Dr. Álvaro Lladser assumes the role of new director and Dr. Raquel Quatrini as alternate director, marking the beginning of a new stage in the institution's trajectory.

The Centro Ciencia & Vida is part of the Basal Financing Program for Scientific Technological Centers of Excellence of the National Research and Development Agency (ANID) and has nearly 300 people, including researchers, students, professionals, and collaborators, who work on developing frontier research in various areas of biology, such as immunology, virology, microbiology, cancer, neuroscience, cell biology, computational biology, and biotechnology.

The new director, Dr. Álvaro Lladser, a biochemist and PhD in Biomedical Sciences from the Universidad de Chile, with a postdoctoral fellowship from the Karolinska Institute in Sweden, is recognized for his career in immunology and cancer immunotherapy. His research focuses on the study of T lymphocytes, the immune system cells responsible for eliminating cancer cells. In particular, Dr. Lladser studies how to help or strengthen these cells so they can eliminate cancer cells efficiently.

Dr. Raquel Quatrini, a biologist and PhD in Biotechnology, a prominent researcher in microbiology and microbial ecology who assumes the role of new alternate director, focuses on the adaptation and functionality of microorganisms in extreme environments, and her work has been key to understanding how these organisms contribute to environmental sustainability and their potential biotechnological applications.

The change in leadership is part of a consolidation and expansion phase for the Basal Center, a process that began with the move to a modern 7,000-square-meter building in partnership with the Universidad San Sebastián, strengthening its infrastructure for research and the training of advanced human capital.

Thus, the Centro Ciencia & Vida reaffirms its commitment to scientific excellence and innovation, seeking to address current challenges in science and technology to contribute to the country's development. The combination of experience and leadership from Dr. Lladser and Dr. Quatrini promises to drive new lines of research and strengthen collaborative networks both nationally and internationally, contributing to sustainable development and the well-being of society.

Outgoing authorities

The Centro Ciencia & Vida of the USS expresses its gratitude for the management carried out over the last few years by Dr. Tomás Pérez-Acle and Dr. María Soledad Matus, following the conclusion of their terms as director and alternate director at the head of the Center, respectively. Their work in recent years was fundamental to consolidating the Center as a reference institution in scientific and technological research, reaching new levels of maturity and national and international projection.

Over the coming years, Dr. Pérez-Acle, an expert in computational biology, will continue to contribute to the advancement of mathematical and computational models applied to complex biological processes. For her part, Dr. María Soledad Matus will continue to contribute to the understanding of the molecular mechanisms of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's.