Facultad de Química y Biología

Driven by high international demand, Chilean fruit growing has expanded steadily in recent decades. To maintain competitiveness, the sector has adopted intensive practices like higher planting density, aggressive pruning, and heavy fertilizer use.

Unfortunately, these practices have led to an increase in phytopathogenic fungal diseases, especially those affecting fruit tree wood. Such infections weaken the trees’ structure and significantly diminish their productivity.

During the second half of June, Fernando Carranza, a doctoral student in Anthropology at Tulane University (USA), spent two weeks collaborating with Dr. Javier Echeverría, a professor in the Faculty of Chemistry and Biology at the University of Santiago, Chile.

The visit was driven by Carranza’s interest in learning advanced analytical chemistry techniques to study archaeological artifacts. Specifically, he aimed to examine those that might contain remnants of psychoactive plants used in rituals by ancient Andean Amazonian cultures.

The Chilean Academy of Sciences’ Frontier Science Program brings together outstanding researchers under the age of 40 who have demonstrated excellence in their respective disciplines and a high potential to contribute to national scientific development.

Dr. Daniel Aravena, an academic from the University of Santiago, Chile’s Faculty of Chemistry and Biology, has been chosen as one of 20 scientists who will undertake research projects, organize scientific talks, and execute national and international interdisciplinary initiatives from 2025 to 2027.

In Chile, various bodies of water, such as the Mapocho River, receive agricultural and industrial waste, including organochlorine pesticides, chemical compounds used for pest control but which accumulate in the environment and affect health and biodiversity.

In Chile, various bodies of water, such as the Mapocho River, receive agricultural and industrial waste, including organochlorine pesticides, chemical compounds used for pest control but which accumulate in the environment and affect health and biodiversity.

The Second International AlQui (Alginate-Chitosan) Workshop, held at the Faculty of Chemistry and Biology during the last week of May, brought together the public sector and scientific researchers currently working in the field.

The Second International AlQui (Alginate-Chitosan) Workshop, held at the Faculty of Chemistry and Biology during the last week of May, brought together the public sector and scientific researchers currently working in the field.

Since mid-April, Danilo Átila, a master’s student in Food Science and Technology at the Federal University of Goiás (Brazil), has been doing a research internship at the Polymer Laboratory of the Faculty of Chemistry and Biology, under the guidance of Dr. Paula Zapata, thanks to full funding from his university.

As a guest student until September, his time at Usach is part of his master’s program in Chemistry. He chose Usach due to the prestige and proven track record of both the university and the academic overseeing his work in Chile.

A severe ISAV outbreak plunged the Chilean salmon industry into crisis in 2007. With mortality rates up to 90% across hundreds of farms, 60% of operations halted production. This led to widespread layoffs and losses, directly and indirectly affecting more than 100,000 people.

Usach and Rutgers University are jointly developing an initiative to explore new therapies for Alzheimer's disease.

The research will delve into the effects of natural bioactive compounds derived from the Andean Shilajit species, a black moss found in both the Andes and Himalayas.

The funds will facilitate a two-year collaborative research effort between Dr. Leonel Rojo and Dr. Diana Roopchand.