Promising Latin American Biomedical Scientists Named 2010 Pew Fellows

PHILADELPHIA, PA - The Pew Charitable Trusts today named 10 gifted biomedical researchers as 2010 Pew Latin American Fellows in the Biomedical Sciences. The competitive program aims to further scientific knowledge, promote exchange and collaboration, and strengthen the research community in Latin America.  The new Fellows will be part of an elite scientific community that includes winners of the World Economic Forum's “Young Global Leaders Award,” the Pius XI Gold Medal from the Vatican and the recently elected president of the Nicaraguan Academy of Sciences.

Awardees receive support of $60,000 over two years to pursue postdoctoral training with leading researchers in top laboratories and institutions throughout the United States. Following their fellowship, the program provides an additional $35,000 for each fellow to purchase equipment and supplies as they establish their own laboratory in their home country. Since 1991, Pew has invested more than $15 million to fund nearly 200 fellows, 80 percent of whom have returned to their home countries to continue their research careers.

“I am exceptionally impressed by the talent, accomplishments and potential of this year's recipients,” said Rebecca W. Rimel, president and chief executive officer of The Pew Charitable Trusts. “The quest for scientific advancement and innovation is truly a global pursuit. Pew's Latin American Fellows Program promotes dialogue and fosters collaboration across nations. We are honored to play a part in the intellectual development of these outstanding scientists who are poised to be leaders at the forefront of discovery to improve human health.”

Now in its 20th year, the Pew Latin American Fellows Program in the Biomedical Sciences is part of a portfolio of projects that focus on science and technology. The program is a complementary initiative of the Pew Scholars in the Biomedical Sciences Program, which provides critical flexible funding to leading U.S. scientists in the early stages of their careers.

Exemplary biomedical scientists from all Central and South American countries are invited to apply; 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 2010 Pew Latin American Fellows in the Biomedical Sciences are:

Argentina

• Ariel A. Bazzini, Ph.D.
  Laboratory of Antonio Giraldez, Ph.D.
  Yale University
  Developmental Biology 
• Rodrigo Laje, Ph.D.
  Laboratory of Dean V. Buonomano, Ph.D.
  University of California, Los Angeles
  Neuroscience
• Veronica C. Piatti, Ph.D.
  Laboratory of Jill Leutgeb, Ph.D.
  University of California, San Diego
  Neuroscience

Brazil

• Ana Paula S. Arruda, Ph.D.
  Laboratory of Gökhan S. Hotamisligil, Ph.D.
  Harvard School of Public Health
  Metabolic Disease and Obesity 
• Daniel Y. Takahashi, M.D., Ph.D.
  Laboratory of Asif A. Ghazanfar, Ph.D.
  Princeton University
  Neuroscience 

Chile

• Paola A. Haeger, Ph.D.
  Laboratory of Pablo E Castillo, Ph.D.
  Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Yeshiva University
  Neuroscience
• Gonzalo H. Olivares, Ph.D.
  Laboratory of Margaret T. Fuller, Ph.D.
  Stanford University
  Genetics and Stem Cell Biology
• Pablo A. Oteiza, D.V.M., Ph.D.
  Laboratory of Florian Engbert, Ph.D.
  Harvard University
  Neuroscience

Mexico

• José Manuel Baizabal, Ph.D.
  Laboratory of Andrew P. McMahon, Ph.D.
  Harvard University
  Developmental Biology
• Enrique Balleza, Ph.D.
  Laboratory of Philippe Cluzel, Ph.D.
  Harvard University
  Genomics and Gene Expression

Download a copy of this press release in Spanish. (PDF)