Interviews
Professor Sergio Lavandero: "The basis of change is to have a better education"
The outstanding researcher and son of public education was unanimously awarded the National Prize for Natural Sciences 2022. The award was given in recognition of his 35 years of outstanding scientific career, Research, clinical and academic, especially in the field of pathophysiology and chronic diseases. The current vice president of the Chilean Academy of Sciences is the researcher at the University of Chile with the highest number of publications and believes that the progress of society is based on quality education.
In this interview, the proud son of public education comments on the fundamental role that has a quality education in social change and progress in all its dimensions. The Professor of the Faculties of Medicine and Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences of the U. of Chile thanked the highest award granted in recognition of her outstanding career and highlights the influence that her teachers and students have had on her, as well as his alma mater.
– How have the last few days been after receiving the National Award?? What does this award mean to you??
Well, it's been a bit of a weird few days, it's like dreaming and not waking up yet. Everything has happened quickly, they warn you with a phone call and from there it is a maelstrom of events, a lot of communication with people from all over, of Chile, of the University, of students I had a long time ago. I go to a place and they recognize you. I've never had so many emails, whatsapps or phone calls. That's the first feeling. And also makes me reflect, look back and see what I've done, recognize who my formators were, as professors Mario Sapag-Hagar, Arturo Ferreira, Ramón Corbalán and a succession of people. You realize that you are also a product of the influence of these people.
But also thank you to the countless students who have worked with me. I had about 90 PhD students, like 40 master's degree and many undergraduate. And I really couldn't be talking to you today if I wasn't grateful for each of them' input.. A deep thank you also to the U. of Chile. It is a unique place where we can have a freedom to do, of being in contact with young people, with colleagues, with other disciplines. I believe that I could not have achieved my scientific development without the help of my dear U. of Chile
– What are you concentrating your work on now post-award?
The challenges remain. I continue with undergraduate teaching, I love being in touch with my students because that way I can link and motivate them. Something distinctive we have at the U. of Chile is the fact of being able to link teaching with research, but -on the other hand- I also love academic management and that's why I was a member of the Senate and I just renewed myself. I think it is a very interesting institution because it allows you to know precisely the diversity of the community of academics, officials and students. And that's the University.
– You are a child of public education, How do you see the University and the role of public education today??
Here we have to have a long-term vision. The U. of Chile has accompanied the history of the country, there have been many milestones in national history that have been convulsed and I believe that the role of our University is always to be at the side of the State of Chile, independent of the political color of a government, but to provide the best capabilities to meet the needs of our entire population.
Among the roles of the University, there are two very clear: the training of new professionals who are not only of excellence, but also committed to the challenges of both country and civilization. And, On the other hand, help both social and economic progress in all its dimensions, through research, innovation, technological development and also entrepreneurship. To reach a different level of development than we have and meet all these demands that we have objectively unmet, there must be economic and educational progress. I think the basis of change is to have a better education. and in Chile we have a responsibility that is the training of teachers.
– How to improve these aspects?
A deep debt we owe to society is not having a Faculty of Education. For me it's something that doesn't hold up.. I mean,, I think we should all put the best of our efforts into that goal., because if we want education to change and have a quality public education, we have to train teachers who are the pillar of all this.
Dissemination of science
– Spreading science is something important to you as well…
That's right, because scientists work as a team. The problems are very complex and, Therefore, these teams are multidisciplinary and then we have to move forward in what we call transdiscipline., i.e., also involve other actors than the traditional ones, and that is why the University has to have an open door policy. To encourage this approach to ordinary people, that you feel that this is your space, where you can enjoy good music, works of art, hear about scientific advances, hear of the story that is so important.
– What is the impact of this direct contact of specialists with the community??
Scientists have to be more in direct contact with our society and that is why the center I direct, the Center for advanced chronic diseases (ACCDiS ), a Fondap formed by the U. of Chile and the U. ACDDiS, is the only one to have a scientifically led Par Explora. Because I think we can give a new dimension to the communication of science and technology, but I also feel that it is an instrument to make changes. For example, we care about chronic non-communicable diseases, such as cardiovascular, diabetes, obesity and cancer, where you have to act very early, at kindergarten and basic education level. There we can not only stimulate the development of new generations of scientists, but also to help, for example, obesity in the future is not what it is today. We need that contact with the agents of change as well., as are the teachers.
– How are we Chileans in these chronic diseases??
It's actually not very auspicious., Because about 70% to 80% of Chileans die mainly from four incurable diseases, in order of importance: cardiovascular, cancer, chronic respiratory disease and diabetes. Today the resources we invest in health are poorly distributed, we should focus them primarily on prevention rather than treatment, because when this disease is actually declared we can minimize its impact, but we can't cure it.
The second thing we need is to do frontier research to understand how these pathologies originate and develop.. The world has shrunk with communications, and they allow us to no longer only face these tasks locally, but forming networks of international collaboration. Nowadays there are no limits for you to relate and take on this task.. Because unfortunately our National Health Survey shows us very worrying figures, for example, about 90% of Chileans are sedentary, 3/4 are obese, we eat poorly and smoke a lot. It is necessary to change these habits.
– How did you come from pharmaceutical chemistry to be an eminence in cardiology and pathophysiology??
You can reach the same destination by different paths. There is a lot of talent in Chile and that's why my thanks to these young generations that always drive you to go further. That's why I think the important thing is that we all have dreams, big dreams and that we strive with passion, with a lot of work to fulfill them.
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