Ten Scientists Named 2007 Pew Latin American Fellows in the Biomedical Sciences

Philadelphia, PA - The Pew Charitable Trusts and the University of California at San Francisco (UCSF) announced today that ten promising biomedical scientists have been named 2007 Pew Latin American Fellows in the Biomedical Sciences.  Funded by Pew through a grant to UCSF, the highly competitive fellowship program offers talented young Latin American scientists $30,000 a year for two years (supplemented by at least $5,000/year from the host institution) to obtain cutting-edge postdoctoral research training in a leading U.S. research laboratory, followed by $35,000 to set up a laboratory in the scientist's home country upon completion of his or her training. “The Pew Latin American Fellows program endorses vital collaboration, risk-taking and the promotion of knowledge,” said Rebecca W. Rimel, President and Chief Executive Officer of The Pew Charitable Trusts. “The ability of the fellows to build and enhance existing laboratories in their home countries advances basic scientific research in Latin America, and expands the number of potential sources for tomorrow's scientific breakthroughs.”
 
The Pew Latin American Fellows Program in the Biomedical Sciences was launched in 1991 to help develop a cadre of highly trained Latin American scientists who could stimulate and contribute to the growth of quality biomedical science and foster collaboration between scientists in Latin America and the U.S.  Since 1991, the Trusts has invested more than $11 million to fund more than 140 fellows, close to 80 percent of whom have returned to their home countries.  Applicants from all Central and South American countries are invited to apply, and selection is made by a distinguished national advisory committee chaired by Dr. Torsten N. Wiesel, president emeritus of Rockefeller University and a 1981 Nobel laureate in physiology or medicine.

The 2007 Pew Latin American Fellows in the Biomedical Sciences are:

Fellow and Host Laboratory
Jorge Aranda, Ph.D., Mexico Harvard University
Gloria Loretto Arriagada, Ph.D., Chile Columbia University
Angelina Morand Bianchi Bilate, Ph.D., Brazil New York University
Julio Lenin Domínguez-Ramirez, Ph.D., Mexico University of California, Berkeley
Maria Eugenia Gómez-Casati, Ph.D., Argentina Harvard University
Javier Guillermo Magadán, Ph.D., Argentina National Institutes of Health (National Institute of Child Health and Human Development)
Patricio Olguin Aguilera, Ph.D., Chile Mount Sinai School of Medicine
Sebastian Poggio, Ph.D., Mexico Yale University
Leonardo Karam Teixeira, Ph.D., Brazil Scripps Research Institute
Citlali Trueta, Ph.D., Mexico Stanford University

The Pew Charitable Trusts (www.pewtrusts.org) is driven by the power of knowledge to solve today's most challenging problems. Pew applies a rigorous, analytical approach to improve public policy, inform the public and stimulate civic life. We partner with a diverse range of donors, public and private organizations and concerned citizens who share our commitment to fact-based solutions and goal-driven investments to improve society.

ASSOCIATED REPORT:
Bios (PDF)