dr. López Dicastillo, who is responsible for the study, explains that “one of the expectations that we have with this work is trying to implement the concept of reducing plastic products in daily life, replacing traditional materials with biodegradable ones and the awareness of recycling and sustainability.”

She has the goal of making people aware of the problem posed by the plastic waste buildup and the need for replacing petroleum-based products with biodegradable materials, as petroleum is not a renewable resource.

“However, these (biodegradable) materials do not have the properties that the market demands yet. This is why we propose to enhance them and one of the solutions to this problem is nanotechnology. In our project, we are developing a type of nanoparticle that can make biodegradable materials properties to be similar to the ones of traditional plastic products in the market,” she said.

“We also intend to disseminate this study at different levels: from teaching children the importance of these existing biodegradable materials, emphasizing the need for recycling, to scientific conferences and presentations,” the researcher concluded.

Translated by Marcela Contreras

• The renowned Journal of Coordination Chemistry dedicated its issue 67 to Dr. Juan Costamagna, academic at the Faculty of Chemistry and Biology of Universidad de Santiago, for his contribution to the development of this journal since 2000, when he was invited to be part of the Editorial Board. The journal aims at disseminating the investigations of renowned researchers in the field of Chemistry of Coordination Compounds in countries like the United States, France, Argentina, South Africa, and Chile, among others. 

In recognition of his significant contributions to the development of the Journal of Coordination Chemistry and in the context of his retirement from the Editorial Board, the journal dedicated a special issue to Dr. Juan Costamagna, researcher at the Faculty of Chemistry and Biology of Universidad de Santiago.

The journal aims at disseminating the investigations of renowned researchers in the field of Chemistry of Coordination Compounds in countries like the United States, France, Argentina, Uruguay, South Africa, Spain, Italy, Mexico, and Chile.

Jim Atwood, who was in charge of issue 67 called “Special Issue: To honor Professor Juan Costamagna on the occasion of his retirement", highlighted in the opening pages professor Costamagna’s “valuable opinion” and his contribution over the years “with his expertise” to the development of this publication.

Atwood pointed out that Dr. Costamagna “has been a consummate collaborator and has brought his talent to the Editorial Board of this Journal; he has published over 100 papers in the field of Coordination Chemistry and has served 14 times as the Chilean delegate to the International Advisory Committee of the International Conference on Coordination Chemistry between 1974 and 2006. He was also an Advisor to the Nobel Prize of Chemistry from 1996 to 2000”. This is the background for this special issue available since December on http://www.tandfonline.com/toc/gcoo20/67/23-24.
 

Contribution to Science

The participation of Dr. Costamagna in the journal dates back to 2000, when he was appointed to the Editorial Board by the journal’s general editor.

Since then, Dr. Costamagna has contributed with countless academic evaluations and several plenary “Online Annual Meetings” of the Editorial Board. The journal has positioned itself as a model in the field of Chemistry of Coordination Compounds. “I think I have modestly contributed to this growth and development,” Dr. Costamagna said.

Regarding his plans in the editorial work, Dr. Costamagna said that he will continue working as emeritus editor for “Communications in Inorganic Synthesis”, an online journal sponsored by Universidad de Santiago.


Translated by Marcela Contreras

• During the 226^th meeting of the Electrochemical Society (ECS), the researcher at Universidad de Santiago was appointed Fellow of the 2014 ECS Class for his contribution to the progress of science and technology, his leadership in this discipline and his active membership in the ECS. He became the first active researcher in a Latin American country to be awarded this honor.
• Dr. Zagal showed himself gratified at receiving this award from this international scientific society with more than 100 years of history that has gathered together the most renowned scientists and innovators in the world. “My achievements in this field are the result of many years working with excellent colleagues and collaborators and outstanding students. This award encourages me to continue giving my students my best, with devotion and eagerness, and promoting our University research work around the world,” he said.
• This year, professor Zagal, academic at the Faculty of Chemistry and Biology, was also honored by the International Society of Electrochemistry of Europe and was a candidate for the National Award of Natural Sciences.

Scientists from all over the world met in Cancun, Mexico, to hold the 226^th version of the bi-annual meeting of the Electrochemical Society (ECS), a scientific American society founded in 1902 that gathers together more than 8 thousand 700 scientists in the field of electrochemistry.

The meeting was attended by more than 2 thousand people and included several activities, among which it is worth to mention the 2014 ECS Class Fellow award ceremony. Fifteen international scientists were appointed Fellows and one of them was Dr. José Zagal, researcher at the Faculty of Chemistry and Biology of Universidad de Santiago de Chile. He was honored for his contribution to the progress of science and technology, his leadership in the field of electrochemistry and his active membership in the ECS. He is the first active researcher in a Latin American country to be awarded this honor.

“It is very gratifying to me to be awarded this honor because our work is being recognized by an international scientific society founded and based in the United States, with more than 100 years of history and that has gathered renowned scientists and innovators in the world, like Thomas Edison, for example,” Dr. Zagal said.

According to Dr. Zagal, the honor he was awarded – that can be added to the one he received this year from the International Society of Electrochemistry of Europe-, “confirms that we are being recognized abroad,” making reference to the strong research groups in the field of electrochemistry that work at the Faculty of Chemistry and Biology of Universidad de Santiago.

