Three scientists who do science for the health of Chile and Latin America
The Dras. Valentina Parra, Sandra Cortes and Claudia Bambs, researchers at the Advanced Center for Chronic Diseases (ACCDIS), recently they were recognized in various fields of science.
On May 31, the Chilean Academy of Sciences selected the researchers who will participate in the Frontier Science Program 2022-2024, instance that recognizes the excellence and potential of young scientists in different areas of science and urges them to link to the activities of the Academy. Among those selected is the DRA. Valentina Parra, PhD in Biochemistry and academic from the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of the Faculty of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences of the University of Chile with more than 15 years of experience in research and teaching in the fields of Biochemistry, Pharmacology, Cell Biology and Physiology.
Dr. Parra also obtained the Loreal Scholarship “For woman in Science”, and the Hermann Niemeyer Medal of the Society of Biochemistry of Chile.. Recently, she was promoted to Associate Professor at the University of Chile.
The DRA. Sandra Cortés, academic of the Department of Public Health of the Faculty of Medicine of the Pontifical University and researcher of the population study developed by ACCDIS- MAUCO was another of the researchers recognized to be part of the group of experts in Chronic Kidney Disease and that make up the Consortium for the Epidemic of Nephropathy in Central America and Mexico (CENCAM). This consortium's mission is to contribute to the generation of knowledge, and promote and facilitate activities to reduce the prevalence of Chronic Kidney Disease of unconventional origin in Central America and Mexico.
In the last 20 years in several regions of Central America a new type of Chronic Kidney Disease that is not related to diabetes has increased., Obesity, high blood pressure or age.
Finally, the Ministry of Health recently convened the first meeting of the Tobacco Control Advisory Council on World No Tobacco Day, instance that will advise, deliver evidence to develop public policies and propose legislative changes in tobacco control measures in Chile. The Dra. Claudia Bambs, head of the Department of Public Health of the PUC and researcher of the POPULATION study MAUCO integrates this new advisory board with participants from the academy, public health schools in the country, scientific societies, the National Cancer Forum and civil society organizations.
The Dra. Bambs commented in the PUC School of Medicine diary: "Tobacco use causes disease, premature deaths, disability, loss of quality of life, impoverishes families and weakens national economies. In addition, cigarette butts harm the environment and tobacco cultivation uses large amounts of toxic fertilizers and pesticides that pollute the water, causing desertification and exposing those who cultivate it to serious health damage"
For more women scientists
"It is an honor for our Center to receive this type of news and to know that more and more academics continue to leave their mark on science and public policy both in our country and abroad and abroad., at the same time, contribute to reducing the gender gap in these areas of study. Since its foundation, our Center has been committed to the formation of quality human capital and what better reward to receive these recognitions from great researchers who have already contributed to their research in chronic diseases for years. I extend my congratulations and invite more young people and women to be part of this project" said Dr.. Sergio Lavandero, Director of ACCDIS.