The prominent scientist and academic Sergio Lavandero was elected president of the Chilean Academy of Sciences for a period 2025-2027. This fact marks a milestone in the country's scientific community.

The 2022 National Natural Sciences Award and Director of the Advanced Center for Chronic Diseases (ACCDiS ) will lead this prestigious institution with a vision focused on strengthening scientific research and the training of new talents in Chile.

"It is an honor and a great responsibility to take on this challenge. Our priority will be to promote science as an engine of development for the country, promote interdisciplinary collaboration and bring research closer to citizens," said Lavandero upon being elected to the position.

Dr. Lavandero succeeds Dr. Cecilia Hidalgo, who presided over the Academy between 2019 and 2024 and left an important legacy by being the first woman to receive the National Prize for Natural Sciences (2006). Her management stood out for promoting gender equality and strengthening the international ties of the academy.

The new board of directors of the Chilean Academy of Sciences will be made up of: Sergio Lavandero, president; Dora Altbir, First Vice-President; Alexis Kalergi, second vice president and Rosalba Lagos, Prosecretary.

A leader with global impact in cardiovascular research

Dr. Lavandero, full professor at the University of Chile and assistant professor in the Division of Cardiology at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center (Dallas, USA) He is internationally recognized for his contributions that have contributed to the discovery of new mechanisms in the genesis and development of cardiovascular diseases, describing new ideas, concepts, Cellular mechanisms and processes that occur in their genesis and development, as well as new therapeutic targets for its treatment. His research has established him as one of the most influential scientists in Chile, with more than 336 articles published in indexed journals, Book and patent chapters. Its bibliometric indicators according to Google Scholar and ISI Web Science are: H-indices: 84 and 69; Number of citations: 38,362 and 24.054, respectively.

On the other hand, Professor Lavandero stands out for his formative work, having guided more than 225 researchers at various stages of their careers. In 2022 he received the National Prize for Natural Sciences and in 2023 he was recognized among the three most cited scientists in the country in biology and biochemistry, According to the Research.com ranking, reaffirming its leadership in the academic community.

A career at the service of science and education

The new president of the Chilean Academy of Sciences has also held important leadership roles, he was president of the Higher Council of Sciences at FONDECYT (2003-2004), president of the Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of Chile (2013-2014), and has also held positions in the university administration as Vice-Chancellor of InResearch (2012-2014), Member of the Evaluation Board (2010 and 2012), University Senator (2018-2022, 2022-2026) University of Chile, among others.

Currently, Professor Lavandero is a member of the Latin American Academy of Sciences and associate editor of the prestigious scientific journal Circulation. He is also a member of the editorial committees of high-impact international journals, as Nature Reviews in Cardiology, Physiology and Cell Death & Disease. He is also a Fellow of the International Society for Heart Research and the International Union for Physiological Sciences (IUPS) Academy and member of the scientific advisory committee of the International Society of Innovation and Translational Medicine, among other important positions both nationally and internationally.

With this new stage, Professor Sergio Lavandero seeks to consolidate science as a key pillar to face the country's challenges, promoting greater investment in research and stimulating interest in science in new generations.

"Science must be at the service of society, and my commitment is to work for an inclusive academy, collaborative and with a real impact on public policies," he concluded.