“I speak in plural, because my achievements in this field are the result of many years working with excellent colleagues and collaborators and outstanding students. This award particularly encourages me to continue giving my students my best, with devotion and eagerness, and promoting our University research work around the world,” he added.

Finally, Dr. Zagal thanked the Faculty of Chemistry and Biology and Universidad de Santiago for their unconditional support during his 41 years of work at this institution.

Translated by Marcela Contreras

• Professor Alexis Aspée started a research through a Fondecyt Project to establish the damage caused by free radicals within cells. His work could have significant effects on the pharmaceutical industry, as it would determine the compounds that may turn dangerous when exposed to sunlight.

The effect of free radicals on organisms has been widely spread by the cosmetic industry. However, there is still not enough information on how free radicals behave within cells or how the damage caused by their instability -due to an unpaired electron- progress in a chain effect, destroying the cell membranes.

Free radicals are molecules that are generated in chemical reactions and have a solitary unpaired electron. This makes them unstable and highly reactive, being able to modify cell membranes by attacking genetic material, like DNA. In the cosmetic industry, free radicals are related to skin ageing, what can be repaired by means of antioxidants.

However, Dr. Alexis Aspée, researcher at the Faculty of Chemistry and Biology, explained that there are still some issues that have to be solved in relation to the behavior of free radicals while they are within cells or macromolecules and to all what they destroy in their path.

Through the Fondecyt Project nº 1140240, “Photo-induced Free Radicals and Triplet Formation in the Organization of Biological Mimetic Systems”, Dr. Aspée is generating radicals in order to follow their path through molecules and study what elements near the radical are more prone to be affected by the damage caused by the loss of an electron.

“It is still difficult to understand how free radicals behave in a protein, if they can be repaired or if the damage they cause migrates to lipids and/or amino acids. We know the eventual damage, but at intermediate stages, there are still questions regarding what free radicals produce at a biological level in their path,” he explained.

Damage migration

The project was started in March 2014 and will last four years, including three stages. “What is interesting is to see how damage evolves and migrate, in a chain-effect, ‘stealing’ an electron from the inside of molecules or proteins. If we are able to understand damage behavior, we will have the key to reduce it or stop it,” he stressed.

The results of this study could have significant effects on pharmaceutical industry, as they would determine the compounds that change their behavior when they are exposed to sunlight, “to find out if some photosensitive drugs can turn harmful,” he concluded.


Translated by Marcela Contreras

• With didactic experiments, presentations given by experts, workshops, contests and exhibitions, the 5th version of the Universidad de Santiago’s Scientific Fair was held for three days. The activity is organized by the Faculty of Chemistry and Biology and is recognized as one of the main activities for science dissemination in Chile.
• According to the fair’s coordinator, Professor Leonora Mendoza, “it is encouraging to see how the future professionals of this Faculty are committed to this initiative, in which students from many schools can be scientists for a day.”
• The recipient of the National Award of Exact Sciences 2001, Fernando Lund, who was invited to the fair, shared with visitors and expressed his admiration for “the success of the fair and the eagerness and commitment shown by the organizers.”

From a recipe for home-made tooth paste to a method for frying eggs without a fire: these are some of the experiments that called the attention of more than a thousand secondary students who visited the 5th version of the Universidad de Santiago’s Scientific Fair, between Thursday 25th and Saturday 27th of September, which is organized by the Faculty of Chemistry and Biology.

Around 600 people- students from schools of Santiago, mainly- participated every day in this fair that is recognized as one of the main activities for science dissemination in our country.

In the successful activity, the visitors, some of them with their families, were able to participate for free in experiments, contests and presentations given by experts, besides touring the laboratories of the University, where they were shown different experiences of the Faculty of Chemistry and Biology, the Faculty of Medical Sciences and the Mathematics and Electrical Engineering Departments.

“It is encouraging to see how the future professionals of this Faculty are so committed to this initiative, in which students from many schools can be scientists for a day,” the fair’s coordinator and Professor at the University, Leonora Mendoza, said.

Together with the 45 scientific experiments shown every day, presentations were given by guests like the renowned physicist Fernando Lund, recipient of the National Award of Exact Sciences 2001, who highlighted the importance of promoting scientific thinking in the country.

“I am very impressed how successful this fair is. The eagerness and commitment of the organizers are notable, so I congratulate Universidad de Santiago and the Faculty of Chemistry and Biology for this activity,” Lund said, adding that “controlling scientific thinking and knowledge allows us, human beings and societies, to be free.”

Commitment of all the faculty members

The 2014 version of the Universidad de Santiago’s Scientific Fair is the result of the commitment of more than 1,000 students, professors and staff of the Faculty of Chemistry and Biology

Aracely Flores, a student of the fourth year of the Bachelor of Science in Chemistry Program, who was in charge of organizing the activity this year, highlighted the efforts made over several months to have a successful fair.

“We had to work hard to settle ideas, find sponsors, contact exhibitors and coordinate with the authorities. But today, when we see this excellent rate of response, we are very pleased with the results of our efforts,” she said.

Together with the didactic activities developed at the campus, the third version of the contest Concurso de Proyectos Científicos Dra. Elsa Abuin was held, in which the best scientific project presented by the participant schools was selected.

The successful 5th version of the Universidad de Santiago’s Scientific Fair was sponsored by the Explora Conicyt Program, Fundación Más Ciencia, Soviquim and Fundación Más Ciencia para Chile.


Translated by Marcela Contreras

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