ISGlobal celebra una estimulante reunión científica anual, con alianzas e impacto como hilo conductor
Judging by the comments of the more than 250 attendees, the ISGlobal annual scientific meeting, which took place on Tuesday, December 3 at the CosmoCaixa, was a clear success. The key to that success was the “action-packed agenda” prepared by the organizers Carmen Fernandez and Payam Dadvandincluding the keynote on frugal science delivered by Manu Prakashfrom Stanford University. In his words of welcome, Denise Nanichescientific director of ISGlobal, has already set the tone: «we have to ensure that our research goes beyond publications and reaches society.»
Frugal science: amplifying impact with low-cost solutions
“Don’t create a fountain pen that doesn’t eradicate ignorance and shame.” With this Arabic saying, Manu Prakash Introducing his motivational talk about science. frugalor how to invent solutions solutions that can be done to large scale. He presented examples of how he and his team have designed inexpensive tools that can reach everyone, everywhere, and help address some of the global challenges we face. To name a few: the folding telescope – a folding paper microscope that costs just one dollar – 1000 times less than an optical microscope – that has reached more than 2 million people around the world, forming the largest online microscopy community. oh the paper leak 20 cents, inspired by an old toy, capable of spinning biological samples at incredibly high speeds in places where there is no electricity. oh Assetan artificial intelligence-based application that identifies mosquito species by their buzz, allowing citizens to help track disease-carrying mosquitoes. oh octopusesa low-cost modular microscope powered by AI that can detect malaria parasites as well as bacteria in body fluids.
Beyond producing these tools, Prakash stressed the importance of making his designs of free access and share them from the beginning with the people who will use them. «Never forget to ask yourself who this science is for,» he urged. Many of their ideas have come from speaking with community health workers, who often have to carry out diagnoses “under a tree” and who they described as “the largest citizen science program in the world.”
The day before, Prakash met with Global Health Master’s students to share their ideas and showcase some of the tools developed by his lab.
Synergies between research programs
The five programs Recently restructured ISGlobal presented outstanding projects, with clear examples of synergies between programs and potential for social impact. Some examples include: DENTALa simple diagnostic test to simultaneously detect dengue and malaria infections in travelers; a new antimalarial compound that also appears to be effective, in vitrocontrary Leishmania and cruzi; an ongoing project in Sierra Leone to evaluate whether adding azithromycin to preventive malaria chemotherapy reduces child mortality; and early warning systems that can predict, and reduce, the health impacts of extreme heat and cold (Forecaster.health) or air pollution (Forecast-AIR).
The session also celebrated the recent renewal of the Severo Ochoa programfollowed by a round table on how to foster synergies between programs.
Equity, innovation and professional development.
The afternoon sessions delved into the gender equality in ISGlobal and in the reflections on the decolonization. The team of innovation presented concrete examples of how it is helping early or late-stage research projects protect intellectual property and find support and partnerships to develop and transfer their results as part of their path to impact.
Additionally, predoctoral and postdoctoral researchers had the opportunity to review some of their work and encourage an open discussion about the challenges and opportunities of being a young researcher at ISGlobal.
Looking to the future
In his closing remarks, the general director of ISGlobal, Quique BassatWith a touch of humor, he praised the quality of the presentations and expressed his belief that ISGlobal is now operating as “a single, united institution.” He highlighted the importance of “focusing on our work” given the current global political landscape, underlining the need to strengthen alliancesespecially in low- and middle-income countries. «We must firmly believe in the impact that we can generate,» he concludes.
Carmen and Payam wish to express their most sincere gratitude to those who collaborated in the organization of the event, especially Yolanda Sallares and Gemma Punyet.
