More than 150 students from the Faculty of Medical Sciences of the University of Santiago de Chile (USACH) participated in the inaugural talk of the "XXVII National Scientific Conference of Medical Sciences Students USACH 2024" and the "XVIII Educational Material Fair". The conference, Entitled "Translational Research in Chronic Diseases –  Pathogenesis and Biomarkers in Gastric Cancer     ”, was offered by Dr. Alejandro Corvalan, Deputy Director of the Advanced Center for Chronic Diseases (ACCDiS ) and academic of the Faculty of Medicine of the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile.

During his presentation, Dr. Corvalán addressed the advances and challenges in the study of chronic diseases, with a special focus on gastric cancer, Highlighting:

• Hereditary gastric cancer and its impact on the creation of public health programs.
• The contributions of endoscopy campaigns related to the diagnosis of the bacterium Helicobacter pylori.
• The investigation of the virus Epstein-Barr, which has a high frequency as a subgroup of gastric cancer in Latin America, especially in Chile.
• The role of microRNAs and other non-coding genes as biomarkers for non-invasive detection in gastric cancer.     

Dr. Corvalán highlighted the importance of involving students in science, "I loved seeing so many students interested in the talk. If we don't work to excite future generations, We have no future in research. We need professionals who combine clinical and research and this type of activity is fundamental in the faculties of Medical Sciences     .”

Also, highlighted ACCDiS's commitment to the development of young researchers, reflected in the 18 postdocs who are developing their studies, during this last year, The Center.

The event was also attended by authorities of the USACH, including the Dean of the Faculty of Medical Sciences, Alejandro Guajardo, who stressed that "the production of knowledge is transversal. As a faculty, we seek to strengthen and expand the development of research from all actors, including students".

This participation reinforces ACCDiS' commitment to the dissemination of knowledge and the training of new generations, building bridges between science and society to address the challenges of chronic diseases in Chile and Latin America.