Dr. Cristina Villamar, a researcher in the Department of Civil Engineering, was awarded a prestigious Fondecyt Regular 2026 grant. Her winning proposal, "Study of phage-based biocontrol of antibiotic-resistant bacterial pathogens originating from wastewater treated with nature-based solutions," aims to develop eco-friendly alternatives for water disinfection and environmental safety.
This research comes at a critical time as rising antibiotic resistance threatens both human health and local ecosystems. Finding natural, sustainable water treatment solutions is essential to mitigating these environmental and public health risks.
Through this Fondecyt Regular grant, the researcher proposes the use of bacteriophages—viruses capable of eliminating specific pathogens—as a natural mechanism for wastewater disinfection.
This nature-based solution offers a double benefit: reducing health and environmental risks while creating new opportunities for sustainable water treatment and biodiversity protection.
The project brings together key expertise, featuring Dr. Aldo Gaggero, a veterinarian and microbiologist at the University of Chile, as a collaborating researcher. Led by Dr. Villamar, the testing will take place at the Ko-Yaku Interdisciplinary Research Laboratory in Water Science and Technology, within the Department of Civil Engineering.
As Dr. Villamar explained, this grant strengthens the work she has carried out over the past eight years on waste treatment and recovery. The new project builds upon her ongoing work previously supported by past Fondecyt Regular grants, a Fondef award, and internal funding from the University of Santiago (Usach).
The Faculty of Engineering congratulates Dr. Cristina Villamar on securing this prestigious grant. Her pioneering work opens vital new pathways for sustainable water management while reinforcing the university's leadership in cutting-edge environmental research.