Pew Charitable Trusts Announces Support for 10 Latin American Biomedical Fellows
In a concerted effort to stimulate scientific innovation, the Pew Charitable Trusts has announced a remarkable initiative: the 2025 class of the Pew Latin American Fellows Program in the Biomedical Sciences. This year, ten talented postdoctoral fellows from five diverse Latin American countries—Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, and Mexico—are beginning a transformative journey as they receive two years of funding dedicated to their research endeavors within laboratories across the United States.
These fellows will have the unique opportunity to work under the guidance of esteemed biomedical scientists, including alumni of both the Latin American fellows program and the Pew Scholars Program in the Biomedical Sciences. This mentoring aspect is crucial, as it not only fosters the growth of these researchers but also builds lasting connections in the scientific community.
Donna Frisby-Greenwood, Pew's senior vice president for Philadelphia and scientific advancement, emphasized the importance of scientific exchange and collaboration, stating, "Scientific exchange and collaboration foster new discoveries that help advance human health for all. Pew is proud to support this outstanding group of young researchers, whose pursuits will help pave the way to biomedicine's future."
A distinctive feature of this program is its commitment to nurturing home-grown talent within Latin America. Fellows who choose to return to their home countries to establish their own research laboratories will be eligible for additional funding from Pew. Notably, nearly 70% of participants in the program have opted to take this path, significantly enhancing the biomedical research landscape within their home countries.
The research topics assigned to the 2025 fellows span a wide array of challenges and innovations in the biomedical field. Examples include investigations into the evolution of brain tumors and their resistance to therapies, the role of immune cells in mitigating chronic pain during pregnancy, and the mechanisms through which the nervous system can regenerate after injury. These explorations not only highlight the fellows' curiosity and expertise but also reflect their dedication to addressing pressing health issues.
Among the distinguished fellows of the 2025 class, we find Nicolás Cumplido Salas, who will be investigating retinoic acid's role in zebrafish tail fin development at Boston College. Marycruz Flores-Flores will be exploring the significance of membrane potential in cardiac development at the University of Colorado, while Alex Inague focuses on selenium metabolism at UC Berkeley, evaluating its potential as a therapeutic target for cancer.
The illustrious group of fellows continues with Juan Ispizua, who will explore nervous system responses to injuries; María Cecilia Lira, who investigates glioblastomas' resistance to radiation; and Beatriz de Moraes, focusing on immune cell functions during pregnancy. Each fellow is set to contribute meaningfully to the existing body of knowledge and cultivate a robust community of researchers.
Speaking about the program's impact, Eva Nogales, Ph.D., a distinguished professor at UC Berkeley and chair of the program's national advisory committee, expressed enthusiasm for welcoming this cohort into the scientific community, stating, "This new group of fellows embodies the curiosity and talent driving scientific innovation today. I look forward to watching where their efforts lead."
The Pew Charitable Trusts, founded in 1948, is committed to using data-driven insights to influence and address contemporary global challenges. By fostering the careers of promising researchers such as these Latin American fellows, Pew aims to illuminate crucial issues and leverage science to create tangible progress in health and beyond. The stories of these pioneers will undoubtedly inspire future generations of scientists and contribute significantly to the universal pursuit of health advancements.
These fellows will have the unique opportunity to work under the guidance of esteemed biomedical scientists, including alumni of both the Latin American fellows program and the Pew Scholars Program in the Biomedical Sciences. This mentoring aspect is crucial, as it not only fosters the growth of these researchers but also builds lasting connections in the scientific community.
Donna Frisby-Greenwood, Pew's senior vice president for Philadelphia and scientific advancement, emphasized the importance of scientific exchange and collaboration, stating, "Scientific exchange and collaboration foster new discoveries that help advance human health for all. Pew is proud to support this outstanding group of young researchers, whose pursuits will help pave the way to biomedicine's future."
A distinctive feature of this program is its commitment to nurturing home-grown talent within Latin America. Fellows who choose to return to their home countries to establish their own research laboratories will be eligible for additional funding from Pew. Notably, nearly 70% of participants in the program have opted to take this path, significantly enhancing the biomedical research landscape within their home countries.
The research topics assigned to the 2025 fellows span a wide array of challenges and innovations in the biomedical field. Examples include investigations into the evolution of brain tumors and their resistance to therapies, the role of immune cells in mitigating chronic pain during pregnancy, and the mechanisms through which the nervous system can regenerate after injury. These explorations not only highlight the fellows' curiosity and expertise but also reflect their dedication to addressing pressing health issues.
Among the distinguished fellows of the 2025 class, we find Nicolás Cumplido Salas, who will be investigating retinoic acid's role in zebrafish tail fin development at Boston College. Marycruz Flores-Flores will be exploring the significance of membrane potential in cardiac development at the University of Colorado, while Alex Inague focuses on selenium metabolism at UC Berkeley, evaluating its potential as a therapeutic target for cancer.
The illustrious group of fellows continues with Juan Ispizua, who will explore nervous system responses to injuries; María Cecilia Lira, who investigates glioblastomas' resistance to radiation; and Beatriz de Moraes, focusing on immune cell functions during pregnancy. Each fellow is set to contribute meaningfully to the existing body of knowledge and cultivate a robust community of researchers.
Speaking about the program's impact, Eva Nogales, Ph.D., a distinguished professor at UC Berkeley and chair of the program's national advisory committee, expressed enthusiasm for welcoming this cohort into the scientific community, stating, "This new group of fellows embodies the curiosity and talent driving scientific innovation today. I look forward to watching where their efforts lead."
The Pew Charitable Trusts, founded in 1948, is committed to using data-driven insights to influence and address contemporary global challenges. By fostering the careers of promising researchers such as these Latin American fellows, Pew aims to illuminate crucial issues and leverage science to create tangible progress in health and beyond. The stories of these pioneers will undoubtedly inspire future generations of scientists and contribute significantly to the universal pursuit of health advancements.
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