Honduran scientists are influencing the science and technology of the world

SAN PEDRO SULA.

Invest in science and technology has never played such a prominent role as today, marked by external events that have highlighted the system’s shortcomings and weaknesses, as well as opportunities to cover gaps.

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

Further – Obvious challenges due to the covide pandemic Distance education has not been feasible, especially in areas with low coverage of access to internet technology and services. – The possibility of brain leakage continues. Analysts believe that the current state of Latin American countries offers 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 Latin America, and prompt from honduras, is that in scientific research and technology development less than 0.1% of the gross domestic product (GDP), which is equivalent to about 232 million lempiras.

Scientists remembered a program he proposed four decades ago, which stated that if four outstanding students receive a scholarship abroad, “at honduras would have 160 scientists helping the country not to have the brain drain it has today, because the scientific structure that is needed does not exist ”.

Into the honduras. Other outstanding professionals have developed their careers in the country, contributing to scientific research and academia.

Moncada said that “all of us who train abroad, at the beginning we wanted to develop in hondurasBut when you return it is impossible because there are no working conditions, there is no scientific structure along with personal development ”.

For the scientific researcher, Latin America In general, it must copy the example of the Asian tigers – South Korea, Taiwan, Singapore and Hong Kong – which, as a result of heavy investments in science, technology, education and job creation, are today great economic powers.

Bottazzi shared a similar view when he said that getting out of the current delay will depend on accelerating scientific research.

The scientists said that the economic sectors do not provide what is needed in this area. “If this continues, governments and academia will not be able to make the necessary take-off.”

A report to 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 creates obstacles in the country’s development, experts warn.

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

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

The study OECD said that the lack of opportunities, low salaries and the small amount of space available for young people to work in their fields of specialization have generated frustration among the new generations.

To this is added the climate of uncertainty and the violence that has affected the country, causing young adults to feel disappointed, scared, frustrated and tired.

Dedication

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

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

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

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

Among other recognitions, the doctor received an award in Ireland for his contribution to the early detection of dengue, through an investigation of mosquito-borne diseases.

Into the University College CorkIn Ireland, Flores Bueso has developed an investigation focused on improving the administration of non-invasive bacteria for the treatment of various types of cancer, such as lung, ovary, breast, prostate and pancreas.

0.1% investment in GDP. Specialized organizations recommend that governments invest at least 2% of GDP in science and technology, but in Honduras it is only 0.1%

Other branches

Into the honduras only 16 out of 100 people have access to a computer in urban areas; while in rural areas, where there is the largest population of children, only 1.9%, according to one Change.

Despite the clear challenges, there are many stories about Hondurans who have managed to overcome them and position themselves as benchmarks in their fields.

This is the case of the chemical engineer, graduate in Unah’s physics and graduated in mathematics in pedagogy, Josué Molina Rodríguez, originally from Río Arriba, a village in Trujillo, which as a child had no drinking water or electricity.

In his professional career he specialized in the field of particle physics.

Also in the field of engineering, the international community has improved its work Jose Cerrato, graduated in civil engineering in the autonomous region and with a master’s degree in environmental engineering from Virginia Tech, where he also obtained his first doctorate in engineering philosophy and presented his thesis The biogeochemical cycle of manganese in drinking water systems.

Journal of the Royal Society of Chemistry In its 2016 section of emerging researchers, it was recognized as “the best and brightest of scientists starting their careers around the world”, the award-winning document was entitled “Forest fires and water chemistry: the effect of metals associated with wood ash.

3 facts about brain drain 1- Mexico tops the list. Mexico has become the country in Latin America where a higher number of citizens with a high level of education migrate to other nations, the OECD reveals. 2- Almost a million. Between 2015 and 2017, 866,000 Mexicans emigrated, including scientists, technicians and highly qualified personnel, according to the research. 3- Leaks in countries. 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 of Unah is Karla Mossi, a mechanical engineer with a master’s and doctorate in mechanical engineering from Old Dominion University in Virginia.

He currently serves as the director of the University’s graduate program Virginia Commonwealth University in the Department of Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering, where he manages all aspects of master’s and doctoral programs.

He has five years of industrial 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 over 40 articles in the area and under his tutelage, several students have completed doctorates and master’s degrees.

Likewise, Walter Martínez, born and raised in San Pedro Sula, and with more than 25 years of experience in the field of information technology and 18 years of experience as a university professor of engineering. He worked on multi-phase projects in which he recommended, purchased, installed, configured software and hardware, including servers, to help others solve problems at all levels.

He has experience in various fields 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: