Executive Report
May 5-6, 2024 @Penn State
The Colombian Scientific Diaspora Symposium organized by the Penn State Graduate Student Association on May 5 and 6 2024 aimed to connect Colombian scientists in the United States, promote a strategic relationship for interdisciplinary research, and build bridges of collaboration with Colombia. The scientific diaspora in the United States includes professors, researchers, and graduate students affiliated with Institutions of Higher Education and Research Institutes. According to official data in the Open Doors reports prepared by the Institute of International Education (IIE), there are 1,370 professors and researchers as of 2023. Likewise, this community is complemented by postgraduate students, who in the last 5 years have enrolled 15,800 students.
The Colombian Scientific Diaspora Symposium serves as a space to promote professional networks within the scientific diaspora of Colombians in the United States, fostering future collaborations within the Colombian research framework. Organized by the Colombian Graduate Student Community at Penn State (CGSC), the event will bring together colombian professors, researchers, and students in the United States to analyze and share knowledge on collaboratively addressing Colombia’s research challenges.
There are 4 ways to participate:
- Do you have collaborations with Colombia and would like to share the work you are doing? Register for parallel sessions.
- Are you a beneficiary of any scholarship (ICETEX, COLFUTURO, Fullbright, others)? Register as a speaker in the scholarship program session to share your experience.
- Are you interested in attending and presenting your research work? Register for the poster session. Your work does not have to be related to Colombia. You can present a poster that you have used in other spaces.
- If you just want to attend, you are welcome! Register as a general attendee and join us.
Location: The HUB-Robeson Center is the student union building, centrally located on Penn State’s main campus in University Park, Pennsylvania 16802.
1. Speaker in parallel session by geographic zone:
This session targets Colombian researchers/teachers/students in the United States with active collaborations in Colombia, serving as guides for those interested in initiating collaborations. Interested individuals will have approximately 8 minutes to present their research portfolio or projects. Accommodation will be covered for the first 25 accepted speakers residing outside State College, PA. Additional accommodation will be provided by community members.
Se cubrirá el hospedaje en hotel para los primeros 25 ponentes aceptados que vivan por fuera de State College, PA. Hospedaje adicional será ofrecido por miembros de la comunidad.
2. Speaker in scholarship program session (Fulbright, MinCiencias, Colfuturo, Icetex, other):
This session targets Colombian students in the United States who are beneficiaries of any of the mentioned scholarship programs. Speakers will have the opportunity to share their experiences about collaborations promoted through these scholarships.
3. Poster session:
Open to Colombian researchers/teachers/students in the United States in general. No active research with Colombia is required. This session will provide a space for strategic collaboration among Colombians.
You can present a poster used at another conference for this session.
4. General attendee:
This session targets Colombian researchers/teachers/students in the United States interested in attending the symposium without presenting. No active research with Colombia is required.
For any questions please contact us cgsc@gmail.com
Speakers:
Get ready to be inspired!
We’re thrilled to introduce the esteemed speakers for our upcoming conference dedicated to the scientific diaspora from Colombia.
From groundbreaking research to innovative ideas, these speakers represent the forefront of Colombian talent in the USA scientific community.
Join us as we celebrate their achievements and insights!
Carmiña Londoño
National Science Foundation (NSF)
Emeritus Deputy Division Director of the Electrical Communications and Cybersystems Division at the NSF
She holds a Ph.D. in Electro-Optics from Tufts University. Her research focused on the mathematical modeling, design, and fabrication of diffractive optical elements for optical thermalization and achromatization. She received a U.S. patent for her work in Polaroid and subsequently incorporated this technology in a consumer camera.
Mauricio Diazgranados
New York Botanic Garden
Chief Officer and Dean of the International Plant Science Center.
Chief Officer and Dean of the International Plant Science Center.
His research develops plant and fungal diversity approaches to support communities in locations and economies where nutritional, income, and biodiversity issues are of paramount importance.
Paula Caballero
Regional Managing Director for Latin America
Recognized by her extensive experience in sustainable development recognized as the “mother” of the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals. She leads a team of more than 400 staff across 9 countries, stretching from Mexico to Argentina, to deliver bold, new strategies and partnerships to conserve the world’s most biodiverse region.
Silvia Restrepo
Boyce Thompson Institute (BTI)
President
First female president and outstanding scientist, leader, innovator, and pioneering scientist in plant pathology, and connection to an international network of leaders.
She holds a Ph.D. from the University of the Sciences Pierre and Marie Currie, Paris VI, in Paris. She has extensive experience and numerous accomplishments in experimental plant science and scientific leadership.
Cristián Samper
Managing Director and Leader for Nature Solutions at the Bezos Earth Fund, where he works on the protection and restoration of nature, as well as the transformation of food systems.
He studied biology at the Universidad de Los Andes and earned his MA and PhD from Harvard University. He served as Chair of the science advisory body of the UN Convention on Biological Diversity.
Lina Patiño
National Science Foundation (NSF)
Acting Division Director of RISE (Division of Research, Innovation, and Education at NSF)
She earned her Ph.D. in Geological Sciences from Rutgers University, specializing in geochemistry and petrology of volcanic rocks.
At RISE, she works in an expansive portfolio that broadens participation, international partnerships, and innovation.
Juan Diego Velasquez de Bedout.
Assistant Director, Global Partnerships; Director for Latin American Programs & Colombia initiative.
He currently assists the Colombian Student Association at Purdue and is the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers academic advisor. Helps to connect students, professors, and researchers. He is an innovator of programs that reach across Purdue University with Colombia and Latin America. His work has had impactful results positioning Purdue as one of the main destinations for Colombian scholars in the U.S.
Lina Castaño
Controls Systems and Algorithms Engineer (space robotics) at NASA
She works as a control systems and algorithms engineer for the OSAM-1 project. She was awarded the Hal Andrews Young Engineer/Scientist Award for Work leading to the development and flight demonstration of collision avoidance aircraft safety software: Autonomous Intelligent Flight Management System, or AIFMS.
Leonardo Mariño
Stadtman Investigator of Epidemiology and Genetics Research Area at NIH
He uses integrative approaches to solve complex and challenging biological problems focused on reducing health disparities for underrepresented populations in the U.S. in the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD)
Sponsors
Síguenos en redes sociales