Under the bright spring skies of Santiago, EMBO and the Institute of Biological and Medical Engineering of UC Chile (the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile) convened closely linked events to advance scientific ties. Through a one-day forum, a two‑week PhD course and a three-day lab leadership course for principal investigators, scientists from Chile and Europe connected, forged new paths for collaborations and were trained in essential skills.
These events for scientists and concurrent discussions with policymakers reflect the aim of strengthening scientific interaction and collaborative research between Europe and Chile, a hub for the life sciences community in Latin America. In 2018, the national research agency of Chile, EMBO and EMBC have signed a cooperation agreement and continue to work together for their shared goal. The executing agency in Chile is currently the Agencia Nacional de Investigación y Desarrollo (ANID).
Connecting life scientists
On 10 October, the vibrant Chile‑EMBO Life Science Forum brought together over 120 participants and 16 invited speakers from Europe and Chile at the Manquehue Club in Santiago. Ten flash talks and nearly 30 posters sparked lively discussions. The topics spanned a wide range across the life sciences and included some of notable interest for South America such as the effects of climate change on the vegetation in the Atacama Desert, or the fauna in Patagonia and Antarctica. The participants explored opportunities for collaboration across continents at this first forum held outside Europe.
Antonia Morales Berríos, a recent BSc graduate from UC Chile, reflects: “I liked the forum in a joyful environment with a lot of knowledge exchange between people from my lab, across labs in Chile and with international speakers. It was a memorable experience, and hopefully there will be more events like this!”
Empowering the next generation
The EMBO PhD Course: Empower Your Research Journey from 13 to 24 October offered a structured programme designed to equip 30 second- and third‑year PhD students from Chile with essential skills. During the first week at the UC Chile, the students took part in workshops and hands-on sessions on mastering scientific communication and professional skills, such as writing articles and grant proposals, designing presentations, managing time and communicating effectively. The modules of the second week, which took place in a virtual classroom, covered scientific integrity, peer review, figure design and career pathways including non‑academic options. The comprehensive course was taught by EMBO Young Investigators from Europe, EMBO Global Investigators from Chile and professional trainers.
Training group leaders
In parallel with the PhD course, ten group leaders attended the interactive EMBO Lab Leadership Course for Group Leaders at UC Chile from 15 to 17 October. Through presentations, facilitated discussions and work in small groups, the participants explored leadership styles, conflict management, team motivation and delegation, amongst other topics.
Discussing the shared vision
Accompanying the events for scientists, an EMBO delegation consisting of Head of EMBO Global Activities Gerlind Wallon, Senior Programme Officer Leonor Teles-Grilo Ruivo, and EMBO Associate Members Christian González-Billault and Miguel Concha, had three meetings to discuss current and future collaborations between EMBO and Chile. They met with the Head of the Networks and Engagement Department Andrea Cibotti Ortiz, the Head of the Internationalization Unit Sharapiya Kakimova and Communications Officer Leo Bruno Guiskin Rodriguez of ANID; with the Minister of Science, Technology, Knowledge and Innovation Aldo Valle Acevedo; and with the President of the University of Chile Rosa Devés.
“The cooperation agreement with EMBO has been providing a lot of opportunities for Chilean researchers since 2018. Our science is becoming stronger, as we are able to connect internationally. This is relevant at every layer—for students and for principal investigators,” says Christian González-Billault, Deputy Director of the GERO centre and Vice President for Research and Development at the University of Chile.
Both the scientific events, which focused on networking, individual training as well as capacity building, and the discussions with policymakers reinforced the transcontinental partnership between EMBO and Chile. The momentum they have built will have positive effects for years to come.
meetings.embo.org/event/esf-chile
