An educational event for schoolchildren and teachers in Quilimarí, Los Vilos (Coquimbo Region), marked the conclusion of the Fondef project, “Multifunctional biotechnological tool for adaptation to climate change.” This initiative was led by Dr. Claudia Ortiz Calderón, a researcher at the University of Santiago, Chile’s Faculty of Chemistry and Biology.
Cross-laminated timber (CLT), often referred to as “superwood,” is at the forefront of a new construction trend. In recent years, countries such as the United States, Canada, and several European nations have begun promoting its use in high-rise buildings. This system’s exceptional strength and stability come from its manufacturing process, which involves joining layers of wood at cross angles.
As the GWR Project approaches its final stage, scientific team leaders and members convened both in-person and virtually. The meeting served to review accomplishments, identify areas for enhancement, and consolidate lessons learned from this initiative focused on the treatment and reuse of domestic gray water, which constitutes over 60% of typical household water consumption.
A total of eleven applied research projects from the faculties of Engineering, Technology, Science, Medical Sciences, and Chemistry and Biology at the University of Santiago de Chile were awarded the Fondef IDeA I+D 2025 competition, organized by ANID. Nationwide, 129 initiatives will receive this funding.
For our institution, this result represents an 8.5% increase in awards compared to 2024, when eight proposals received funding. Institutional participation also expanded, with three to five faculties involved, while the number of applications grew from 44 to 51.
Historically, Chile’s electrical system has depended on large, distant power plants that transmit energy across long lines to urban consumers. This model, however, is now under considerable strain. The increasing adoption of renewable energies, residential solar panels, domestic batteries, and electric vehicles highlights the urgent need for modernization.
For years, green hydrogen has emerged as a leading contender for driving the global energy transition. Its ability to generate clean energy without emitting pollutants has ignited worldwide interest in decarbonizing production and energy sectors. In this context, Chile has become an international leader in developing this technology, leveraging its abundant solar and wind resources and a strong national commitment to clean energy production.
The secondary school student movement has been a key player in social mobilization processes in Latin America. However, its historical study has been marked by gaps, especially regarding the role of women. To help bridge this gap, the Dicyt 2025 project, led by academic and director of the History Department, Dr. Rolando Álvarez, in collaboration with historian Dr. Yanny Santa Cruz, proposes a comparative and gender-based look at the experiences of secondary school women’s participation in the Southern Cone between 1957 and 1976.
The Aquaculture Biotechnology Center (CBA) held an event to officially present the remodeled facilities of the Experimental Fish Unit (UEP) and celebrate the first anniversary of the Aqua Biotechnology Consortium.
The event was attended by the Center’s research and professional team, led by its director, Dr. Claudio Acuña. Also in attendance were Dr. Alberto Monsalve, Vice-Rector for Research, Innovation, and Creation at Usach; Dr. Bernardo Morales, Dean of the Faculty of Chemistry and Biology; and Geraldine Mlynarz, Director of the Aqua Biotechnology Consortium.
The National Agency for Research and Development (ANID)'s Fondecyt Regular competition, a primary source of research funding in Chile, empowers researchers to pursue high-impact projects across diverse disciplines. In its 2025 call, the University of Santiago secured funding for 31 projects across various knowledge areas, placing it fourth nationally and third among public universities.
The Center for Food Science and Technology Studies (CECTA) at the University of Santiago (USACH), a recognized leader in yeast production for the wine industry, is expanding its focus to the baking sector through a novel applied research initiative.
The Fondef IDeA R&D project, “Obtaining a strain of yeast that overproduces ergosterol for use in the production of bread supplemented with vitamin D,” is led by Dr. Eduardo Kessi-Pérez, a researcher at Cecta.