Dean of the Faculty of Sciences and Engineering, professor of chemistry at the Universidad San Francisco de Quito USFQ.
2016 represents for him the second CEPRA contest in which he is linked. The first one in which he participated was during the eighth call, where the first phase of the current project was developed.
The project is called Study and design of drugs through computational methods. During the first phase we carried out a series of workshops to train people in the fundamental theoretical and practical principles of computing, which allow studies on drug design to be carried out. The second phase studies the biological activity and the structure-activity relationship of the molecules that are investigated in the laboratory. Through the study, the results can be extrapolated to molecules that we do not use in the experiment, but that can be postulated in the future. They provide an impact on much more successful results.
If we have biological activity in a group of molecules, we can identify that biological activity and it seems interesting to us (it turns out to be antibacterial or antiparasitic), anyone with access to the results will be able to carry out future experiments in animals or in human cells. In the event that the molecules in question do not produce the expected results, the extrapolation of the studies will help to design molecules that do have significant biological activity and are not toxic in animals.
Access to instruments, supplies and reagents is extremely complicated, because special permits are required when the control bodies do not know the compound or ask us for documents for tax exemption, forcing us to fill out forms. In addition, since there is no direct method for bringing the supplies at the time of ordering them from the parent company, they demand 100% of the payment in advance (which guarantees that the reagent reaches the country after ninety days). In the long run, due to these inconveniences, they can be one hundred and eighty days. It is very difficult to plan six months in advance.
We have been very fortunate to be favored by the CEDIA calls. We have been able to capture significant attention from the academic community in Ecuador. We are in contact with several researchers who carry out similar studies, and who use CEDIA 's services to train and connect, specifically the CECIRA contest with which they can improve their work. We were favored with competitive funds that allowed us to buy important equipment and necessary supplies. Additionally, and this is part of what I call the CEDIA commitment, we have email from CEDIA that is used to communicate among the members of the project. Last year we were working on the HTML files to create a web portal within the CEDIA server, unfortunately we had a change of personnel and that was left halfway.
First of all, I want to congratulate CEDIA -especially Dr. Carvallo-, because I consider that they perform a very valuable service for the Ecuadorian scientific community. At this time, Red CEDIA is the only avenue for obtaining funds for the creation of science without state intervention and without restrictions on private universities. From this point of view, CEDIA provides a service that is highly appreciated by users and I believe it has been invaluable in the last ten years.
Due to funding constraints, I see that researchers are forming collaborative groups. Often, there are no agreements involved, which is essential to justify disbursements of money and involve researchers who are more concerned with the scientific production of the country. (….) The researcher seeks to work for the generation of joint knowledge, not justify the presence of an agreement. I am not saying that they are not important, but at an international level, many institutions seek to establish relationships and collaboration between peers, which, once established, give way to the signing of agreements.
What should be done is to allow researchers freedom, not restrict access to public funds to private universities. Free access to funds must be allowed in the way that CEDIA distributes its funds, that is, after presenting projects where the money is divided among researchers from several universities who aim at the same project. I think this works wonderfully, it would be very beneficial for Ecuador.
The Organic Law of Higher Education obliges institutions to consider an amount for research, which I consider a positive decision. However, it is thought that this funding is directly proportional to the result. So, the distribution of State money for research is not well structured, I think it can be improved with proper advice.
I visualize that the number of publications per institution will improve, but it is necessary to change the ideological vision towards research; Ecuador needs a national laboratory where all institutions have 24/7 access and can perform analysis, for example DNA, obtaining timely results, using all the instruments in the best way. Despite the improvement in research, the current mechanisms harm the community by forcing them to have private laboratories, which wastes resources and goes against the idea of working together.
Specifically speaking, I give the example of electron microscopes. In Quito there are four that do not work full time. I would say that there should be only one that is used to its full capacity and the money saved should be invested in other instruments. We have to improve that type of relationship, otherwise we will continue to be a developing country.
They need to have a passion, passionate about discovering the unknown. Have a lot of imagination and must want to be a long-term contribution to society.
I give scientists a warning: You are not going to become millionaires. If you think this will get you car of the year, you might as well move on to something else.
Science gives us recognition from an academic community, including trips and awards. It is better to start as soon as possible, when they find a suitable opportunity. I have had sixth semester students who are already looking for possibilities to prepare for postgraduate studies and will surely continue doing research.
A very sincere thank you to the executive director and the human team of Red CEDIA , they do an extraordinary job. I hope we can continue working together for many more years.
