Pew Grants Funding to Biomedical Researchers in Latin America

Pew Grants Funding to Biomedical Researchers in Latin America

PR Newswire

PHILADELPHIA, June 30, 2026

16 scientists receive Advancement Awards to accelerate researchPHILADELPHIA, June 30, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The Pew Charitable Trusts announced today that 16 scientists were given an Advancement Award of $20,000 in funding to further their biomedical research in Latin America.

This one-time grant is given to alumni of the Pew Latin American Fellows Program in the Biomedical Sciences who have returned to the region and established a laboratory at an academic or research institution in the past five years. These funds help investigators purchase equipment and expand their research efforts in independent labs across Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, and Uruguay."Pew Latin American fellows are among the best and brightest biomedical scientists in the region," said Donna Frisby-Greenwood, Pew's senior vice president for Philadelphia and scientific advancement. "For 35 years, they have honed their skills in U.S. labs, with many returning to home to help strengthen scientific communities across countries. With this award, these 16 fellows will have new opportunities to follow their curiosity and help expand global scientific discovery."The Advancement Award, supported by Biohub, builds on Pew's decades-long commitment to bolstering innovative research across Latin America.The Pew Latin American Fellows Program provides early-career scientists with salary support to conduct postdoctoral training in the United States and offers additional funding as a launchpad for fellows who choose to start independent labs in Latin America. Nearly 70% of program participants, including these awardees, have returned to the region to establish their own labs.Advancement Award recipients are:Rodrigo A. Aguilar, Ph.D.2016 Pew Latin American FellowUniversidad Andrés BelloFernando J. Bustos, Ph.D.2015 Pew Latin American FellowUniversidad Andrés BelloDaiana A. Capdevila, Ph.D.2016 Pew Latin American Fellow2024 Pew Innovation Fund InvestigatorFundación Instituto LeloirJuan-Pablo Castillo, Ph.D.2015 Pew Latin American Fellow2025 Pew Innovation Fund InvestigatorCentro Interdisciplinario de Neurociencia de ValparaísoVictor H. Cornejo, Ph.D.2018 Pew Latin American FellowPontificia Universidad Católica de ChileJosé Duhart, Ph.D.2019 Pew Latin American FellowFundación Instituto Leloir & Universidad Nacional de QuilmesAndres A. Herrada, Ph.D.2013 Pew Latin American FellowUniversidad de ConcepciónBruno Manta, Ph.D.2015 Pew Latin American FellowInstitut Pasteur de MontevideoKarla F. Meza-Sosa, Ph.D.2015 Pew Latin American FellowInstituto Nacional de Neurología y Neurocirugía Manuel Velasco SuárezRafik Neme, Ph.D.2017 Pew Latin American FellowUniversidad del Norte, ColombiaPriscilla C. Olsen, Ph.D.2016 Pew Latin American FellowUniversidade Federal do Rio de JaneiroAna S. Peinetti, Ph.D.2017 Pew Latin American Fellow2024 Pew Innovation Fund InvestigatorInstituto de Química Física de los Materiales, Medio Ambiente y Energía (CONICET-Universidad de Buenos Aires)Hugo Sepúlveda, Ph.D.2018 Pew Latin American FellowInstituto de Ciencias Biomédicas - Universidad Andrés BelloJosé E. Soto, Ph.D.2017 Pew Latin American FellowUniversidad Nacional Autónoma de MéxicoPaulo José P. L. Teixeira, Ph.D.2013 Pew Latin American FellowUniversidade de São Paulo, Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de QueirozDaniela Paula de Toledo Thomazella, Ph.D.2014 Pew Latin American FellowUniversidade de São PauloFounded in 1948, The Pew Charitable Trusts uses data to make a difference. Pew addresses the challenges of a changing world by illuminating issues, creating common ground, and advancing ambitious projects that lead to tangible progress. Learn more at pew.org.Erin Davis, edavis@pewtrusts.org