Honduran scientists are influencing science and technology in the world

SAN PEDRO SULA.

Invest in science and technology has never played such a prominent role as it is today, characterized by external events that have exposed the system’s shortcomings and weaknesses, as well as its potential to bridge gaps.

Two of the Honduran scientists most outstanding overseas sir Salvador Moncada and Maria Elena Bottazzi coincided during a conference organized by the National Autonomous University of Honduras (Unah), that in order to get the country out of the conditions it is in, it is necessary to invest in science and technology, create conditions and change the economic and social model.

further – Obvious challenges from the Covid pandemic. Distance education has not been feasible, especially in areas where access to internet technology and services is low. – The possibility that brain leaks will continue. Analysts believe that the current state that Latin American countries are going through opens up the possibility of an increase in migration. – Efforts to disclose valuable information. Both public and private universities have held virtual conferences with some of the most renowned researchers.

In his participation, Moncada said that one of the problems of this Latin America, and immediately from Honduras, that in scientific research and technological development is less than 0.1% of the gross national product (GDP), which is equivalent to about 232 million lempiras.

The scientist recalled a program he proposed four decades ago that stated that if four excellent students were awarded a scholarship abroad, “at this point, Honduras would have 160 scientists help the country and not get the brain drain it has now because the required scientific structure does not exist ”.

Within Honduras. Other outstanding professionals have developed their careers in the country and contributed to scientific research and academia.

Moncada said that “all of us who are preparing abroad initially wanted to develop in Honduras, but when you return that is impossible because there are no working conditions, there is no scientific structure besides personal development ”.

For the scientific researcher, Latin America In general, it should copy the example of the Asian tigers – South Korea, Taiwan, Singapore and Hong Kong – who, due to heavy investment in science, technology, education and job creation, are major economic powers today .

Bottazzi shared a similar view when he said that getting out of the current backlog depends on speeding up scientific research.

The scientist said that the economic sectors in this area are not providing what is needed. “If this continues, governments and academia will not be able to make the necessary start.”

A report from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) revealed that between 2015 and 2017, more than 62,000 Hondurans with a high level of education emigrated to other countries, a situation that hinders the development of the country, specialists warn.

The migration of professionals with a tertiary education has become a structural and permanent problem.

56.5 million lempiras are the funds allocated to the Honduran Institute of Science, Technology and Innovation (Ihcieti) in the general budget for the 2021 fiscal year.

The study of Ocde stated that the lack of opportunities, low wages and the small number of spaces available for young people to work in their field have caused frustration among the new generations.

The climate is added to this insecurity and violence that has hit the country, leaving young adults feeling disappointed, scared, frustrated and tired.

Dedication

Research by Honduran professionals has been a benchmark for deepening sensitive issues.

In the 1990s, the microbiologist arrived Anabelle Ferrera was a pioneer in the country in developing studies of the molecular microbiology of the human papillomavirus (HPV) and its association with the development of cervical cancer, which it developed in collaboration with Dr. Willem Melchers, from the Radboud University Medical Center (RUMC), Nijmegen, The Netherlands.

For more than 25 years, the professional has published several studies on HPV, which is considered the leading cause of death in women in Honduras.

The microbiologist also excels in a similar field Yensi Flores Bueso, graduated in Biology from Unah and with a master’s degree in Molecular Biology with Bioinnovation in Ireland.

Among other things, the doctor received an award in Ireland for her contribution to the early detection of dengue through a study of mosquito-borne diseases.

In the University College Cork, in Ireland, Flores Bueso developed a study aimed at improving the delivery of non-invasive bacteria for the treatment of various types of cancer, such as lung, ovarian, breast, prostate and pancreas.

0.1% investments in relation to GDP. Specialized organizations recommend that governments invest at least 2% of GDP in science and technology, but in Honduras it is barely 0.1%

Other branches

In Honduras in urban areas, only 16 in 100 people have access to a computer; while in rural areas, where the largest population is children, only 1.9%, according to research from the Change.

Despite the obvious challenges, there are many stories of Hondurans who have managed to overcome them and position themselves as benchmarks in their field.

Such is the case with the graduate chemical engineer Physics of the Unah and a degree in mathematics in pedagogy, Josué Molina Rodríguez, originally from Río Arriba, a village in Trujillo that had no drinking water or electricity during his childhood.

In his professional career he has specialized in particle physics.

The international community is also involved in technology Jose Cerrato, a graduate of Civil Engineering in the Autonomous Region and with a master’s degree in Environmental Engineering from Virginia Tech, where he also obtained his first PhD in Engineering Philosophy and his thesis presented Biogeochemical cycle of manganese in drinking water systems.

The Journal of the Royal Society of Chemistry In his 2016 Emerging Researchers section, he was recognized as “the best and brightest among scientists starting their careers around the world”. The award-winning document was entitled Forest Fires and the Chemistry of Water: Effect of Metals Associated with Wood Ash.

3 facts about the brain drain 1- Mexico tops the list. Mexico has become the country in Latin America where a greater number of highly educated citizens are migrating to other countries, the OECD reveals. 2- Nearly a million. According to the study, 866,000 Mexicans emigrated between 2015 and 2017, including scientists, technicians and highly qualified personnel. 3- Leaks by country. Mexico is followed by Colombia (364,000), Cuba (345,000), Jamaica (271,000), Brazil (266,000), Peru (251,000), Argentina (222,000) and Venezuela (199,000).

Another professional graduate from Unah is Karla Mossi, a mechanical engineer with a master’s and doctoral degree in mechanical engineering from Old Dominion University in Virginia.

She is currently director of the Graduate Program Virginia Commonwealth University in the Department of Mechanical Engineering and Nuclear Technology, where he manages all aspects of the master’s and doctoral programs.

He has five years of industry experience as director of research and development for a private company before joining VCU University in 2001.

Mossi is in charge of the Intelligent Materials Laboratory, and his research focuses on renewable energy and has published more than 40 articles in the field and under his direction several students have completed doctorates and masters.

Likewise Walter Martínez, born and raised in San Pedro Sula, and with more than 25 years of experience in information technology and 18 years of experience as a university professor of engineering. He worked on multi-phase projects recommending, purchasing, installing and configuring software and hardware, including servers to help others solve problems at all levels.

He has experience in various areas of robotics, microprocessor programming, electronics and controls, including 3D printing, mechanical and electronic design, laser cutting and materials. He worked as a consultant creating robots used in television shows such as RobotWars, BattleBots, Robotics and SteelConflict.

Five recognized professionals: