Eight UNAB researchers integrate the ranking of the most cited academics in the world

Eight researchers from Universidad Andrés Bello (UNAB) were recognized in the most recent edition of the Ranking Top 2% Scientists, which highlights the most cited scientists worldwide. These are scientists whose work is most considered by other researchers when developing new knowledge.

The measurement is developed by Stanford University (USA) and the Elsevier publishing group, owner of Scopus, one of the most important databases in the field of citations and abstracts of scientific publications.

«This recognition reflects the commitment and excellence of our researchers, who are contributing to advances in areas as diverse as exact sciences, health, and engineering,» said Carolina Torrealba, Dean of Research and UNAB PhD.

«That eight UNAB academics are among the most cited scientists in the world is a fact that fills us with pride and reaffirms our purpose of promoting interdisciplinary and high-impact research,» she added.

UNAB researchers in the Top 2% worldwide

Now in its sixth edition, this prestigious ranking comprises approximately 230,000 researchers, representing about 2% of the world’s scientists.

The list, updated in September, highlights the world’s most cited leaders in scientific research over the past year, ranking them in 22 disciplines and 174 subfields of knowledge. The methodology considers the measurement of six indicators. These are: total citations, H-index, Hm-index (adjusted for the number of authors in an article), and number of citations as sole, first, or last author.

Rodrigo Ramírez-Campillo, an academic from the School of Kinesiology of the Faculty of Rehabilitation Sciences, is leading the participation of UNAB scientists in this measurement. His research focuses on identifying an optimal and efficient training model to improve the fitness and health of the general population.

In his opinion, this ranking offers an interesting and relevant analysis of the dissemination of research through scientific publications. «Although bibliometrics do not guide the research path, they may reflect the robustness of the research objectives, a perspective under which I am pleased to be included,» the academic said.

From the Faculty of Exact Sciences, Walter Orellana, Director of the Doctorate in Physical Sciences, and Patricia Pérez, an academic from the Department of Chemical Sciences, join the group.

Dr. Perez is proud to be included in the Top 2% of Scientists Ranking, which recognizes the effort and passion she has dedicated to her studies in physiochemistry and theoretical chemistry and the efforts of her team.

She also emphasized that it is an honor to be the only woman from Universidad Andrés Bello to make this list, which motivates her to continue. «I hope this recognition will encourage more young women to explore their scientific curiosity, pursue their passions without fear, and be confident in their ability to make significant contributions to knowledge.»

A Contribution to Different Areas of Knowledge

Three distinguished professors from the School of Life Sciences are included in the ranking: Claudio Cabello-Verrugio, an academic from the Department of Biological Sciences; Pablo Cruces, a researcher from the School of Veterinary Medicine; and Rubén Avendaño-Herrera, a researcher from the Center for Marine Research of Quintay, CIMARQ, Viña del Mar.

Professor Avendaño is grateful for this recognition and congratulates each member of his research team. «Their commitment is unique and is valued all the more because it is an unsought achievement.»

In this sense, he emphasized that the inclusion in this ranking shows that «the research and our scientific articles are consulted and cited by colleagues and students in Chile and the world.» This gives significant value to the studies they carry out, mainly on aquatic microorganisms and bacteria that affect the aquaculture industry, having recently discovered more than 15.

For Luca Tarisciotti, director of the Civil Electrical Engineering program and researcher at the Energy Transformation Center of the UNAB School of Engineering, being included in this ranking «is a source of pride and a recognition of the work I have done during my career on issues of electrical energy conversion. It also shows an international collaborative work and a global interest in my researched topics.»

Professor Tarisciotti primarily researches electrical energy conversion systems, electricity generation systems, renewable energy, green hydrogen, and electromobility.

Sven Eric Niklander, an academic at the Viña del Mar School of Dentistry, is also listed among the Top 2% Scientists Ranking.

Recognition of Scientific Trajectory

It should be noted that Stanford University and Elsevier’s rankings measure scientific productivity and professional career success. To this end, they created a second list highlighting the most cited scientists throughout their academic careers.

This list included the following researchers: Horacio B. Croxatto, an academic and researcher from the Faculty of Medicine at UNAB; Patricia Pérez, a researcher; and Walter Orellana and Rubén Avendaño-Herrera, both researchers.