Facultad de Química y Biología

Developed in the Faculty of Chemistry and Biology laboratories, a natural, liter-extract based ointment is transforming the veterinary treatment of melanoma—the most aggressive skin cancer—in horses and pets. This innovation is expected to have an international impact.

The innovative treatment was developed by academics Dr. Leonel Rojo and Dr. Claudio Acuña. Beginning in 2026, Kawell—a company dedicated to equine and pet wellness with operations in Chile and the United States—will be responsible for the international marketing and distribution of the product.

Chile is actively positioning itself as a global leader in green hydrogen production and export, a clean fuel that is essential for national decarbonization and reducing reliance on fossil fuels. 

Thanks to its vast solar and wind energy potential, Chile is well-positioned to produce green hydrogen via water electrolysis. In this process, electricity from renewable sources such as solar panels or wind turbines is used to split water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen, producing a fuel that only emits water vapor as a waste product.

Researchers from the Faculty of Chemistry and Biology successfully designed a pyridinium salt molecule that is critical for molecular electronics. The molecule's key feature is its ability to perform reversible electrical switching even when immobilized on a surface.

From elementary school through university, Dr. Carolina Candia reflects on the powerful role the public school system played in her education. Her scientific vocation was profoundly marked by her time in the Faculty of Chemistry and Biology, beginning with her undergraduate experience in Dr. Betty Matsuhiro's laboratory and continuing into her Doctorate in Chemistry at the University of Santiago, where she worked in Dr. Jorge Pavez's Surface Physical Chemistry Laboratory.

To foster international cooperation and address global health challenges between Chile and India, the event titled “Talks on Integrative Medicine: Yoga & Ayurveda: A Medical-Scientific System Originating in India for Mental and Organic Balance in Daily Life” was successfully held.

¿“Científicas” 2025: Highlighting Women in Science and Fostering STEM Diversity

On July 24, the Faculty of Chemistry and Biology at the University of Santiago, Chile, in partnership with the Science Up Consortium, inaugurated the 2025 edition of “Científicas.” This series of talks and experiences aims to highlight the role of women in science and promote vocations in STEM fields from a diversity perspective.

Lorena Jiménez
August 6

The Diploma in Artificial Intelligence Applied to Education offered by the University of Santiago is designed to provide up-to-date training on artificial intelligence, contextualized to the Chilean reality and consistent with the guiding principles of international organizations such as UNESCO and the OECD in the field of education.

Lactose, a natural carbohydrate abundant and inexpensive in mammalian milk, is a widely used sugar in the food industry. However, its high incidence of intolerance in a large part of the population limits its use. This widespread intolerance leads to global surpluses with few industrial applications and significant accumulation issues.

Driven by high international demand, Chilean fruit growing has expanded steadily in recent decades. To maintain competitiveness, the sector has adopted intensive practices like higher planting density, aggressive pruning, and heavy fertilizer use.

Unfortunately, these practices have led to an increase in phytopathogenic fungal diseases, especially those affecting fruit tree wood. Such infections weaken the trees’ structure and significantly diminish their productivity.

During the second half of June, Fernando Carranza, a doctoral student in Anthropology at Tulane University (USA), spent two weeks collaborating with Dr. Javier Echeverría, a professor in the Faculty of Chemistry and Biology at the University of Santiago, Chile.

The visit was driven by Carranza’s interest in learning advanced analytical chemistry techniques to study archaeological artifacts. Specifically, he aimed to examine those that might contain remnants of psychoactive plants used in rituals by ancient Andean Amazonian cultures.